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I Finally Fixed My Drafty Apartment Windows Without Calling My Landlord
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items If you can literally feel cold air pouring through your windows every time the heat kicks on, and your landlord takes three weeks to respond to a text, this is everything I used to seal things up myself. No tools, no permanent changes, no security de...
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Window Insulation Film Kits That Actually Block Cold Air
Weatherstrip Tape for Window Gaps and Leaks
Draft Stoppers for Window Sills and Bottoms
Thermal Curtains That Trap Heat Inside
Caulk and Sealant for Cracks Around Window Frames
Window Insulation Accessories and Tools
Window Insulation Film Kits That Actually Block Cold Air
I used to stuff towels along my windowsills like some kind of survival situation. These film kits took maybe 20 minutes per window and the difference was immediate. My radiator finally stopped running nonstop.
Grab this before November hits. I did five windows in one afternoon and my heating bill dropped noticeably the next month. Perfect for renters who need something removable.
Duck Brand Window Insulation Film Kit, 62 in. x 420
Use this if your windows are the old single-pane type that feel like they're made of paper. Applied it with a hair dryer in minutes. My roommate thought I'd replaced the actual windows.
3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit Insulates 5 - 3'x5' Windows
Stock up on this one if you have a lot of windows to cover. Nine windows for cheap, and the shrink film pulls tight without any wrinkles. Saved me from buying space heaters.
Frost King, Indoor Window Insulation Kit, 42 in. x 62 in.
Try this for bigger windows or sliding glass doors. You cut it to size from one big roll instead of fiddling with pre-cut sheets. Way less waste if your windows are odd sizes.
Duck Brand, 62 Inch X 210 Inch Window Insulation Film Kit
Keep this in mind for those oversized living room windows. The XL sheets actually cover the whole frame without needing to patch pieces together. Looks way cleaner too.
3M Indoor Oversized Window Insulator Kit, 1 Kit
Switch to this if the frosted look of regular film drives you crazy. It dries almost invisible. My bedroom window looked totally normal and still blocked the draft completely.
Thermwell Frost King Shrink Film Window Kit
Pair this with the hair dryer trick and it seals tighter than anything else I tried. For anyone in a really old building where the frames are slightly warped, this one conforms better.
Duck Max Strength Window Insulation Film Kit, ...
Weatherstrip Tape for Window Gaps and Leaks
After the film went up, I could still feel air sneaking through the edges where the window meets the frame. Weatherstrip tape closed those gaps and I kicked myself for not doing it years earlier.
Toss this along the top and sides of any window that rattles when the wind blows. Peels off clean in spring. I did every window in my apartment for under ten bucks.
Duck Brand Extra Large Gap Foam Weather Stripping Seal
Use this for slightly bigger gaps. The rubber foam compresses when you close the window and springs back when you open it. My kitchen window went from whistling to dead silent.
Frost King Weatherstrip Tape, Self-Adhesive Foam Rubber
Grab this if you hate the look of foam strips. It's clear, thin, and honestly hard to notice once it's on. Great for anyone whose landlord does random inspections.
3M Interior Transparent Weather Sealing Tape
Try the V-shape style if foam keeps getting crushed flat in your window tracks. It flexes instead of compressing, so it lasts way longer. Still going strong after two winters on my bedroom windows.
M-D Building Products 3525 M-D 0 V-Flex Weather-Strip
Snag this for bathroom or kitchen windows where moisture is a problem. Regular foam gets gross fast in humid rooms. The silicone version stays put and doesn't grow mold.
Duck Brand Rubber Seal, White, .38in x .25in x 17ft
For anyone dealing with metal window frames that get ice cold, this thicker rubber tape adds a real barrier. Pressed it along the frame edges and stopped getting condensation puddles on the sill.
Frost King, Sponge Rubber Foam Tape, R734H, 3/4" W x 7
Swap to this if your double-hung windows have gaps along the sides where they slide. Tucks right into the channel. Took me five minutes per window and the draft just stopped.
M-D Building Products Vinyl Gasket Weatherstrip 1/2-Inch
Draft Stoppers for Window Sills and Bottoms
The bottom of my windows was where most of the cold air poured in. I could hold a candle near the sill and watch it flicker. These stoppers fixed that without any screws or adhesive damage.
Get this for the bottom sill where cold air pools. It's adjustable so it fits different window widths without cutting. My feet finally stopped going numb sitting near the window.
MAXTID Adjustable Door Draft Stopper 36 Inch Black Seal
Repurpose this door stopper along a wide windowsill. Sounds weird but it worked perfectly on my ground-floor windows. The adhesive strip holds but peels off clean later.
Suptikes Door Draft Stopper Under Door Seals for Exterior
Bring one of these to a window that slides up and down. Wedge it at the base and the foam compresses right against the gap. Two in the pack so you can do the bedroom and living room.
Door Draft Stopper, Door Stoppers for Bottom
Try this along your windowsill if you want something you can remove and reposition easily. No adhesive needed. Just press it into the gap and the double-sided foam does the rest.
Holikme Under Door Draft Stopper Seal
Use the silicone version if you need something waterproof along the sill. My old apartment had condensation dripping down the glass all winter. This caught it and blocked the draft at the same time.
MAGZO T-Shaped Silicone Weather Stripping Door Seal
Grab a roll and run it along the bottom track of sliding windows. For anyone whose windows don't quite close flush anymore, this fills that annoying little gap perfectly.
fowong AC Window Seal Foam Tape, 2" x 1" Thick Weather
Keep this on hand for those tiny cracks that foam tape is too bulky for. It's thin enough to tuck into narrow gaps without preventing the window from closing properly.
Self Adhesive Foam Seal Strip Weatherstripping for Doors
Thermal Curtains That Trap Heat Inside
Once the windows were sealed, I realized my thin curtains were basically decorative napkins. Switching to thermal curtains made the room feel five degrees warmer without touching the thermostat.
Hang these and feel the difference the same night. I went from sleeping in a hoodie to kicking off the blanket. The blackout feature also killed the streetlight glare in my bedroom.
NICETOWN, Blackout Curtains, Thermal Insulated
Snag these if you're on a budget. They're cheaper than most thermal curtains but the triple-weave fabric actually blocks cold air. My studio apartment stayed noticeably warmer.
BGment Printed Blackout Curtains for Bedroom with Birds
Try the silver backing version for maximum insulation. Held my hand between the curtain and the window one morning and the temperature difference was wild. Keeps summer heat out too.
Deconovo, Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
Get these in a lighter color if you don't want your room to feel like a cave. They still block drafts but let the room look bright during the day. Perfect for small apartments.
Customer reviews for DWCN Blackout Curtains ...
Use these for living room windows where you want something that looks a little more put together. Thick enough to block drafts but they drape nicely instead of hanging like a tarp.
H.VERSAILTEX Thermal Insulated 100% Blackout Curtains
Pair these with your window film if you're near a busy street. They block noise AND cold air. My apartment faces a highway and these turned my bedroom into a quiet, warm cocoon.
RYB HOME Soundproof Curtains 84in 3 Layers
Swap your old curtains for these if you want a single panel per window. The rod pocket design makes them sit flush against the wall so cold air can't sneak around the sides.
Sun Zero, Room Darkening Curtain Panel, 54" x 84", Black
Caulk and Sealant for Cracks Around Window Frames
Found actual visible cracks around two of my window frames where the old caulk had dried up and crumbled. Filling those in was the single biggest improvement. Took ten minutes and the draft vanished.
Use this for cracks along the interior window frame. It's paintable so your landlord won't even notice you fixed their neglected window. Dries in a couple hours and cleans up with water.
DAP 100% Silicone 9.8 oz Clear Rubber Window
Grab the silicone version for any window near the shower or kitchen sink. Water won't break it down over time. My bathroom window had a gap you could see daylight through and this sealed it permanently.
GE Silicone II Window & Door Sealant, Black, 10.1 oz Tube
Try this if you've never caulked anything before. The squeeze tube means no caulk gun needed. Literally just squeeze and smooth. My first attempt looked surprisingly professional.
Red Devil 0848 House And Home Repair Window/Door
Keep this around for those spots where old caulk peeled away from tile near a window. Sticks to basically anything and stays flexible so it won't crack again next winter.
Henkel Loctite Polyseamseal Tub & Tile Adhesive Caulk
Snag this hybrid formula if you want something that's easy to apply like latex but waterproof like silicone. Best of both. Filled the gaps around my bedroom window and painted right over it.
DAP, All Purpose Acrylic Latex Caulk Plus Silicone
For anyone with a window above the kitchen sink that leaks cold air every time it rains, this stuff handles moisture and temperature swings without peeling. Applied it once, forgot about it.
GE Advanced Silicone Kitchen & Bath Sealant, 10.1 fl oz
Get this starter kit if you have zero supplies. Comes with the caulk and a smoothing tool so you don't have to use your finger. Makes the whole process way less messy.
Red Devil, Wall Filler, 8 oz, Lightweight Premixed Spackling
Window Insulation Accessories and Tools
Learned the hard way that having the right tools makes window insulation go three times faster. My first attempt with just scissors and my hands was a disaster. These small purchases saved me hours.
Use a hair dryer to shrink window film tight and wrinkle-free. I borrowed one the first year and bought this cheap one just for insulation day. Works perfectly and now I own a backup hair dryer.
Conair Mid-Size Dryer, 1875 Watts, 2 Heat/Speed Settings
Grab this specific tape for attaching window film. Regular double-sided tape doesn't hold. Learned that lesson when my film fell down at 3am in January. This stuff actually sticks all winter.
Duck Brand 1.41 in. x 8 yd. White Double Sided Duct Tape
Keep a roll handy for reinforcing edges where film meets the frame. If a corner starts peeling mid-season, one strip of this buys you another few months without redoing the whole window.
Scotch, Heavy Duty Packaging Tape, Clear, 1.88" x 54.6
Ditch whatever dull scissors you've been using. Clean cuts on window film matter more than you'd think. Jagged edges peel up faster. These cut straight lines without dragging the plastic.
Fiskars 8 Inch Original, Orange Handled Scissors for Adults
Measure your windows before buying film or you'll end up short on one window and waste a sheet on another. Took me exactly four minutes to measure every window in my apartment.
Stanley Powerlock Tape Measure, 25-Ft. x 1-In. 1 Pack
Toss this on the wall around your window frame before applying caulk. Peel it off for clean lines and no mess. Especially helpful if you have textured walls that make caulk spread everywhere.
Customer reviews for Scotch Blue Painter's Tape
Try this instead of dragging your finger through wet caulk. Different tip sizes for different gap widths. My caulk lines went from looking like a toddler did them to actually smooth.
DAP Pro Caulk Caulking Tool Kit
Portable Heaters for Rooms That Stay Cold Despite Everything
Some rooms just stay colder than others no matter how well you seal the windows. My home office faces north and gets zero sun. A small heater under my desk finally made it bearable without blasting the whole apartment.
Toss this under your desk and your feet will actually be warm while you work. For anyone who works from home in a cold apartment, this thing replaced the blanket I used to wrap around my legs.
Lasko 1500W Ceramic Tower Heater, Oscillating
Grab this tiny heater for a bathroom or small bedroom. It's barely bigger than a coffee maker but puts out real heat. My bathroom went from freezing to comfortable in about five minutes.
Honeywell UberHeater Ceramic Heater HCE200W, White
Use this if you want something that heats an entire room without blowing air around. Silent operation means it won't wake you up cycling on and off. Ran it in my bedroom all last winter.
De'Longhi 1500W Convection Panel Heater, Quiet
Switch to an oil-filled radiator if you hate the dry air from ceramic heaters. This one keeps my living room warm and my skin doesn't crack. Stays warm even after you turn it off.
Pelonis HO-0221 600/900/1500 Watt White Oil Filled Heater
Try this for a medium-sized room that never warms up evenly. The vortex air circulation thing actually works. No more hot spot right next to the heater and freezing across the room.
Vornado VH200 Space Heater with Vortex Circulation
Keep this as a backup heater for guests or for moving room to room. Light enough to carry with one hand. Heats up fast and has an auto-shutoff so you won't burn your apartment down.
Amazon Basics Portable Space Heater with Remote
Snag this if you want something that looks decent sitting out in your living room. Most space heaters look industrial. This one actually blends in and the oscillating feature spreads heat evenly.
DREO, Space Heaters for Inside, 1500W Ceramic