The $12 Fix That Stopped My Drafty Windows
Every winter the same thing: one corner of the living room that stays five degrees colder than everywhere else, and a heating bill that makes me wince. This year I finally did something about it, and it cost twelve bucks.
What I used: rope caulk. It's basically a putty cord — you press it into the gaps around window frames with your thumb. No tools, no curing time, no mess.
How it went: I did the candle test first — hold a lit candle near the window edges on a windy day and watch the flame dance. Found three windows leaking air. Pressed the rope caulk into every gap I could find, which took maybe 20 minutes total for all three.
The honest part: this is a band-aid, not a cure. If your windows are 30 years old and the seals are shot, rope caulk won't fix that — it'll just buy you a warmer winter while you save for replacements. And it's not pretty up close, so don't use it on the windows your guests stare through.
The verdict: that cold corner is gone. The candle flame doesn't move anymore. For twelve dollars and twenty minutes, that's the best ROI of any home project I've done this year.
Tip: buy two packs. You'll find more gaps than you expect once you start looking.
