20 Cheap Weatherproofing Tricks Your Grandparents Swore By
This list provides time-tested weatherproofing tricks that keep homes warm and energy bills low without breaking the bank.
- Daisy Montero
- 6 min read
Your grandparents knew how to keep a house warm in winter and cool in summer without relying on expensive upgrades. Their clever weatherproofing tricks, using affordable and readily available materials, have stood the test of time. Here are 20 classic weatherproofing tricks that will save you money while keeping your home comfortable.
1. Seal Drafty Doors with Homemade Draft Snakes
https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/sc0744.photos.150154p on Wikimedia Commons
Your grandparents stuffed old socks or fabric tubes with rice or sand to block cold air from sneaking in under the doors. These homemade draft stoppers are easy to make and far cheaper than store-bought alternatives. Place them along doorways to instantly reduce drafts and lower heating costs.
2. Cover Windows with Plastic Sheeting
MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
Instead of replacing drafty windows, your grandparents stretched plastic sheeting over them to trap heat. Secure it with tape or a hairdryer for a snug fit that acts as an extra insulation layer. This simple trick prevents cold air from seeping in and reduces energy loss.
3. Use Heavy Curtains for Extra Insulation
nazlisanova on Pexels
Thick, layered curtains kept homes warm before double-pane windows were common. Your grandparents knew that fabric traps heat, making heavy drapes a must for winter. Keep them closed at night to lock in warmth and open them during the day to let in the sun’s heat.
4. Place Rugs on Cold Floors
Andrea Davis on Pexels
Wooden and tile floors get chilly in winter, but large area rugs provide insulation. Your grandparents layered rugs over bare floors to prevent heat loss and keep feet warm. This old trick is an easy way to make any room feel cozier.
5. Line Walls with Bookshelves for Extra Insulation
Max Vakhtbovycn on Pexels
A wall lined with books isn’t just for decoration—your grandparents knew it also acted as an extra layer of insulation. The books trap heat, keeping rooms warmer. It’s a clever and practical way to weatherproof any home.
6. Apply Weatherstripping to Windows and Doors
Amelie W on Pexels
Before modern weatherproofing materials, your grandparents used felt or fabric strips to seal gaps around windows and doors. Modern weatherstripping works the same way, keeping warm air in and cold air out. It’s a quick and inexpensive fix for drafty spots.
7. Hang Quilts or Blankets Over Windows
KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels
In harsh winters, families hung thick quilts over windows to block out drafts. This trick works wonders for poorly insulated homes, adding an extra barrier against the cold. It is a great solution for rooms that feel extra chilly in the winter months.
8. Use Bubble Wrap for Extra Windows Insulation
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Bubble wrap may seem like a packaging material, but it also makes an excellent window insulator. Your grandparents might not have used it, but they would have loved how it traps heat inside. Simply spray water on the window and press bubble wrap against it for an instant insulation layer.
9. Close Off Unused Rooms to Conserve Heat
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Your grandparents knew that heating empty rooms wasted energy, so they shut doors to keep warmth where needed most. This simple habit prevents heat from escaping and helps maintain a comfortable temperature—a free and effective way to cut heating costs.
10. Keep the Oven Door Open After Cooking
Mikhail Nilov in Pexels
When your grandparents baked in the winter, they left the oven door open afterward to let the residual heat warm up the kitchen. This trick uses heat that would otherwise go to waste. Just be sure to turn off the oven first and keep small children away.
11. Insulate Attic with Old Clothes or Newspapers
Roman Biernacki on Pexels
Before modern insulation, attics were lined with old clothes, newspapers, or straw to trap heat. These materials created a barrier that helped homes stay warmer in winter. It is a low-cost way to boost insulation without major renovations.
12. Use a Wood Stove or Fireplace Efficiently
ArtHouse Studio on Pexels
Grandparents knew how to maximize heat from a wood stove or fireplace. They burned seasoned wood for cleaner, hotter flames and placed a kettle on top to add humidity. These small tricks made a big difference in heating efficiently.
13. Warm Up with Clay Pots Over Candles
Maria Orlova on Pexels
A clay pot heater captures and radiates heat from candles, providing warmth without electricity. Your grandparents may have used this trick in drafty rooms to stay cozy. It is a clever, low-cost way to generate heat in emergencies.
14. Block Chimney Drafts When Not in Use
Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
An open chimney lets warm air escape, making heating less effective. When the fireplace was not in use, grandparents blocked drafts with chimney balloons, metal plates, or even rolled-up blankets. This simple trick prevented heat loss and saved money on heating bills.
15. Keep Oven Door Open After Baking
cottonbro studio on Pexels
After baking, your grandparents left the oven door open to let the warmth spread through the kitchen. This added heat made the home feel cozier, reducing the need for extra heating. It is a simple way to make the most of residual warmth.
16. Dry Clothes Indoors to Add Humidity
Ron Lach on Pexels
Hanging wet laundry indoors during winter adds much-needed humidity to dry air. Your grandparents relied on this trick to prevent dry skin and keep rooms feeling warmer. It is a practical way to improve air quality while cutting energy costs.
17. Use Straw Bales Against Exterior Walls
Fly on Wikimedia Commons
Stacking straw bales along exterior walls provided extra insulation against winter winds. Your grandparents used this trick to protect their homes from the cold. It is an old-school method that still works for outbuildings or temporary weatherproofing.
18. Heat Bricks to Warm Beds
Şeyma Alkaş on Pexels
Before electric blankets, bricks were heated in ovens or fireplaces and wrapped in fabric to warm beds. Your grandparents placed them at their feet for lasting warmth through the night, a great trick for staying cozy on chilly evenings.
19. Keep a Kettle Boiling for Extra Warmth
Artem Mizyuk on Pexels
A boiling kettle not only made tea but also added warmth and humidity to the home. Your grandparents relied on this method to prevent dry air from making rooms feel colder. A warm cup of tea and a cozier house, all in one trick.
20. Make a DIY Insulated Window Cover
Erik Mclean on Pexels
Instead of replacing windows, your grandparents made thick fabric, cardboard, or foil-insulated covers. These DIY covers kept the cold out and the warmth in, especially at night. They were a budget-friendly alternative to expensive window upgrades.