Weatherproofing a Drafty Old Window

Before we left our Midwest home to move to DC twelve years ago, we had literally renovated the whole place from top to bottom. That renovation included updating and replacing all the windows. We no longer had to hang and remove storm windows every year and everything was finally toasty and warm in winter. Then we moved here to an 1890’s building that was updated with the cheapest windows you could possibly have. In one unit we have honeycomb shades with a second layer of blackout shades. Even with that the howling north wind blows right through. But what’s even worse is the large window in our bedroom. Unfortunately this window only has regular old wooden blinds that have no insulation and barely close off the elements. You can’t use the typical 3M window weather barrier on it because of the shade and it is recessed about a foot in from the wall. We don’t intend to ever put up heavy drapes, so we got some weatherproof tape and foam strip to see if it would make any difference. I spent the afternoon taping the lousy window up - hardly making a difference. That included stuffing some old towels along the bottom. This window is very difficult to open and close and just simply needs to be changed - along with all the others. Perhaps we make get sick enough to do something about it. My husband sleeps closer to the window. So I guess we’ll have to wait until he’s had enough - and it’s not even winter yet.