felt like living in Tupperware, and still got condensation.
Interesting you mention condensation—did you notice if it was worse on the glass or the frame? I’ve always wondered if sealing up too tightly actually traps more moisture inside, especially in older houses with less ventilation.
Yeah, that’s a good point about trapping moisture. I’ve noticed with my 1950s place, after I put up the window sealing film last winter, the condensation actually got worse on the glass, especially in the mornings. The frames (mine are old wood) didn’t sweat as much, but the glass would fog up and sometimes even drip. I guess the tape does a great job blocking drafts, but then all the humidity from showers, cooking, and just breathing has nowhere to go.
I tried cracking a window in the bathroom a bit more and running the fan longer, which helped some, but it’s definitely a tradeoff. If you’ve got newer windows or better ventilation, it might not be as much of an issue. But in drafty old houses, sealing everything up tight can turn your place into a greenhouse. Not sure there’s a perfect fix—just gotta balance warmth and fresh air, I guess.
That’s the tricky part, isn’t it? You seal up the drafts and suddenly you’re fighting off condensation instead. I had a similar issue after insulating my 60s-era windows—kept the place warmer, but the bathroom mirror and window would fog up way more. Ended up having to use a dehumidifier some days just to keep things in check. Out of curiosity, have you ever tried those moisture absorber tubs or silica packs near your windows? I haven’t gone that route yet, but I’ve heard mixed things.
Funny you mention those moisture absorber tubs—tried them one winter when my old sash windows started sweating like crazy after I sealed up every crack. They did collect some water, but honestly, it felt more like a band-aid than a fix. The dehumidifier was way more effective, though a bit of a power hog. I found cracking the bathroom window just a tad during showers helped too, even if it felt counterintuitive after all that work sealing things up. Never tried silica packs by the window, but I imagine they’d fill up pretty fast if you’ve got real condensation issues.
Window sealing tape is a bit of a mixed bag in my experience. I slapped some on my 1930s casement windows last fall, hoping for a miracle. It definitely cut down the draftiness, but then I started getting condensation around the edges—guess the moisture decided to hang out instead of escaping. The tape held up fine through winter, but come spring, peeling it off left a sticky mess that took ages to scrub away. If you’re after a quick fix, it works, but be ready for some cleanup later.
That sticky residue is the worst—I’ve been there too. I found that using a bit of rubbing alcohol helps, but it’s still a pain. Have you tried weatherstripping foam instead? It’s less messy to remove, though maybe not as airtight. Curious if you noticed any mold or just the condensation?
I’ve had that same issue with the sticky mess—especially when it gets hot and the tape kind of melts into the window frame. You mentioned condensation, but have you noticed if it’s worse in certain rooms or just on specific windows? I’m curious if airflow in the house makes a difference. Also, has anyone tried those magnetic window insulator kits? I keep seeing them online but not sure if they’re worth the extra cost.
Also, has anyone tried those magnetic window insulator kits? I keep seeing them online but not sure if they’re worth the extra cost.
I caved and bought one of those magnetic kits for my draftiest window last winter. Honestly, it was way less of a sticky disaster than tape, and easier to pop off for fresh air. Downside: the magnets are a bit finicky if your window frames aren’t totally flat. Not cheap, but my sanity was worth it after scraping goo off the paint every spring...
That’s a solid point about the sticky residue—tape can be a pain to get off, especially on older painted frames. I’ve installed a few magnetic kits for clients, and they’re definitely easier to remove and reuse, but yeah, if your window trim isn’t perfectly flat or has layers of old paint, you might have to fiddle with the magnets to get a good seal. Did you notice any condensation issues with the kit? Sometimes that pops up if the seal’s not tight enough.
I’ve installed a few magnetic kits for clients, and they’re definitely easier to remove and reuse, but yeah, if your window trim isn’t perfectly flat or has layers of old paint, you might have to fiddle with the magnets to get a good seal.
Yeah, that’s been my experience too. The magnets are great in theory, but old trim that’s bumpy or has those paint drips can throw things off. I’ve had to shim the corners with weatherstripping just to get the kit to sit flush. Curious—did you find the magnetic strips held up over winter, or did they start to sag or lose grip after a few months? I always wonder if it’s worth the extra hassle compared to just dealing with sticky tape residue.