Totally get where you’re coming from. I tried the tape thing my first winter here and it was decent for a quick fix, but I ended up with sticky edges and a weird line on the paint that never really went away. Switched to rope caulk last year—definitely not pretty, but my living room wasn’t freezing for once. Sometimes you just have to accept the old house quirks and go for whatever keeps the wind out, even if it’s not exactly Pinterest-worthy.
I totally get the sticky tape struggle—had the same issue last month. Here’s what I did: first, cleaned the window frame (which probably helped a bit), then tried the tape, but it peeled up at the corners. Next, I used that clear plastic shrink film kit—hair dryer and all. Not exactly pretty, but it actually blocked the draft better than just tape alone. Still, I’m wondering if rope caulk is easier to remove in spring? Anyone else run into paint damage with these fixes?
“Still, I’m wondering if rope caulk is easier to remove in spring? Anyone else run into paint damage with these fixes?”
That’s the thing with all these “quick fix” window sealers—none of them are as simple as the packaging makes it sound. Last winter, I tried rope caulk on two of my old wood windows (house is 1960s, paint’s seen better days). It did block the draft better than tape or those foam strips, but when I pulled it off in April, a couple spots left behind this oily residue. Didn’t peel the paint, but it looked a little grimy until I scrubbed it off. Not a huge deal, just annoying.
The shrink film kits…yeah, they work, but man do they look janky if you have to open the window even once during the season. The plastic gets all wrinkled and the tape doesn’t always stick back down. Plus, I swear that sticky stuff leaves a faint line on my trim every year—maybe that’s just me being picky.
I keep hearing people swear by painter’s tape under the shrink film for easier removal, but honestly, it never stuck well enough for me and just made the seal worse. Maybe my frames are too rough? Or maybe it’s just one of those things that works in theory.
If you’re worried about paint damage, rope caulk seems less risky than some of those heavy-duty tapes. But if your paint is already flaky or old (like mine), even gentle stuff can pull up chips. I’ve started leaning toward the removable silicone caulk for really bad leaks—messy to apply, but peels off cleanly in spring and hasn’t wrecked my trim yet.
Honestly, none of these are perfect. I’d love to hear if anyone’s found something that actually holds up through a full winter without leaving a mess behind…
I tried the shrink film last winter and honestly, it worked okay until my cat decided the plastic was a new toy. After that, it just looked sad and crinkly. I’m with you on the painter’s tape thing—it never stuck to my old trim either, just made a mess. Rope caulk was easier to deal with for me, but I did notice a weird residue too. Haven’t found anything perfect yet... maybe I’ll try that removable silicone next round.
After that, it just looked sad and crinkly.
That’s exactly what happened at my place—my dog didn’t even touch the shrink film, but it still got all wrinkled and weird after a couple weeks. Maybe it’s just old windows or the way the sun hits them? Painter’s tape was a bust for me too... half stuck, half peeling off, and a mess to clean up. I tried that removable silicone last year and honestly, it worked better than expected, but getting it out of the little cracks was kind of a pain in the neck. Still hunting for something that doesn’t make me want to give up halfway through winter.
I hear you on the painter’s tape—tried that once and ended up with sticky residue that took longer to clean than it did to apply in the first place. It’s frustrating how some of these “easy fixes” just create new headaches. I’ve had similar luck (or lack thereof) with shrink film. On my north-facing windows, it stays taut for a while, but the ones that get afternoon sun start sagging and looking rough by January. Think it’s partly old wood frames expanding and contracting, plus the sunlight making things brittle.
Removable silicone was a step up for me too, but like you said, getting it out of every little crevice in spring is tedious. I had to use a plastic scraper and still found bits months later. The upside was that it actually sealed out drafts pretty well, so maybe worth the hassle if you can stand the cleanup.
One thing I’ve tried lately is weatherstripping foam tape—the kind with adhesive backing. Not perfect, but it’s cheap, goes on quick, and peels off cleaner than painter’s tape in my experience. Downside is if your window frames are uneven (like mine), you might need to layer or double up in spots.
Honestly, I don’t think there’s a magic bullet for old windows unless you’re ready to replace them altogether—and that’s a whole other can of worms (and cash). Until then, I just keep experimenting each winter and hope for something that actually sticks (literally and figuratively). At least we’re not alone in fighting the draft battle...
Man, I totally get where you’re coming from—sometimes it feels like every “fix” just adds a new problem. I’ve had the same battle with shrink film and painter’s tape (that sticky gunk is unreal). The foam tape has been my go-to lately too, but yeah, those uneven old frames are a pain. Still, you’re right: nothing’s perfect, but every little bit helps, and it’s kind of satisfying when you can actually feel less draft for once. At least we’re all in the same leaky boat...
Those uneven frames are the worst, aren’t they? I’ve run into the same issue in my 1950s place—nothing is square, and sometimes I feel like I’m just taping over history. Foam tape did help a bit, especially when I doubled it up in the really bad spots, but I still get a faint draft here and there. Still, like you said, it’s kind of rewarding when you notice the room’s actually holding heat better. Not perfect, but definitely progress...
Totally get what you mean about taping over history—my house is from the early 60s and not a single window is straight. I’ve tried a few different foam tapes and, yeah, doubling up helps, but it’s never a total fix. One winter I even stuffed some old towels in the worst spots just to get by. Still, like you said, when the room actually stays warm, it feels like a little victory... even if it’s not museum-quality work.
That towel trick is a classic—I've definitely been there. My windows are so wonky that I swear they were installed by a team of pirates. I tried the shrink-wrap plastic kits last winter, and it actually helped more than the foam tape, though it looked a bit like a science experiment gone wrong. Ever tried those? Wondering if it’s worth doing both or if I’m just making my living room into a greenhouse...