Struggling to keep drafts out—window sealing tape worth it?

The tape works for a season or two if you’re lucky, but after that it starts peeling, at least in my place.

I hear you on the tape peeling. Honestly, I used to swear by that stuff—until I got tired of redoing it every year. One winter, I tried those foam gaskets behind the outlet covers, and it made a bigger difference than I expected. The drafts through the outlets are sneaky, right? Tape’s fine for a quick fix, but after a while I just bit the bullet and upgraded to better storm windows. Not cheap, but I’m way less grumpy in February now.

Tape’s fine for a quick fix, but after a while I just bit the bullet and upgraded to better storm windows.

I get the appeal of storm windows, but honestly, I’ve stuck with tape and caulk for years and it’s held up okay—maybe it’s the milder winters here? I do wonder if it’s more about the prep than the product. Anyone else find that cleaning the frame really well beforehand helps the tape last longer? I haven’t had the peeling issue as much since I started doing that.

I do wonder if it’s more about the prep than the product. Anyone else find that cleaning the frame really well beforehand helps the tape last longer?

Totally agree, cleaning makes a huge difference. I used to just slap tape on and wonder why it peeled off by January... turns out, dust and old paint aren’t exactly a good base. After I started scrubbing down the frames first, I got way fewer drafts and the tape actually stayed put through the season. Maybe not as fancy as storm windows, but it works for my budget (and patience level). Anyone else have trouble with tape sticking to older wood frames? Mine are like 80 years old—sometimes feels like they repel everything.

Old wood frames are a whole different beast, honestly. I’ve got a 1920s bungalow and the windows have seen better days—sometimes it feels like the tape is just hanging on for dear life. Here’s what’s worked for me, for what it’s worth:

First, I use a little rubbing alcohol after the usual cleaning—just a quick wipe-down to get rid of any leftover grime or oils. Makes a difference, at least on my painted sills. If there’s any old, crusty paint flaking off, I try to sand it lightly... not always fun, but it helps the tape grip instead of peeling up with the next cold snap.

One thing I noticed: if the wood is really dry (which mine definitely is), sometimes it drinks up moisture and the tape doesn’t stick as well. A quick pass with a hairdryer (low heat) seems to help dry things out before sticking anything on.

Still, even with all that prep, I get a few corners peeling by February. Maybe that’s just old house charm? At least it keeps me busy in the winter.

- Totally hear you on the “old house charm”—sometimes it feels like no matter what you do, those corners just want to peel.
- Your prep steps already sound solid. That rubbing alcohol trick is underrated, honestly.
- I’ve had similar luck with a hairdryer, but I’ll admit, some of my tape just won’t stick through a Midwest winter. It’s not always user error—sometimes the wood’s just too thirsty.
- Even if it’s not perfect, every little bit helps. You’re definitely making a difference in keeping drafts out. Old windows are stubborn, but you’re giving them a fighting chance.
- If nothing else, it’s a good excuse to get creative with solutions... and maybe sneak in a hot drink while you’re at it.

- Had a client with a 1920s bungalow—those original windows just never want to cooperate, no matter how well you prep.
-

“sometimes the wood’s just too thirsty.”

Those old bungalows are notorious for this. Tape’s hit or miss—if the wood’s too dry or even a bit dusty, it just peels off after a week. Sometimes I’ll give the frame a quick wipe with denatured alcohol, let it dry, then try tape, but honestly, rope caulk’s usually more forgiving. Not the prettiest, but when it’s below freezing, I’ll take function over looks. Hot coffee definitely helps when you’re on your third window and your fingers are numb...

That’s the story of my winters, right there—fiddling with tape and caulk while my toes go numb. I hear you on the tape being finicky. My place was built in the late 40s, and the wood frames have seen better days. I can’t count how many times I’ve pressed tape down, only to see it curling up by the weekend. Wiping down with alcohol does help, but if there’s even a hint of old paint flaking, forget about it.

Rope caulk’s been my go-to, too. It’s not going to win any beauty contests, but when you’re desperate to keep that icy draft from creeping in at 2am, you stop caring what the window looks like. I remember one year I tried the shrink film kits—hair dryer and all. It worked... for about a month, then my cat decided it was a new toy. That was the end of that experiment.

Coffee definitely helps—though I’ve switched to gloves with the fingertips cut off so I don’t completely lose feeling by the last window. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth all the effort, but then I remember what my heating bill looked like before I started patching things up. Not perfect, but the living room’s a lot more livable now.

Don’t let the tape failures get you down. These old houses are stubborn, but every little bit helps. And if it takes a little ugly caulk or some creative layering, well, that’s just part of the charm, right?

That’s honestly the reality with these old windows—sometimes you just have to accept a bit of “ugly” for the sake of comfort. Have you ever tried using a primer or sealant on those flaky frames before taping? It can help, but it’s extra work. Between the tape battles and the heating bill, I’d say you’re definitely winning more than you think. Every draft you block is money saved, even if it’s not perfect.

Can’t tell you how many times I’ve stared at a window frame, tape in hand, wondering if it’s even worth the hassle. I totally get what you mean about the “ugly”—sometimes you just gotta pick comfort over looks, especially with older windows. I’ve run into those flaky, crumbly frames more times than I’d like. Primer does help, but honestly, I usually just give it a quick scrape and go straight for the tape because, let’s face it, no one’s inspecting the windows that closely in January.

One winter, I tried to be fancy and used a sealant first. It looked better, but it took twice as long and my hands were freezing by the end. If the tape sticks and you feel less of a draft, I call that a win. Plus, as you said, every little bit helps with that heating bill. Sometimes “good enough” is all you need to get through the season.