Yeah, foam tape outdoors is pretty much doomed from the start. I had a similar experience—thought I'd sealed my garage windows perfectly, but come spring, it looked like a squirrel had shredded styrofoam everywhere. Have you tried rubber weatherstripping instead? It's pricier, but it holds up way better in harsh weather. I've had mine up for three winters now, and it's still going strong. Might save you from another foam blizzard next year...
"Have you tried rubber weatherstripping instead? It's pricier, but it holds up way better in harsh weather."
Interesting point about the rubber weatherstripping—I hadn't considered that option yet. As a first-time homeowner, I've been relying mostly on foam tape myself, and your description of the "foam blizzard" hits pretty close to home... I noticed mine deteriorating after just one winter. Maybe it's time to invest in something more durable. Appreciate the heads-up; it's reassuring to know there's a better alternative out there.
Rubber weatherstripping is definitely worth the extra bucks—mine's lasted through several winters without issues. Foam tape drove me nuts too...crumbled everywhere. Once you upgrade, you'll wonder why you didn't sooner. Hang in there, homeownership gets easier with each fix!
Rubber weatherstripping is solid, but honestly, I've had decent luck with foam tape too. Maybe you got a bad batch or something? Mine lasted a couple winters without crumbling everywhere—though it did flatten out eventually. Rubber's great if you're ready to spend more upfront, but foam can still do the trick if you're careful applying it. Either way, sealing drafts is always worth the hassle...nothing worse than chilly toes in winter.
Foam tape's okay, but honestly, rubber stripping is usually worth the extra bucks. Foam tends to compress and lose effectiveness quicker, especially if your windows get heavy use. If you're sticking with foam though, here's my trick for better results:
1. Clean window edges thoroughly—dirt ruins adhesion.
2. Warm up the tape a bit before applying (hairdryer works).
3. Press firmly along the length to avoid gaps.
"Either way, sealing drafts is always worth the hassle...nothing worse than chilly toes in winter."
Exactly. Good luck!
Has anyone tried those window insulation film kits instead? I mean, foam and rubber strips sound decent, but I've seen some pretty solid reviews about the shrink-wrap stuff...or is that just marketing hype messing with me again?
Tried the shrink-wrap stuff last winter in my own place—honestly wasn't expecting much. It did cut down the drafts noticeably, but it's not exactly a miracle fix. Installation was a bit fiddly too; a hairdryer and patience are a must. If your windows are really old or badly sealed, it helps—but don't expect it to solve everything. Maybe the hype oversells it a bit...? Still, cheaper than new windows, so might be worth a shot.
Shrink-wrap definitely has its place, but I agree—it's not a magic bullet. I've seen plenty of homes where drafts are sneaking in through more than just the window panes themselves. Sometimes it's gaps around the frames or even cracks in the trim that are the real culprits. Window sealing tape can help with those issues, especially if you take your time applying it carefully. I've had clients who've noticed a big difference after sealing around the edges rather than just covering the glass.
But honestly, if your windows are really old or warped, there's only so much tape and plastic can do. At some point, you're just putting band-aids on a bigger issue. Have you checked to see if the drafts are mostly coming from around the frames or directly through the panes? Knowing exactly where your problem spots are can save you a lot of hassle (and money) down the road...
"Sometimes it's gaps around the frames or even cracks in the trim that are the real culprits."
Exactly this. Last winter, I spent ages shrink-wrapping all my windows thinking it'd solve everything, but nope—still had cold air sneaking in. Finally took a closer look and found tiny gaps around the window trim. Sealing tape made a noticeable difference once I carefully applied it around those edges. Still, like you said, if the windows themselves are warped or ancient, you're fighting an uphill battle...
Had a similar experience myself—spent a weekend meticulously sealing windows only to realize the draft was sneaking in through the baseboards and electrical outlets. Sneaky little devils. Ended up using foam gasket inserts behind outlet covers and caulking along the baseboard edges. Made a surprising difference. Windows are important, sure, but sometimes drafts are playing hide-and-seek elsewhere...