Getting your space ready before new windows go in—my checklist

Yeah, old plaster and humidity are a nightmare combo. I’ve tried everything from painter’s tape to that “extreme” mounting stuff, but if the wall’s even a little dusty or bumpy, forget it. One time I actually used masking tape and thumbtacks together… looked ridiculous but at least it held up my plastic sheeting until the window crew showed up. Sometimes you just have to get creative and accept a few tiny holes.

Sometimes you just have to get creative and accept a few tiny holes.

Yeah, I totally get this. I’m in an old rowhouse, and the plaster walls are just… unpredictable. I tried using that “extreme” mounting tape too, but if the surface isn’t perfectly clean or flat, it just peels right off after a day or two. Humidity definitely makes it worse—sometimes the tape leaves a weird residue, which is its own headache.

I’ve found that painter’s tape works okay for super light plastic sheeting, but for anything heavier, I actually had better luck with those tiny wire nails (like the kind you’d use for picture hanging). They make barely-there holes and seem to hold up even if the wall’s a bit crumbly. Not ideal, but sometimes you have to pick your battles.

One thing I did was run a vacuum nozzle over the wall before taping anything up—gets rid of dust and helps stuff stick a little better. It’s not foolproof, but every bit helps. Curious if anyone’s tried those removable adhesive hooks? I always worry they’ll rip off half the wall when I go to take them down…

Removable adhesive hooks are a total gamble on old plaster—sometimes they pop off clean, sometimes you’re left patching a crater. I’ve seen more than one “easy removal” turn into a mini renovation. Honestly, I lean toward those tiny nails too, especially if you’re just tacking up plastic for a short window project. A dab of spackle after and no one’s the wiser. The vacuum trick is smart, though—dust is the silent killer of all things sticky.

- Had those “easy removal” hooks rip off a chunk of 1920s plaster once. Never again.
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“sometimes they pop off clean, sometimes you’re left patching a crater.”

“sometimes they pop off clean, sometimes you’re left patching a crater.”

That line pretty much sums up my luck with those adhesive hooks too. I tried them in the hallway when we first moved in—figured it’d be less hassle than putting holes in the walls right away. First one came off fine, second one peeled paint and a chunk of the old plaster with it. Ended up with more patchwork than if I’d just gone with nails from the start.

I get the appeal of “no-damage” stuff, but I’m starting to think it’s more marketing than reality, especially in these older houses. The dust thing is interesting though... Never thought to vacuum before sticking anything on the wall, but maybe it would have helped? Still, nails seem way more predictable.

Honestly, prepping for new windows already feels like enough of a project without having to fix wall craters too. At least spackle is cheap, right?

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite luck with adhesive hooks—at least the name brand ones. Maybe it’s the paint or humidity? Nails are predictable for sure, but patching nail holes isn’t always invisible, especially with certain wall textures. Have you tried the newer removable strips that claim to be “plaster safe”? I’m still skeptical, but they haven’t wrecked my walls yet. Always a gamble, I guess...

Totally get what you mean about the “gamble” factor. I’ve found the same—sometimes those removable strips work like magic, other times they peel off paint or just give up in humidity.

“patching nail holes isn’t always invisible, especially with certain wall textures.”

Can’t say I’ve ever had much luck with those strips either—especially in older homes where the paint’s already seen better days. I’ve patched more than a few nail holes before window installs, and you’re right, sometimes the spot just refuses to blend, no matter how careful you are. Ever try matching the old wall texture with a sponge or brush? I’ve had mixed results—sometimes it helps, sometimes it just makes things look even weirder. Guess it all gets hidden once the new trim goes up, but I always wonder if it’s worth fussing over those little patches at all.

I know what you mean about those patches never quite blending in. When I was getting ready for my window swap, I tried to keep things as simple as possible because honestly, no one’s going to stare at those little spots once the trim’s up (unless you’ve got a real eagle-eyed guest). Here’s how I handled it:

1. I filled the nail holes with lightweight spackle—didn’t bother with anything fancy. Let it dry, then sanded it smooth.
2. For texture, I actually gave up trying to match the old walls exactly. My first attempt with a sponge just made it look like a weird polka-dot area. Second try, I used my finger to dab at the spackle a bit before it dried, which seemed closer to the original than any tool did.
3. Quick coat of primer over the patch. Didn’t even bother with a full repaint since most of it gets covered by trim anyway.
4. Once the new windows and trim went in, those patched spots were basically invisible unless you’re hunting for them.

Honestly, I spent way too much time fussing over tiny holes at first, but now I think unless your walls are super textured or you’re leaving them bare for some reason, it’s not worth stressing about perfection. The only time I’d say go all-out is if you’ve got big patches or damage that sits outside where the trim will cover.

And yeah, old paint seems to highlight every flaw no matter what you do... but once everything’s installed and cleaned up, most of that stuff just fades into the background. If I had to do it again, I’d probably spend less time worrying about the invisible stuff and more on prepping for all the dust and debris from demo.

Hope that helps someone avoid my overthinking...