"Older windows sometimes have glazing putty that's dried out or cracked, letting air seep through the edges of the glass panes."
Interesting point—I honestly hadn't even thought about glazing putty. Just moved into my first place last year, and I've been skeptical about how much difference these smaller fixes actually make. But after seeing how drafty my living room gets, I'm starting to reconsider... Did you find redoing the glazing yourself pretty straightforward, or is it one of those projects that's trickier than it looks?
Redoing glazing putty can definitely make a noticeable difference, especially if drafts are an issue. A few things I've learned from experience:
- It's straightforward in theory, but removing old, hardened putty can be tedious and messy.
- Patience is key—rushing it usually leads to uneven seals or cracked panes.
- If you're unsure, practice on a less visible window first.
"I've been skeptical about how much difference these smaller fixes actually make."
Honestly, you'd be surprised how these small improvements add up over time...both comfort-wise and on your energy bills.
"Patience is key—rushing it usually leads to uneven seals or cracked panes."
Couldn't agree more. I underestimated the glazing putty job at first, thinking it'd be a quick weekend fix...ended up spending hours carefully scraping old putty. But honestly, the difference in drafts afterward was pretty impressive.
Good points, but glazing putty isn't always the best route. I switched to weatherstripping tape a couple years back—way quicker and less messy. Sure, it doesn't have that classic look, but if you're prioritizing energy efficiency and sealing drafts, it's surprisingly effective. Plus, no scraping old putty for hours...been there, done that, not eager to repeat it anytime soon.
I've done the glazing putty dance myself, and yeah, scraping off old putty ranks right up there with watching paint dry...just less relaxing. Weatherstripping tape is definitely quicker—used it on my basement windows last winter, and it held up surprisingly well. But I gotta admit, for those front-facing windows that everyone sees, I'm still a sucker for the old-school putty look.
If anyone's thinking about trying tape, here's what worked for me: clean the window frame thoroughly first (trust me, dirt and tape aren't friends), then measure and cut your strips slightly longer than you think you'll need. Stick 'em down firmly, trim the excess carefully with a sharp blade, and you're good to go. Took me less than half the time of glazing putty, and no sticky fingers or putty knives involved.
Still, if you're aiming for curb appeal or have historic windows, putty might be worth the hassle. Guess it comes down to how much patience (and elbow grease) you've got left in the tank...
"Still, if you're aiming for curb appeal or have historic windows, putty might be worth the hassle."
Yeah, I'm leaning toward putty for our front windows too—first impressions and all. But now I'm curious...does weatherstripping tape leave any residue behind when you remove it later?
I've used weatherstripping tape a few times, and honestly, residue depends a lot on the brand and how long you leave it on. Last winter, I grabbed some cheap foam tape from the hardware store to seal up drafty bedroom windows. Worked great at first, but when spring rolled around and I peeled it off, there was definitely some stubborn adhesive left behind. Took me a good half hour with rubbing alcohol and elbow grease to get it all off, and even then, it left a faint outline.
If you're set on using tape, here's what I'd do: first, test a small strip in an inconspicuous spot. Leave it for a week or two, then peel it off and see if there's residue. If there is, try a better-quality silicone-based weatherstripping—costs a bit more, but I've found it comes off cleaner. Personally, for front windows, I'd stick with putty. Yeah, it's a bit messy and takes patience, but at least you won't be scraping off sticky gunk later.
I've had similar experiences with foam tapes—cheap brands definitely leave a mess. Last year I switched to a silicone-based weatherstripping tape, and it was way better at coming off cleanly. Still, residue can happen, especially if you leave it on too long or the sun hits it directly. One thing I've found helpful is warming the tape gently with a hairdryer before peeling it off; makes the adhesive a bit softer and easier to remove.
Putty does work well, but I've always found it kind of a hassle to apply neatly. Another option is removable caulk—it's clear, easy to apply, and peels off pretty smoothly at the end of the season. Used it last winter around my living room windows and barely had any cleanup in the spring. Just another idea if you're looking for something less messy than putty but cleaner than cheap foam tape.
I've tried removable caulk too, and it's pretty decent—definitely easier than putty. But honestly, nothing beats the hairdryer trick for me... saved my sanity last spring after battling stubborn tape residue for hours. Lesson learned the hard way, haha.
Removable caulk is pretty handy stuff, agreed. But honestly, I never really warmed up (pun intended, sorry!) to the hairdryer trick. Maybe I'm just too impatient or something, but it always felt like forever before that adhesive softened up enough to peel off cleanly.
My go-to is usually rubbing alcohol or WD-40—just spray a bit on a cloth, let it sit for a minute, and the residue comes right off without much fuss. Learned that after spending way too long scraping tape marks off my windows one weekend... neighbors probably thought I'd lost my mind out there muttering curses at sticky glass.
Funny how we all end up with our own little window-cleaning rituals after enough frustration. Whatever keeps us sane, right?