Rigid foam boards are decent, but honestly, DIY spray foam kits aren't as bad as people say. Used one myself—yeah, a bit messy—but if you're careful and prep properly, the results beat foam boards hands down. Worth reconsidering IMO.
Interesting perspective on the DIY spray foam kits. I gave one a shot last fall when insulating my garage ceiling—thought it would be straightforward, but man, that stuff expands way more aggressively than I anticipated. Ended up spending quite a bit of time trimming back excess foam afterward. Still, I have to admit, the thermal performance was impressive once I got past the initial messiness.
Curious though, did you find the spray foam significantly better in terms of air sealing compared to rigid boards? When I used foam boards around my basement rim joists, they were pretty effective, but I always wondered if spray foam would've sealed those tricky gaps better. Guess it's always a trade-off between convenience and performance...
I ran into pretty much the same issue when I tried spray foam around my attic hatch. Thought I was being careful, but next thing I knew it looked like some kind of alien growth had taken over the attic opening...spent forever trimming it back. But yeah, once cleaned up, it definitely sealed things up tight.
I've used rigid foam boards too, mostly around basement rim joists like you mentioned. They do a decent job, especially if you're meticulous about sealing the edges with caulk or canned foam. But honestly, spray foam just seems to fill those weird, uneven gaps way better. I noticed fewer drafts and cold spots after switching to spray foam in a couple tricky areas.
Still, there's something nice about the simplicity of foam boards—no mess, no trimming, and no risk of accidentally gluing your fingers together (ask me how I know...). Guess it depends how patient you're feeling that day and how much cleanup you're willing to deal with afterward.
I feel your pain on the spray foam—tried it once around my dryer vent and ended up with a blob that looked like something out of Ghostbusters. Curious if anyone's tried weatherstripping tape for smaller gaps...does it hold up long-term or just peel off eventually?
"Curious if anyone's tried weatherstripping tape for smaller gaps...does it hold up long-term or just peel off eventually?"
I've used weatherstripping tape around my basement door frame—worked great at first, but after a couple seasons it started peeling at the corners. Might depend on the brand or how exposed it is to weather, though. Have you considered silicone caulk for smaller gaps instead? Bit messier initially, but holds up way better in my experience.
I've had mixed luck with weatherstripping tape myself. Used it around a couple of drafty windows upstairs, and it did the trick initially—definitely noticed less cold air coming through. But after about a year, especially after a hot summer and then a cold winter, it started to lose its grip and peel away at the edges. I think temperature fluctuations and humidity play a big role in how long it lasts.
Silicone caulk is definitely more durable, but like you said, it's messier and harder to remove if you ever need to repaint or adjust things later. I've also tried foam sealant strips (the kind you press into place without adhesive), and those held up surprisingly well for smaller gaps. They're easy to replace too, if they start to degrade.
One thing I've wondered about is whether prepping the surface differently might help the adhesive last longer. Maybe cleaning thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or something similar before applying the tape could improve adhesion? Has anyone experimented with different prep methods or found a particular brand that holds up better over time?
I've had similar experiences with weatherstripping tape, honestly. I tried prepping the surface with rubbing alcohol once, thinking it'd help the adhesive stick better. It did seem to hold up a bit longer, but after about a year and a half, it still started peeling at the corners. I think you're right about temperature swings and humidity—they really do a number on adhesives.
One thing that worked surprisingly well for me was switching to EPDM rubber weatherstripping. It's a bit pricier than the foam stuff, but it stays flexible and holds up way better through seasonal changes. I put some around my basement windows a couple years ago, and it's still going strong. Definitely less messy than silicone caulk too, if you ever need to remove or adjust it later.
Might be worth giving that a shot if you're tired of replacing tape every year or two...
Good call on the EPDM rubber—I switched to it last winter and noticed a big improvement. The foam stuff always seems promising at first, but yeah, weather eventually wins out. Glad I'm not the only one who's picky about adhesives...
EPDM was a game changer for me too. I remember one winter, years ago, I went with the foam strips thinking I'd save a few bucks. Worked great at first, but by February it was peeling off and letting drafts in again—lesson learned the chilly way, haha. Switched to EPDM after that and haven't looked back. Adhesives can be tricky though...I've had my fair share of sticky mishaps. Glad you're seeing good results!
EPDM definitely holds up better than foam strips, no argument there. But have you tried silicone weatherstripping yet? I switched to silicone a couple years back after reading some good reviews, and honestly, it's been even more durable for me than EPDM. Adhesive-wise, it's pretty forgiving too—haven't had any peeling or sticky disasters yet. Might be worth experimenting with if you're ever up for another round of window sealing adventures...