Did something similar last fall:
- Silicone worked great on the flat edges, no drafts since.
- Tried V-strip in corners, held up okay but started peeling slightly after one winter.
- Probably my fault though—didn't clean the surface properly beforehand (lesson learned).
- Ended up redoing it this year, cleaned thoroughly with rubbing alcohol first, seems solid now.
Overall, combo approach is solid advice. Just don't skip the prep step like I did...
Had a similar experience myself—thought I'd save time skipping the cleaning step, and boy did I regret it. Prep really is key, especially with adhesives. Glad you got it sorted now though... silicone plus proper prep is definitely the way to go.
"Prep really is key, especially with adhesives."
Couldn't agree more—skipping prep always seems tempting, but it usually comes back to bite you. Curious though, did you use any primer before applying silicone? I've found that a good primer can make a huge difference in adhesion and longevity, especially on older window frames. Also, anyone tried UV-resistant silicone? Wondering if it's worth the extra cost for windows exposed to direct sunlight...
Couldn't agree more about primer—it changed the game for my old wooden frames. Haven't tried UV-resistant silicone yet, but honestly, if it cuts down on redoing windows every couple years, I'm all for spending a bit extra upfront...
"if it cuts down on redoing windows every couple years, I'm all for spending a bit extra upfront..."
Totally with you on that. Primer's a lifesaver, but don't underestimate weatherstripping either—cheap, easy to install, and keeps drafts out. My heating bill thanked me later... wallet-friendly warmth, anyone?
Primer and weatherstripping are solid suggestions, but honestly, sometimes the best thing you can do is just keep your windows clean. Sounds too simple, right? But dirt and grime trap moisture, and moisture's basically window kryptonite—learned that one the hard way after neglecting mine for a couple seasons. A quick wipe-down every now and then beats shelling out cash for replacements way too soon...just sayin'.
Totally agree, clean windows are key. One more thing—check your window tracks every few months. Dust and debris build up there, blocking drainage holes, and next thing you know...water damage. Quick vacuum or brush-out saves a lot of hassle later.
Good point about the window tracks, but I'm not entirely convinced vacuuming alone is always enough. I've seen cases where debris gets compacted deep into the drainage holes, and a quick brush-out or vacuum doesn't quite clear it. In fact, I've had clients who regularly vacuumed their tracks but still ended up with water pooling because the blockage was deeper down. Sometimes, a gentle flush with water or even carefully using a thin wire or pipe cleaner to clear out stubborn debris can be necessary. Of course, you have to be careful not to damage anything, but relying solely on a quick vacuum might give a false sense of security. Has anyone else experienced this issue, or am I just overly cautious here...?
"Sometimes, a gentle flush with water or even carefully using a thin wire or pipe cleaner to clear out stubborn debris can be necessary."
You're definitely onto something here. I used to rely solely on vacuuming my window tracks too, thinking I was being thorough enough—until one heavy rainstorm proved me wrong. Water started pooling, and I discovered that debris had compacted way deeper than I'd realized. Vacuuming just wasn't cutting it.
I ended up carefully using an old guitar string (the thin E-string works perfectly) to gently poke through and loosen the blockage before flushing it out with water. It was surprising how much gunk came out, even though the tracks looked clean from the surface. Since then, I've made it a habit to give the tracks a thorough flush every few months, especially before rainy seasons.
So no, you're not overly cautious at all—just realistic. Sometimes going that extra step can save you from bigger headaches down the road...
"I ended up carefully using an old guitar string (the thin E-string works perfectly) to gently poke through and loosen the blockage before flushing it out with water."
That's a pretty clever trick, never thought of repurposing guitar strings like that! I've always stuck to pipe cleaners or thin wires from the hardware store, but honestly, the guitar string idea sounds way more convenient (and probably cheaper since I have a bunch lying around from my son's old guitar).
One thing that crossed my mind though—do you find that regular flushing with water causes any issues over time, like rust or corrosion? I ask because a neighbor of mine was pretty diligent about rinsing his tracks out, and he ended up with some minor rust spots after a while. Maybe he wasn't drying them properly afterward, I'm not sure. Personally, I've been careful about drying mine thoroughly with a rag or even blowing them out with compressed air afterward, just to avoid moisture lingering too long.
Also, do you guys ever use any sort of lubricant or protective spray afterward? I've heard mixed opinions on silicone sprays—some swear by them, others say they attract dirt and grime over time. I've tested both ways, and I haven't yet decided which side I'm on. Silicone spray definitely makes the windows slide smoother, but I did notice a bit more grime buildup after a few months.
Anyway, I totally agree that vacuuming alone isn't enough. Learned that lesson myself after a particularly nasty buildup led to a leak inside my house. Not fun. Now I do a quick check every few months, especially after heavy storms or before winter kicks in. It's a bit tedious, but definitely beats dealing with water damage or window replacements down the line...