Totally agree on the wrinkles, haha... I tried that film stuff last winter and spent months staring at bubbly plastic. But speaking of caulk, anyone know if silicone or latex is better for windows? Heard mixed opinions and I'm kinda lost here.
Silicone tends to be my go-to for windows, personally. Latex is easier to work with and cleans up nicer, but silicone holds up way better against moisture and temperature swings—especially important in colder climates. I've seen latex start cracking after a couple harsh winters, which kinda defeats the purpose. Silicone can be a bit messier and trickier to apply, but once it's done, you're usually set for quite a while. Just my two cents from patching up plenty of drafty windows over the years... Good luck with it!
"Silicone can be a bit messier and trickier to apply, but once it's done, you're usually set for quite a while."
Yeah, silicone definitely holds up better long-term. I've had similar experiences with latex cracking after just a couple winters—pretty frustrating when you think you've solved the problem. One thing I've wondered about though is those shrink-wrap window insulation kits. I've seen them around but never actually tried one myself. Seems like they might be a decent temporary fix if you're short on time or don't want to deal with caulking right away. Has anyone here used them? Curious if they're worth the effort or if they're just another gimmick...
I've used those shrink-wrap kits a few times on older windows. Quick thoughts:
- Pretty easy to install, just need a hairdryer and some patience.
- Definitely cuts down on drafts noticeably, especially in older homes.
- But... they're not exactly pretty, and pets or kids can poke holes easily.
"Seems like they might be a decent temporary fix if you're short on time..."
Exactly—good short-term solution, but eventually you'll wanna tackle the real issue.
I've seen those shrink-wrap kits in action a few times myself, and yeah, they do help temporarily. But honestly, they're more of a band-aid than anything else. A couple winters ago, I had a client with similar issues—older home, original single-pane windows—and we tried the shrink-wrap as a quick fix. It worked decently enough at first, but after a month or two, their cat had poked holes in several spots, and the drafts were back.
One thing to consider is that drafts aren't always just about sealing gaps. Sometimes it's about the window frame itself warping or deteriorating over time. Have you checked if your frames are still square and solid? If they're not, even the best shrink-wrap job won't fully solve the issue.
Long-term, upgrading to double-pane or insulated windows is usually the best bet. But if that's not feasible right now, you might also look into weatherstripping or caulking around the edges—it's inexpensive and can make a noticeable difference without being quite as fragile as plastic film.
Yeah, shrink-wrap can be hit or miss, especially with pets around. Last winter, I ended up using rope caulk around my old wooden windows, and it actually held up pretty well. Easy to apply, cheap, and no cat damage, haha. Have you tried rope caulk yet, or are you mostly sticking with the plastic film for now?
I've heard decent things about rope caulk, but does it really come off cleanly in the spring? I tried something similar a few years back—can't remember the exact brand—and ended up scraping residue off my window frames for hours. Not exactly my idea of a good time, haha. But if you've had luck with it, maybe I just picked the wrong product or applied it badly?
The plastic film has been my go-to mostly because it's straightforward and hasn't left me with cleanup nightmares yet. But yeah, pets definitely complicate things. My dog tore through one window's shrink-wrap last winter chasing after a squirrel outside...so much for insulation. Maybe I'll give rope caulk another shot this year and see if I have better luck. Glad it's working out for you though—always nice when a cheap fix actually works as advertised.
"My dog tore through one window's shrink-wrap last winter chasing after a squirrel outside...so much for insulation."
Ha, been there. My cat shredded the plastic film trying to swat at snowflakes—insulation lasted about two days. Rope caulk's been hit-or-miss for me. Comes off clean if you remove it early spring, but leave it too long into warm weather and you're scraping residue again. Timing seems key. Still prefer it over plastic though, less pet drama.
"Ha, been there. My cat shredded the plastic film trying to swat at snowflakes—insulation lasted about two days."
Yep, pets and window insulation rarely mix well. Had my lab rip through ours chasing reflections from passing cars...fun times. Anyway, if you're looking for a quick fix that's pet-resistant, try weatherstripping tape. Here's what I usually do:
1. Clean the window frame thoroughly (dust and grime make it peel off fast).
2. Measure and cut strips to fit each side.
3. Press firmly along the edges to seal gaps.
It's not perfect, but it'll hold up better against curious paws than shrink-wrap film. Plus, it's easy to remove in spring without residue headaches. Hang in there—winter's short, thankfully.
Yeah, pets definitely have their own ideas about insulation...my husky once decided the foam weatherstripping was a tasty snack. 🙄 Another thing I've tried that's held up well is heavy thermal curtains—pretty effective at blocking drafts and tougher for pets to destroy. Just make sure they're hung securely, or you'll have a new climbing toy instead. Good luck surviving the chill!