"Finally went around with weatherstripping tape and sealed every tiny gap I could find. Huge difference right away."
Weatherstripping tape is great for a quick fix, but honestly, from my experience, it doesn't hold up as long as you'd hope. I did the same thing two winters ago—felt like a genius at first—but by the next winter, some spots were already peeling or losing their stickiness. Maybe it's just me being unlucky or buying cheap stuff (probably both), but I've found caulking to be a more durable solution.
If you're up for it, grab some removable caulk—it's easy to apply and peels off cleanly when you don't need it anymore. Just run a thin bead along the window seams, smooth it out with your finger (wetting your finger helps), and let it dry. It seals better than tape and lasts longer too. Plus, peeling it off in spring is oddly satisfying...like popping bubble wrap but messier.
Anyway, tape's fine for now, but if you get tired of redoing it every year or two, give removable caulk a shot.
Removable caulk's pretty handy, but honestly, I've had decent luck with weatherstripping tape lasting a couple seasons. Trick is cleaning the surface really well first—dust or grime kills the stickiness fast. Learned that the hard way after redoing mine twice in one winter...
Yeah, totally agree about cleaning the surface first—makes a huge difference. I learned that lesson after wasting a whole afternoon redoing mine because I rushed it the first time. Weatherstripping tape's been solid for me too, but removable caulk saved my sanity on some drafty old windows last winter. It's nice having options depending on how much patience (or coffee) I've got that day...
Removable caulk is definitely underrated—saved me more than once in older homes. But I'm curious, have you tried window insulation film? It's a bit fiddly at first, but honestly, the difference it makes on really cold days is impressive...
I've messed around with insulation film before, and yeah, it does help a bit. But honestly, I found it more hassle than it's worth—especially if you have pets or kids who can't resist poking at it. Last winter, I switched to thermal curtains instead. Easier to manage, no fiddly tape or hairdryers needed, and they block drafts surprisingly well. Might not be everyone's cup of tea aesthetically, but practicality-wise... they've been a lifesaver for me.
Totally agree on the thermal curtains—game changer for sure. I tried the film once, and my cat decided it was her personal scratching post... disaster. Curtains are way easier, plus you can toss 'em in the wash if they get grubby.
Thermal curtains definitely helped me too, but honestly, sealing up the window frames made the biggest difference in my place. When I first moved in, I noticed drafts even with thick curtains up. Turned out the caulking around the windows was ancient and cracked. Spent a weekend redoing it (first time using a caulk gun—messy but oddly satisfying, lol), and the improvement was huge. Curtains are great, but pairing them with properly sealed windows is next-level cozy.
Haha, your caulking story reminded me of my first DIY project—ended up with more caulk on me than the window frames. But you're totally right, sealing those sneaky drafts makes a massive difference. Congrats on leveling up your cozy game!
"ended up with more caulk on me than the window frames."
Haha, been there myself—caulking is deceptively tricky, isn't it? Curious though, did you notice a big difference right away, or did it take a while to really feel the improvement? I remember when I first tackled sealing my windows, I wasn't totally convinced at first. Kept wondering if I'd missed spots or if it was just placebo effect making me think things were warmer.
Also, have you tried weatherstripping along with caulking? I found that combining both made a noticeable difference in keeping the drafts out. But here's something I've always wondered—does anyone else find that certain types of windows seem to handle extreme cold better than others? I've got double-pane vinyl windows now, and they're decent enough, but I've heard mixed opinions about wood frames versus vinyl in colder climates. Some folks swear by wood for insulation, others say vinyl holds up better long-term without warping or needing repainting.
And speaking of drafts...have you checked your doors too? I spent ages sealing my windows only to realize later that my front door was letting in a sneaky breeze underneath. Felt a bit silly after all that effort on the windows. Curious if anyone else has overlooked doors or other sneaky draft sources like attic hatches or electrical outlets?
Anyway, congrats on getting cozy—it's satisfying when DIY projects actually pay off, isn't it?
Honestly, I've never found vinyl to hold up as well as wood in really cold climates. My vinyl frames got brittle over time, especially during deep freezes...ended up switching back to wood and haven't regretted it yet. But yeah, caulking is always a messy job.