I've had pretty good luck with removable caulk myself, but you're right—it can vary a lot by brand. One tip I've learned is to apply it lightly and evenly; thicker layers tend to get stubborn when peeling off. Window film kits are solid too, especially for drafty older windows. I installed some at my sister's place last winter, and she said it made a noticeable difference. Plus, removal was a breeze—no residue or paint damage at all. Worth considering if you're still exploring options...
Totally agree about window film kits—they've saved me more than once. Another thing I've found helpful is weatherstripping tape, especially the foam kind. It's cheap, easy to apply, and fills those sneaky little gaps around older windows. Just make sure you measure carefully before cutting; learned that the hard way when I ended up with a bunch of short pieces... Still, between removable caulk, film kits, and weatherstripping, there's usually a solid DIY fix for most drafts.
Yeah, weatherstripping tape can be handy, but honestly, I've had mixed results. Last winter, I spent a whole afternoon sealing up my old windows with foam tape, feeling pretty proud of myself. Then a week later, half of it started peeling off—guess the adhesive wasn't great in colder temps. Ended up switching to V-seal weatherstripping instead, and that stuff held up way better. Still cheap and easy enough to apply, but seems more reliable long-term...at least in my experience.
Had the same issue with foam tape myself—thought I nailed it until the edges started lifting after a cold snap. Switched to silicone weatherstripping instead, and it's been solid ever since. Little pricier, but worth skipping the frustration of redoing it mid-winter. Foam tape's fine indoors, but outdoors in freezing temps...nah, learned my lesson there.
"Foam tape's fine indoors, but outdoors in freezing temps...nah, learned my lesson there."
Yeah, foam tape can be tricky outdoors, especially if you go with the cheaper stuff. But honestly, I've had decent luck with high-density closed-cell foam tape even in pretty harsh winters. The key is prepping the surface really well—cleaning thoroughly and making sure it's bone-dry before applying. Silicone weatherstripping is great too, no doubt, but foam isn't always a lost cause if you're careful about installation. Just my two cents from plenty of chilly installs...
Good points about prep work—makes a huge difference. I've had foam tape hold up surprisingly well outdoors, even through some nasty ice storms. Maybe you just got unlucky with a bad batch or something...happens to the best of us.
"I've had foam tape hold up surprisingly well outdoors, even through some nasty ice storms."
Interesting, I've had mixed results myself. Foam tape can be reliable, but I've noticed its performance varies significantly depending on the brand and density. Last winter, I experimented with a closed-cell foam tape rated for extreme temperatures, and it held up remarkably better than the standard open-cell variety. Have you or anyone else tried comparing closed-cell versus open-cell foam tapes in harsh winter conditions? Curious if others have noticed a similar difference in durability...
Yeah, I've noticed the same thing about foam tape. Closed-cell definitely seems to handle moisture and freezing temps better. Last year I tried some generic open-cell stuff around my garage windows, and it basically turned into a soggy mess after a couple snowstorms. Switched to a higher-density closed-cell tape this year, and it's already holding up way better—no peeling or moisture issues yet. Seems like density and material quality really make a difference...
Yeah, closed-cell's usually the safer bet for colder climates. I've seen open-cell foam turn into a sponge way too many times. Still, some premium open-cell tapes can surprise you...but they're rare and pricey. Sounds like you're on the right track now though.
Closed-cell definitely has its advantages, but I've had decent luck with open-cell foam in colder climates too—provided it's installed correctly. The key is making sure there's a solid vapor barrier in place. Without that, yeah, you're asking for trouble. I once used a mid-range open-cell tape on a cabin window at altitude, and it held up surprisingly well through two harsh winters. Just gotta be meticulous about sealing everything properly...