"Foam tape's definitely simpler and cleaner..."
Yeah, foam tape was my go-to for a while too, but it didn't hold up as well as I'd hoped—especially on colder days when the adhesive got brittle. Last year I switched to rope caulk (the putty-like stuff), and it's been surprisingly effective. Easy to apply, no sticky mess, and you can peel it off cleanly come spring. Definitely worth a shot if you're still experimenting...
Foam tape worked fine until my dog decided it was her personal chew toy... Switched to rope caulk after that fiasco, and it's held up great. Plus, no teeth marks. Win-win.
Haha, dogs and foam tape...been there. My lab once decided weather stripping was the tastiest snack ever—came home to bits everywhere and a guilty face. Rope caulk's a solid choice, though. I've also had luck with those removable silicone strips. They're chew-resistant (at least for my pup) and easy to peel off when spring finally shows up. Might be worth a shot if your furry friend gets bored again this winter...
"I've also had luck with those removable silicone strips. They're chew-resistant (at least for my pup) and easy to peel off when spring finally shows up."
Interesting, I've tried silicone strips before, but found they didn't hold up as well in extreme cold—got brittle and lost adhesion after a few weeks of sub-zero temps. Maybe it was just the brand I used? Rope caulk has been my go-to for years, though it can be messy if you're not careful. Has anyone experimented with magnetic window insulation kits? Curious how they hold up against pets and harsh winters...
Tried magnetic kits a couple winters ago—here's my quick take:
- Easy setup, pretty decent seal initially.
- Magnets held through cold snaps but struggled in strong winds (had to reposition a few times).
- Cat figured out how to paw the corner loose, though, and then it was game over.
- Ended up back with rope caulk, messy but reliable.
Maybe worth a shot if your pets aren't overly curious or determined...
I've had decent luck with the shrink-wrap window film kits instead. They're pretty cheap, easy to install (just need a hairdryer), and hold up surprisingly well even in strong winds. Had a client whose dog kept pawing at the magnetic ones, but the shrink-wrap stayed intact all winter. Not the prettiest solution, but definitely warmer and pet-resistant...might be worth considering.
"Not the prettiest solution, but definitely warmer and pet-resistant..."
Yeah, I've used those shrink-wrap kits for years now. They're not winning any beauty contests, but honestly, who cares when your heating bill drops noticeably? Practical beats pretty every winter in my book.
As a first-time homeowner, I recently tried the shrink-wrap kits myself. Installation was straightforward, though the aesthetics leave something to be desired. Still, as mentioned:
"Practical beats pretty every winter in my book."
I agree completely. My heating bills have noticeably improved, and the drafts around my older windows are significantly reduced. Functionality definitely outweighs appearance when temperatures drop below freezing... at least until I can budget for proper replacements.
Shrink-wrap kits definitely do the job short-term, but they're kind of a bandaid fix, you know? I found that thermal curtains paired with the plastic made an even bigger difference in my place. But I'm curious—are you planning to go with double-pane replacements eventually, or considering triple-pane? I've heard mixed things about whether triple-pane is worth the extra cash, especially if your winters aren't brutal...
- Tried shrink-wrap last winter—definitely helped, but yeah, felt like patching a sinking boat with duct tape.
- Thermal curtains were a game changer for me too, especially in the bedroom. Worth every penny.
- Triple-pane though? Hmm...sounds fancy, but I've heard unless you're dealing with Arctic-level cold, double-pane usually does the trick just fine.
- Plus, triple-pane windows are heavier and pricier—might be overkill unless your winters are brutal or you're super sensitive to drafts.