"But lately, I've been wondering if foam weatherstripping might hold up better over time."
I've actually tried foam strips after dealing with vinyl peeling issues myself. Honestly, foam does seem easier to apply and sticks pretty well initially, but I wouldn't say it's necessarily longer-lasting. In my experience, foam tends to compress and lose its shape after a couple of seasons, especially in areas where the window gets opened frequently. It can also absorb moisture over time, which isn't ideal.
One alternative you might consider is silicone weatherstripping. It's a bit pricier upfront, but I've found it holds up way better than either vinyl or foam. Silicone stays flexible through temperature changes and doesn't peel or compress as easily. Just make sure you prep the surface thoroughly (like you mentioned with rubbing alcohol) and apply it carefully on a warm day—makes a huge difference in how long it lasts.
Might be worth giving silicone a shot if you're tired of replacing strips every year or two...
Totally agree about silicone holding up better. Foam strips drove me nuts after a year or so—especially on windows we open a lot. Silicone's been solid for me, though prep is key... learned that the hard way after rushing it once.
"prep is key... learned that the hard way after rushing it once."
Haha, been there. Thought I'd save myself an hour by skipping prep—ended up scraping off a silicone disaster for half a day. Lesson learned: shortcuts rarely are.
Haha, silicone disasters are the worst... been there myself. I remember thinking masking tape was an unnecessary hassle until I spent hours scraping dried caulk off my window frames. Now I swear by painter's tape and a good caulking tool—makes cleanup way easier and the finish looks pro. Definitely worth the extra 20 mins or so of prep time to save yourself headaches later.
"Definitely worth the extra 20 mins or so of prep time to save yourself headaches later."
Yeah, learned that lesson the hard way myself. When I first moved into my place, I figured I'd save a few bucks by skipping the painter's tape altogether—thought my steady hand would be enough. Big mistake. Ended up with silicone smeared all over the glass and frame edges, and spent an entire weekend scraping and cursing under my breath. Honestly, I was skeptical about those caulking tools at first (seemed like just another gimmicky gadget), but after borrowing one from a neighbor, I gotta admit it made a noticeable difference. Cleaner lines, less mess... who knew? Still not convinced you need to splurge on the fanciest tape out there though—I've found even basic painter's tape does the trick just fine.
Yeah, learned that lesson the hard way myself. When I first moved into my place, I figured I'd save a few bucks by skipping the painter's tape altogether—thought my steady hand would be enough.
Haha, your silicone nightmare brings back memories. I once thought I'd be clever and skip the tape too—figured "how hard could it be?" Famous last words. Ended up with caulk fingerprints all over the glass, looked like a crime scene. Took forever to clean off. Agree on the tape though, basic stuff works fine. But yeah, those little caulking tools are surprisingly legit... who knew something that looks like a plastic spatula could save so much grief?
Agree on the tape though, basic stuff works fine. But yeah, those little caulking tools are surprisingly legit...
Haha, I feel your pain on the fingerprints—been there myself. Honestly though, painter's tape isn't always foolproof either; I've had paint seep under it plenty of times. Best trick I've found is running a thin bead of clear caulk along the tape edge first... seals it perfectly.
Totally relate on the tape issue, I've had paint sneak under mine too many times to count. Never thought about the clear caulk trick though...might have to give that a shot next time I tackle my drafty windows. Thanks for the tip!
"Never thought about the clear caulk trick though...might have to give that a shot next time I tackle my drafty windows."
Clear caulk can definitely help, but have you considered weatherstripping tape instead? I've found it easier to apply and remove, especially if you're not planning on repainting anytime soon. Caulk can sometimes be a bit messy or tricky to get off cleanly later. Plus, weatherstripping tape is pretty budget-friendly and forgiving if you're not super precise with your application...just something else to think about before you dive in.
Weatherstripping tape is definitely handy, but have you tried those shrink-wrap window insulation kits? I used them last winter on a couple of really drafty windows, and honestly, I was surprised how well they worked. They're pretty cheap too, and you just need a hairdryer to tighten them up. Only downside is they don't look amazing, but if you're more concerned about warmth than aesthetics, they're worth considering...