Did something similar when I renovated my bedroom last year, and it really does help visually. But honestly, if drafts are a big issue, adding weather stripping or window film is super affordable and makes a noticeable difference... worth considering!
Did you find the window film tricky to apply without bubbles? I tried it once in my kitchen and ended up with something that looked like abstract art... not exactly the look I was going for, lol. Weather stripping was way easier for me, and honestly, it made a huge difference with drafts. Still debating if I should brave the film again or just stick to curtains and pretend the drafts don't exist.
I feel your pain with the abstract art look—I had a similar experience the first time I tried window film. Honestly, it took me a couple of tries before I got the hang of it. The trick for me was using plenty of soapy water and a good squeegee to smooth it out slowly from the center outward. Weather stripping is definitely easier, but if you ever decide to give the film another shot, patience is key...and maybe a helper wouldn't hurt either.
Totally agree on the squeegee and soapy water—makes a huge difference. One thing I'd add is to avoid doing it on a hot, sunny day. Learned that the hard way...film dried way too fast, bubbles everywhere. Cooler weather or shade helps a ton.
Good point about the heat, but honestly, I've done it on sunny days plenty of times without much trouble. The trick is to keep the glass extra wet—like, really soak it—and work in smaller sections. Shade helps, sure, but sometimes you don't have that luxury. I wouldn't rule out sunny days completely...just gotta adjust your technique a bit.
Yeah, that's a fair point about adjusting your technique. I've replaced windows a couple times myself, and sunny days weren't ideal but definitely doable. One thing I noticed is that if you're working with caulk or sealants, the heat can make them set faster than you'd expect. Had a bit of a mess once when the caulk started drying before I could smooth it out properly—ended up having to scrape it off and redo that section. So, keeping things wet helps with the glass, but you might also want to keep your sealants in the shade or even in a cooler until you're ready to use them. Have you run into any issues with that? Curious if anyone else has had similar experiences.
Had a similar issue last summer—sealant started curing way too fast in direct sunlight. Learned the hard way to keep it shaded and work in smaller sections. Also helps to lightly mist surfaces beforehand, slows things down just enough to smooth properly.
Ran into something similar a few years back, but it wasn't just the sealant—it was the caulk around the window frames. Got gummy way too quick. Wonder if humidity levels play a role in curing times too...?
Had a similar issue when I redid my kitchen windows last summer. The caulk stayed tacky for days, drove me nuts. Humidity definitely messes with curing times—especially if you're using silicone-based stuff. Learned that the hard way after wasting half a tube and having to scrape it all off again.
Ended up checking the weather forecast and waiting for a dry spell before redoing it. Also switched to a quick-curing acrylic latex caulk instead of silicone. It was easier to work with, dried faster, and didn't stay gummy nearly as long. Might not be as durable long-term, but it's held up fine so far.
Another thing I noticed: thinner beads cure quicker. If you lay it on too thick, it'll stay gummy forever no matter what the humidity is like. Learned to apply thin layers and smooth them out carefully—made a huge difference.
Anyway, humidity's definitely a factor, but the type of caulk and application technique matter just as much in my experience.
Good tips there, especially about laying thinner beads. I learned that lesson the hard way too...thought a thicker bead would seal better, but nope—just ended up a sticky mess. Silicone caulk is great for durability, but man, it's unforgiving stuff. Once you mess it up, you're scraping for hours.
Acrylic latex has been my go-to lately as well. Easier cleanup and way less hassle overall. I redid the windows in our guest room last fall and was surprised how quickly it dried compared to silicone. Only downside I've noticed is that it shrinks a little more over time, so you might see some gaps after a year or two. Nothing major though—just something to keep an eye on.
One thing I'm curious about though: anyone tried those hybrid caulks? Supposedly they combine the flexibility of silicone with the ease of acrylic latex application. Saw some at the hardware store last weekend but didn't pull the trigger because they cost quite a bit more. Wondering if they're worth the extra bucks or just marketing hype...