I've had silicone shrink a bit on me too, especially when the temps swing drastically. Hybrid sealant's been more reliable for me overall. Has anyone noticed if weather stripping holds up well long-term in direct sunlight? Seems like that could be an issue...
I've had mixed results with weather stripping in direct sunlight. In my experience, even the higher-quality EPDM stuff tends to degrade after a few years if exposed constantly. UV rays just seem to break it down eventually, making it brittle or crumbly. I replaced mine twice over the past decade before finally installing a small awning over that particular window—problem solved for now, fingers crossed.
Hybrid sealants have definitely been more reliable for me too, especially on south-facing windows where temps swing wildly. Silicone shrinks and pulls away surprisingly fast under those conditions. But I'm curious—has anyone tried polyurethane-based sealants for exterior window sealing? I've heard they're durable, but haven't personally tested their longevity against UV exposure yet.
I've had similar frustrations with weather stripping—especially EPDM. Installed some "premium" stuff two summers ago and it's already starting to crack on my south-facing windows. Definitely seems like UV exposure is the main culprit here. Your awning solution sounds pretty clever, actually. Might have to consider something similar if my current setup fails again.
As for polyurethane sealants, I used some around my garage door frame last year after silicone kept shrinking and pulling away. So far, it's held up surprisingly well. No noticeable cracks or gaps yet, even after a full summer of direct sun and winter freeze-thaw cycles. Granted, it's only been about 18 months, so I can't speak to long-term durability just yet. But compared to silicone—which barely lasted a year before it started peeling—I'm cautiously optimistic.
One downside: polyurethane can be a bit messier to apply. It's thicker and stickier, so getting a clean bead took me a couple tries (and some colorful language). Also, cleanup wasn't as straightforward as silicone. Still, if it holds up better in the long run, I'd say it's worth the extra hassle.
Anyway, your experience with hybrid sealants matches mine—they're definitely more reliable than silicone alone. If polyurethane ends up disappointing, I'll probably go back to hybrids too. But fingers crossed, right?
I've been thinking about hybrid sealants myself after silicone let me down big-time around my patio doors. The UV exposure there is brutal, and silicone just started peeling away after maybe 10 months... really frustrating. Polyurethane sounds promising from what you're saying, but the cleanup hassle has me hesitating a bit.
One thing I wonder about hybrids: how well do they handle temperature swings? I've noticed some caulks get brittle in winter and then soften up too much in summer heat. My south-facing wall gets blasted year-round, so durability through extremes is key.
Your awning idea caught my attention too—seems like a smart way to reduce direct sun exposure altogether. Might actually help with energy costs in summer as a bonus. Hmm, now you've got me thinking...
Hybrid sealants are pretty solid in my experience:
- Handle temp swings way better than silicone—haven't seen them crack or go gummy yet, even with harsh winters and blazing summers.
- Cleanup isn't as nightmarish as polyurethane, but still wear gloves... learned that the hard way.
- Awning's a good call; I put one up last year and noticed less fading on furniture inside too. Bonus points for lower AC bills.
"Cleanup isn't as nightmarish as polyurethane, but still wear gloves... learned that the hard way."
Haha, wish I'd read this sooner—I spent a good half-hour scrubbing hybrid sealant off my fingers last weekend. Definitely second your awning suggestion too; installed mine a few months back and noticed an immediate difference in indoor comfort. Good to hear hybrid sealants hold up well over time, makes me feel better about my choice. Thanks for sharing your experience!
"Definitely second your awning suggestion too; installed mine a few months back and noticed an immediate difference in indoor comfort."
Agreed on the awning—I noticed the same thing after installing mine last summer. On the sealant issue, hybrid sealants definitely strike a good balance between flexibility and durability, but I've found that surface prep makes a huge difference in longevity. Did you use any primer beforehand? I've heard mixed opinions on whether primer is necessary, especially around windows exposed to heavy rain... curious what others have experienced.
- Installed hybrid sealant around my windows last fall, skipped the primer (figured it was just marketing hype).
- Held up fine through winter, but now with spring rains, noticing some minor leaks again.
- Wondering if primer would've made a difference or if it's just inevitable wear and tear...
- Anyone had better luck with weather stripping instead? Seems simpler, but maybe less durable long-term.
"Wondering if primer would've made a difference or if it's just inevitable wear and tear..."
Honestly, I used to think primer was just another upsell too, until I learned the hard way. A couple of years back, I sealed my patio doors with a similar hybrid caulk—figured skipping primer wouldn't matter since it stuck pretty well initially. Winter passed without issues, but come springtime, same story as yours—rain sneaking right back in.
After some frustration and a bit of reading up, I decided to redo the job properly with primer this time around. The difference was noticeable almost immediately. Primer doesn't just help adhesion; it also creates a stronger barrier against moisture penetration over time. It seems like an extra step (and expense), but from my experience, it genuinely makes the sealant last longer and perform better.
As for weather stripping, I've tried that route on some older windows in our guest room. It's definitely quicker and easier to install—no mess, no drying time—but durability-wise... ehh. After about two seasons, it started peeling off in spots and losing its flexibility. If you're looking for something quick and temporary or dealing with windows you open frequently, weather stripping might be fine. But for long-term waterproofing around stationary windows or doors exposed to heavy weather, I'd stick with caulk (properly primed this time).
Bottom line: Primer isn't hype—it does make a real difference in how well your sealant holds up over time. Learned that lesson myself after doing the job twice... save yourself the hassle!
"Primer doesn't just help adhesion; it also creates a stronger barrier against moisture penetration over time."
Interesting point... but do you think the type of caulk matters too? I've used silicone without primer and haven't had issues yet—maybe it's luck, or does silicone behave differently? Curious now.