"Has anyone noticed if they help much with drafts too, or just moisture?"
I've used those window films a couple winters now, and honestly, they're pretty decent at cutting down drafts—not perfect, but noticeable enough to make the room feel warmer. Moisture-wise, I still get some condensation on really cold days, but it's definitely less than before. Curious though... has anyone tried combining film with weather stripping? Wondering if doubling up makes a significant difference or if it's just overkill.
Curious though...
I've found window films decent for drafts too, but honestly, if you're dealing with actual rain sneaking in, film won't cut it. Weather stripping or caulk is your best bet—film's more of a band-aid for air leaks, not water intrusion.
"film's more of a band-aid for air leaks, not water intrusion."
Yeah, learned that the hard way myself... Had rain sneaking in last spring, tried film first—big mistake. Ended up caulking around the frame, and it's been dry ever since. Have you checked if the wood's still solid underneath?
Good call mentioning the wood underneath—lots of folks skip that step. If it feels spongy or soft, might be worth pulling off the trim to check deeper. Better to catch rot early than deal with bigger headaches later... learned that one myself the hard way.
"Better to catch rot early than deal with bigger headaches later... learned that one myself the hard way."
Couldn't agree more. Seen plenty of folks slap caulk on thinking it'll fix everything, but if there's moisture already seeping into the wood, you're just sealing in trouble. Caulk and weather stripping are great preventive measures, but they're not miracle cures once damage sets in. If you're noticing softness or discoloration, odds are you've got rot starting behind there and it won't stop on its own. Pulling trim isn't fun—been there—but it's way cheaper than replacing framing or dealing with mold remediation down the line. Also worth checking if your flashing was installed properly; bad flashing lets water sneak right past all your careful caulking efforts. Better safe than sorry when it comes to water damage around windows...
Yeah, caulk's great until it's not. Had a similar issue myself—thought a quick bead would do the trick, but nope.
Exactly this. Ended up redoing flashing and trim... lesson learned the soggy way."bad flashing lets water sneak right past all your careful caulking efforts."
Had a similar issue when I first moved into my place. Thought caulk was the magic fix for everything until the next big storm hit and water started dripping in again. Turns out, like you said:
"bad flashing lets water sneak right past all your careful caulking efforts."
Ended up biting the bullet and redoing the flashing properly. Honestly, weather stripping might help drafts, but if water's getting in, it's probably something deeper... learned that one the hard way too.
Yeah, flashing is usually the culprit in these cases. Caulk and weather stripping are great for minor gaps or drafts, but once water finds a path behind the siding or trim, it's game over. Seen plenty of homeowners try the quick fix route only to end up redoing it properly later. Good on you for tackling it head-on—it's a pain, but at least now you know it's done right.
Flashing's definitely key, but I wouldn't completely dismiss caulk or weather stripping as just "quick fixes." I've seen cases where proper caulking, done thoughtfully, has held up surprisingly well for years. Sure, if water's already behind the trim, you've got bigger issues—but if caught early enough, a careful caulk job can save you from tearing everything apart. It's all about timing and technique...and knowing when you're past the point of no return.
Had a similar issue last spring—rain was sneaking in around the kitchen window frame. Thought I'd have to rip everything out, but decided to give caulking a shot first. Took my time, cleaned everything thoroughly, and applied it carefully. Honestly, it's held up great so far, even through some heavy storms. Definitely agree it's about catching it early and doing it right...saved me a ton of hassle (and money).