I tried silicone bulb stripping on some old double-hungs a couple years back. At first, I was skeptical it'd hold up through our harsh winters and humid summers, but honestly, it's been surprisingly solid. One window in particular used to leak like crazy during heavy rains, and caulk never lasted long there. Switched to silicone stripping, and it's held tight ever since—no drafts or leaks yet. Might be worth a shot if your windows move around a bit seasonally...
I've had similar experiences with caulk—it just doesn't flex enough when the seasons change. Silicone bulb stripping sounds like a solid fix, but another option you might wanna consider is compression weather stripping. I used some foam compression strips on a couple of my old windows that were leaking air and water, and they really did the trick.
Here's what I did: First, cleaned the window tracks and frames thoroughly (old grime can stop the adhesive from sticking). Then measured carefully and applied the strips along the sash edges where it meets the frame. You gotta be careful not to stretch it too much as you go, or it'll pull back later. After installing, close and latch your window tight for at least a day—this helps set the foam properly.
Two winters in now, still no leaks or drafts. Cheap and pretty easy fix too...might be worth a try if silicone stripping isn't your thing or you wanna test something different. Good luck!
Compression foam can work great, but have you noticed any issues with durability over time? I've seen foam strips compress permanently after a few seasons...curious if you've had to replace yours yet or if they're still holding up.
Compression foam definitely has its place, but yeah, durability can be a bit iffy over the long haul. I installed some compression foam strips around my own windows about three years ago. At first, they sealed perfectly—no drafts, no leaks—but after two winters and a couple of hot summers, I noticed they weren't bouncing back like they used to. They'd compressed permanently in spots, especially where the window frame pressed hardest.
Ended up swapping them out last fall for silicone weather stripping instead. Silicone tends to hold its shape better over time and doesn't degrade as quickly from temperature swings or UV exposure. Installation's pretty straightforward too: just peel off the old foam, clean the surface thoroughly (I use rubbing alcohol), measure and cut your silicone strips carefully, then press firmly into place.
Since switching over, I've had zero issues with rain sneaking in—even during heavy storms. Foam's fine for short-term fixes or less exposed areas, but if you're looking for something that'll last longer without constant replacements...silicone might be worth considering.
I've had pretty good luck with silicone too—holds up well to weather and temperature swings. But I'm curious, did you notice any issues with the silicone sticking properly? Last time I tried it, I struggled a bit getting it to adhere evenly, especially around corners. Maybe my prep wasn't thorough enough...did you do anything special besides cleaning with alcohol?
"But I'm curious, did you notice any issues with the silicone sticking properly? Last time I tried it, I struggled a bit getting it to adhere evenly, especially around corners."
I feel your pain on this one... silicone can be tricky around tight corners especially. A few years back, I had the exact same issue around my kitchen window—every time it rained hard, I'd find a little puddle sneaking onto the sill. Super frustrating. Initially, I thought just cleaning with alcohol would be enough too, but I still ended up with uneven spots and peeling corners.
What finally worked for me was using painter's tape along both sides of the joint before applying the silicone. It took a bit more prep time but was totally worth it. Basically, I'd clean with alcohol first (like you did), dry thoroughly, then lay down tape on either side of where the caulk line would go. Once I applied the silicone, I'd smooth it out with my finger (dipped in soapy water—another handy trick I learned from a friend). After smoothing, I'd peel off the tape immediately before the silicone started to set. This gave me really crisp edges and helped it adhere evenly, even around those tricky corners.
Also, temperature seemed to matter quite a bit. I noticed if it was too cold or humid when applying, the silicone wouldn't stick as well. So now I usually wait for a dry day that's not too chilly—makes a noticeable difference.
Anyway, hope this helps! Caulking can be a pain, but once you get your technique down, it's pretty satisfying seeing that neat seal keeping all the rain out.
"Also, temperature seemed to matter quite a bit. I noticed if it was too cold or humid when applying, the silicone wouldn't stick as well."
Totally agree with this. Learned that lesson the hard way myself—tried sealing a bathroom window in the middle of winter and ended up with silicone peeling off within weeks. Not fun.
Another thing that helped me was using a caulking tool instead of my finger. They're pretty cheap and give you a nice, consistent finish without the mess (and no more sticky fingers). Painter's tape is definitely a lifesaver too, especially around corners where it's easy to go off track.
One more tip: make sure you're using fresh silicone. I had an old tube lying around once and figured it'd be fine... nope. It didn't cure properly and stayed tacky forever. Grab a fresh tube if you're unsure how long it's been sitting around.
Good luck with your window—once you nail the technique, it's super satisfying seeing everything sealed up tight and dry inside.
Learned that lesson the hard way myself—tried sealing a bathroom window in the middle of winter and ended up with silicone peeling off within weeks. Not fun.
Good points all around. I'd lean toward caulk for sealing out rain—weather stripping's better for drafts and moving parts. And yeah, fresh silicone is key. Learned that the hard way too... nothing worse than sticky silicone that never cures.
Had a similar issue last fall—thought silicone would be bulletproof, but nope. Ended up scraping off gooey mess weeks later. Caulk worked better for me, but honestly, prep work seems to matter more than anything else... lesson learned, I guess.
Silicone can definitely be tricky—I've seen it fail plenty of times, usually because of surface prep or application issues. Curious, did you clean the area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits before applying? Residue or moisture left behind is often the culprit for that gooey mess you described.
If you're still dealing with rain sneaking in, here's what I'd recommend step-by-step: First, remove all old caulk or silicone completely (a sharp scraper and some patience helps here). Next, clean the surface really well—alcohol works great to remove any leftover residue. Once it's dry, apply a high-quality exterior-grade caulk specifically designed for windows and doors. Smooth it out carefully with your finger dipped in soapy water to get a tight seal. Weather stripping can help too, especially if your window has noticeable gaps or drafts around moving parts.
Honestly though, no matter what product you use, prep is key... learned that one the hard way myself more than once.