Good points, but honestly foam weather stripping can degrade pretty quickly if exposed to moisture regularly. I've had better luck with silicone-based caulk—it's flexible enough to handle minor shifts without cracking and holds up way better against rain long-term. Just my two cents...
Silicone caulk definitely holds up better long-term, but have you had any issues with removing it later on if you need to replace or repair the window? I've seen some cases where silicone bonds so strongly it ends up damaging the frame when you try to peel it off. Curious if you've run into that problem or found a workaround...
Silicone definitely bonds tight, and yeah, I've seen it pull paint or even bits of wood off frames when people try to scrape it away. The trick I've found is using a silicone remover gel—apply it generously, let it sit a good while (longer than the instructions say, honestly), and then gently scrape with a plastic putty knife. Takes patience, but it usually comes off without wrecking the frame. Still prefer silicone overall though...the durability outweighs the hassle of removal in my book.
Yeah, silicone remover gel can be a lifesaver, but have you noticed any discoloration or residue left behind after using it? I've had mixed results—sometimes it cleans up perfectly, other times there's this faint shadow on the paint. Wonder if it's down to the brand or maybe how long I let it sit. Still, silicone's durability is hard to beat...just wish removal wasn't such a gamble sometimes.
"sometimes it cleans up perfectly, other times there's this faint shadow on the paint."
Yeah, I've noticed that too. A few things I've found helpful:
- Letting the remover gel sit just long enough—too short and it doesn't fully break down, too long and it can start to discolor.
- Brand definitely matters. I switched once because of a sale (lesson learned, lol) and ended up with that annoying shadow you're talking about.
- After removal, wiping down thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol seems to help clear any leftover residue.
Honestly though, silicone's durability makes it worth the occasional headache. Weather stripping can be easier to replace later on if you're worried about future cleanup, but caulk usually seals better in my experience. Depends how much water you're dealing with...and how much patience you have for cleanup down the road.
"Brand definitely matters. I switched once because of a sale (lesson learned, lol) and ended up with that annoying shadow you're talking about."
Haha, been there myself—nothing like saving a few bucks only to spend hours scrubbing off mystery residue later. Honestly though, I've found weather stripping to be way less of a headache overall. Sure, silicone caulk seals tighter initially, but when it comes time to replace or clean up...ugh. Weather stripping just peels right off without leaving behind those ghostly shadows or needing chemical warfare to remove it.
But yeah, if you're dealing with heavy rain or wind-driven moisture, caulk might still be your best bet despite the cleanup hassle. One trick I've learned is using painter's tape along the edges before applying silicone—makes cleanup way easier and reduces the chance of staining.
Curious though, has anyone tried hybrid sealants? Supposedly they're easier to remove than pure silicone but still hold up pretty well against water intrusion. Might be worth looking into if you're tired of battling shadows on your paint job...
Painter's tape is a lifesaver—I wish I'd known that trick sooner, would've saved me from some serious frustration. I've tried one of those hybrid sealants you're talking about, and honestly, it wasn't bad at all. Easier cleanup than silicone for sure, but still felt pretty sturdy. Not sure how it'd hold up long-term though...maybe someone else here has had one in place longer and can weigh in?
Painter's tape seriously changed the game for me too, wish I'd known earlier—it would've saved a lot of headaches. I've had hybrid sealant around my kitchen window for about two years now, and it's still holding strong. Definitely easier cleanup than silicone, and no leaks yet... fingers crossed it stays that way.
Hybrid sealant's definitely underrated—glad to see someone else giving it some love. I've used silicone plenty of times, and while it's reliable, cleanup is always a pain. I switched to hybrid sealants around my bathroom windows about three years ago, and honestly, haven't looked back since. Still flexible, no cracking, and zero leaks so far. Painter's tape is a lifesaver too; I learned that lesson after spending way too much time scraping dried silicone off tiles (never again...).
But to the original question, if rain's sneaking in, I'd lean toward sealant first. Weather stripping is great for drafts and gaps around moving parts, but for stationary window frames, a good-quality hybrid or polyurethane sealant usually does the trick. Just make sure to prep the surface properly—clean, dry, and free from old caulk residue—and you'll be golden.
Hybrid sealant sounds solid, but honestly, weather stripping solved my issue. Had rain sneaking in around my bedroom window frame—tried caulk first, still leaked. Switched to weather stripping and it's been dry since. Maybe depends on the gap size or something...