I totally get the worry about condensation—old wood windows are like little science experiments for moisture. When I started using the gel (I went with the Frost King stuff), I was also a bit paranoid about trapping water and making my paint situation even worse. What I noticed, though, is if you apply it on a really dry day and make sure the surface is clean (like, dust rag and maybe a quick pass with a hair dryer if it’s chilly), it seems to create a decent seal without actually locking in any dampness that’s already there. The trick is not to glob it on too thick. If you go overboard, it can definitely feel airtight, and that’s when you risk condensation hanging around.
One thing I do is leave a tiny gap at the bottom corner of each window—just enough that if any moisture does sneak in, it has an escape route. Not sure if that’s “by the book,” but so far, no new paint disasters or weird musty smells. The gel peels off pretty cleanly in spring, too, which is a nice bonus compared to scraping off tape residue or dealing with those foam strips that leave behind sticky gunk.
If you’re in a super-humid climate, though, I’d keep an eye on things for the first season just to be safe. My house is in upstate NY where winters are dry-ish, so your mileage may vary. And yeah, painter’s tape on old trim is basically an invitation for splinters and regrets... learned that one the hard way last year.
Curious if anyone else has tried those shrink-wrap window kits? I always end up with at least one window looking like a crumpled potato chip bag, but maybe that’s just me.
- Used the shrink-wrap kits for a couple winters—mixed results.
- When it works, you get that nice tight drum effect and zero drafts.
- But if the window frame isn’t perfectly clean or there’s any leftover paint flakes, the adhesive doesn’t stick long and you end up with saggy plastic halfway through January.
- Had one kit peel off completely in a cold snap because I rushed the install. Learned to wipe everything down and let it dry before sticking anything.
- The potato chip bag look is all too familiar. If I don’t get the tape lined up exactly right at the corners, it crinkles when you hit it with the hair dryer. Doesn’t affect performance much but looks kind of sad from the street.
- One upside: No sticky residue on my old, splintery trim (totally with you on painter’s tape being a nightmare for old wood). The double-sided tape from the shrink-wrap kits peels off pretty clean in spring.
- Biggest downside: If you need to open a window for any reason—forget it. You’re stuck until warm weather unless you want to redo the whole thing.
- I live in central PA, so humidity’s not as bad as coastal spots but still get some condensation if I seal things up too tight. Haven’t had major paint issues but I do try to crack a window upstairs on sunny afternoons just to keep air moving.
- Tried those rope caulk strips too—easy to apply, but they can leave a bit of residue if you press them in hard or leave them on too long.
- In my experience, nothing’s perfect for these old windows… It’s always a tradeoff between keeping warm and not wrecking your trim or paint. At least these fixes are cheap and reversible if they don’t work out.
In my experience, nothing’s perfect for these old windows… It’s always a tradeoff between keeping warm and not wrecking your trim or paint.
You nailed it—old windows are stubborn. Getting that “tight drum effect” is satisfying, but yeah, prep really is everything. I’ve seen folks get frustrated with saggy plastic and blame the kit, but usually it’s dust or uneven surfaces. Have you ever tried a denatured alcohol wipe before applying the tape? It can help with adhesion, especially on flaky paint. And I hear you on condensation—sometimes sealing too well actually backfires. There’s always something to balance.
I’ve seen folks get frustrated with saggy plastic and blame the kit, but usually it’s dust or uneven surfaces.
That’s been my experience too—most of the time, it’s poor prep, not the kit itself. Denatured alcohol works, but I’ve run into issues where old oil-based paint just flakes off no matter what you do. Ever had a situation where the tape actually pulled off a chunk of trim? I’m starting to wonder if it’s safer to use removable caulk instead, even if it’s a pain to clean up in spring...
Yeah, tape pulling paint off is a pain—happened to me on some 70s trim that’d been painted way too many times. The adhesive just grabs those loose layers. Removable caulk does seal better, but like you said, it’s a hassle to clean up. I’ve started using painter’s tape with a really light tack and pressing it down with a plastic putty knife. Not perfect, but less risk of damage... at least on my old windows.
Man, I feel this. Tried painter’s tape on my living room windows last month and it still managed to snag a little paint, even though I barely pressed it down. Old paint just wants to jump off, I guess. Haven’t been brave enough to try the caulk yet—anything that involves “cleanup” sounds like a Saturday gone wrong. Your putty knife trick is clever though... might steal that one. These old houses keep us on our toes, huh?
Yeah, old paint is a beast—especially on drafty windows. I get nervous with caulk too, but it’s not as messy as it sounds if you go slow. Here’s what’s worked for me: tape off the area (even if the tape isn’t perfect), run a thin bead of caulk, then smooth it with a damp finger or that putty knife trick. Wipe up extra with a wet rag right away. The cleanup’s not too bad if you keep a trash bag and some paper towels handy. It’s wild how much warmer the room feels after sealing those gaps.
I’m with you on the caulk—was way more nervous about it than I needed to be. My first try was a little rough, but after a couple windows, it got easier. The tape thing helps a lot, but I still managed to get some on the glass. Scraped it off with a razor blade after it dried, no big deal.
I noticed after sealing up the worst gaps, the room didn’t just feel warmer, it was way quieter too. Didn’t expect that. But I’m still not sure if I should bother messing with the outside trim or just stick to the inside for now. Anyone had better luck focusing outside? I keep hearing mixed things—some say you have to do both sides or you’re just trapping moisture in the frame.
Also curious if anyone’s tried those shrink-wrap window kits for winter? I keep seeing them at the hardware store and wonder if they’re worth it for old windows, or if caulk does enough on its own. My house is from the 50s and replacing all the windows isn’t in the cards yet… just trying to make it through another stormy season without freezing or getting hit with another monster heating bill.
- Right there with you on the caulk—my first time was a mess, but it really does get easier. Tape helps, but I still get some on the glass every time. Razor blade is a lifesaver.
- On inside vs outside: I’ve heard both sides too. Personally, I just did the inside last winter and it helped a ton with drafts and noise. Didn’t see any moisture issues, but I’m in a pretty dry climate. If you’re somewhere damp, maybe be more careful—trapping moisture can definitely wreck old wood frames over time.
- Shrink-wrap kits? Used them for two winters before I got brave enough to try caulking. They’re not magic, but they do cut down on drafts if your windows are leaky. Downside is they look a bit cheap and you have to redo them every year. If you’re on a budget, though, they’re worth a shot.
- Replacing windows is crazy expensive, so I get wanting to stretch what you’ve got. You’re not alone trying to make these old houses work through another winter... sometimes it feels like a losing battle, but every little fix helps.
Replacing windows is crazy expensive, so I get wanting to stretch what you’ve got.
Yeah, I’m definitely in the “make do” camp right now. First winter in this place and I tried the shrink-wrap kit—honestly, it looked pretty sad but did keep out a ton of draft. I’m still figuring out caulking (my lines are wobbly at best), but already noticing less cold air sneaking in. My house is old enough that nothing is square, so every fix feels like a patch job... but hey, it’s warmer than last year.