Had a similar issue at my place last winter—kept running the dehumidifier nonstop, but still woke up to damp windowsills after every storm. It drove me nuts because I thought I'd covered all bases with moisture control.
Finally took a closer look at the windows and realized the seals were pretty worn out. Honestly, I hadn't even considered that before reading about it online. Ended up spending a weekend replacing weatherstripping and adding some silicone caulk around the frames (nothing fancy, just basic hardware store stuff). The difference was immediate. Didn't completely ditch the dehumidifier, but now I only run it occasionally instead of 24/7.
One thing I'd add though: check your exterior drainage too. My gutters were clogged and overflowing near one window, which definitely didn't help matters. Once I cleared those out, things improved even more.
It's funny how we sometimes overlook simple fixes and jump straight to gadgets or appliances... guilty as charged here.
Great points about the gutters—it's crazy how often people overlook drainage. I've seen folks spend a fortune on fancy windows only to realize later their gutters were the real culprit. Weatherstripping and caulk are definitely underrated heroes, though silicone can be a bit messy if you're not careful (speaking from experience here, still finding dried bits months later...).
One other thing worth checking is your window glazing. Older coastal homes especially tend to have glazing putty that's cracked or missing chunks, letting moisture sneak in unnoticed. Quick fix with some fresh putty can make a surprising difference.
Curious if anyone's tried storm windows or film kits as a temporary fix? I've heard mixed reviews—some swear by them, others say they're more hassle than they're worth.
"Curious if anyone's tried storm windows or film kits as a temporary fix? I've heard mixed reviews—some swear by them, others say they're more hassle than they're worth."
I've tried film kits myself and honestly, they're not that bad. Sure, installation can be a bit fiddly (and yeah, hairdryers get involved...), but they noticeably cut down drafts. Worth a shot before investing in pricier fixes.
Film kits were a lifesaver for me last winter—first-time homeowner here, so everything's a bit of trial-and-error right now. And yeah, the hairdryer thing had me feeling pretty ridiculous (my neighbors must've wondered why I was blow-drying my windows at 9 pm...), but it genuinely made a difference with drafts. Still, wasn't perfect, and after a couple months, one corner started peeling off. Maybe user error though...?
Actually been wondering about storm windows myself—do they really hold up better in heavy coastal storms? I'm worried about investing in something that's gonna rattle like crazy or leak anyway when the wind gets wild. Anyone have experience with those during actual stormy weather?
Storm windows can definitely hold their own in coastal storms if installed right. A few quick points from personal experience:
- Proper installation is key—make sure they're snug and sealed well, or you'll get rattling and leaks.
- Aluminum frames tend to handle coastal humidity better than wood (less swelling and warping).
- I've had good luck with double-track storm windows; they stay put even during heavy gusts.
Don't feel bad about the film peeling—been there myself. It's part of the homeowner learning curve...
I've had mixed results with aluminum frames myself. They're definitely better than wood for coastal humidity, but I found they can still corrode a bit if your home's really close to the ocean spray. Had one window frame start looking pretty crusty after just a couple seasons... maybe it's just my luck? Curious if anyone's tried vinyl frames—heard they hold up great, but haven't tested them myself yet.
I've actually had vinyl frames for about three years now, and honestly, they've been pretty solid. My place isn't right on the beach, but close enough to get plenty of salty air and spray during storms. Haven't noticed any corrosion or crustiness yet (knock on wood... or vinyl?). Plus, from an energy efficiency standpoint, they're great at keeping drafts out—definitely noticed a difference in my heating bills after switching.
One thing I'd mention though: make sure you go for quality vinyl frames. I've heard some cheaper ones can warp or discolor over time, especially under intense sun exposure. Mine have held up fine so far, but I did spend a bit extra upfront. Maybe someone else here has had different experiences with budget-friendly options?
I've had both cheap and higher-end vinyl frames in my coastal home over the years, and I can definitely back you up on quality making a difference. When I first bought my house, budget was tight, so I went with some lower-priced vinyl frames thinking, "vinyl is vinyl," right? Well... not exactly.
The cheaper ones started showing their true colors (literally) after about two years. They got a bit yellowish and brittle from sun exposure, especially on the side of the house that faces south. I also noticed some warping around the edges, nothing extreme, but enough to make opening and closing windows a bit of a hassle. It wasn't catastrophic or anything, but definitely annoying enough that when it came time to replace them, I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade.
I went with a higher-quality brand next round—spent more than I initially wanted to—but honestly, it's been worth every penny. I'm about four years into these new ones now, and they still look basically brand new. No discoloration, no warping, and no issues with salty air corrosion either (and I'm pretty close to the water). Plus, like you mentioned, the energy efficiency improvement was noticeable almost immediately. My heating bills dropped significantly that first winter.
So yeah, from my experience, if you're living anywhere near saltwater or intense sun exposure, it's worth investing a little extra upfront. The cheaper frames might seem like a good deal initially, but they'll likely cost you more in replacements or headaches down the line. If budget is tight, maybe prioritize upgrading windows on the sides of your home most exposed to sun and weather first—that's what I ended up doing, and it helped spread out the cost without sacrificing quality.
Hope that helps!
Totally agree with your points about quality vinyl frames. I had a similar experience—initially went cheap thinking I'd save money, but ended up regretting it. One thing I'd add is to pay attention to the hardware and seals too. Even good frames can struggle if the hinges or seals aren't marine-grade stainless or corrosion-resistant. Learned that the hard way after a few stormy seasons... upgrading those small details made a huge difference in durability and ease of use.
"Even good frames can struggle if the hinges or seals aren't marine-grade stainless or corrosion-resistant."
That's a great point about the hardware—people tend to overlook those smaller bits. When I redid my windows last summer, I thought I had it all covered with quality vinyl frames, but then noticed rust spots showing up on the hinges after just one winter. Ended up swapping them out for marine-grade stainless hardware step-by-step (had to watch a few YouTube vids to figure it out, haha). Definitely worth the effort, especially if you're near saltwater air...