Had a similar experience with foam tape myself—worked great at first, but after one winter, it started peeling and leaving sticky residue behind. Switched to silicone strips too, and they've held up way better. One tip: make sure to clean the window frames thoroughly with rubbing alcohol before applying silicone weatherstripping. Helps it stick better and last longer, especially on older wood frames like mine. Glad you found something that finally worked...foggy windows are such a pain.
"make sure to clean the window frames thoroughly with rubbing alcohol before applying silicone weatherstripping."
Good tip, but honestly, silicone strips aren't always the magic fix they're cracked up to be. Had them peel off after a couple seasons too. Personally, I've had better luck with V-seal weatherstripping—less hassle overall and holds up surprisingly well.
Interesting to hear about the V-seal... I've found silicone strips pretty reliable myself, but maybe climate or window material makes a difference? Ever tried compression foam tape instead—how'd that hold up for you?
I’ve used compression foam tape on my older wooden windows, and honestly, it worked pretty well at first. But after a couple of seasons, it started to flatten out and lose its "springiness," if you know what I mean. Maybe it was the humidity or just the quality I bought. Silicone strips definitely lasted longer for me too, but I'm curious now about the V-seal—never gave that one a shot. Might be worth experimenting next winter...
Compression foam tape losing its bounce after a while is pretty common, especially if your windows see a lot of humidity or temperature swings. Silicone strips definitely hold up better, as you've noticed. I've used V-seal quite a bit on older wooden windows, and honestly, it's been one of the best solutions I've found so far. The trick with V-seal is getting the placement just right—too tight and it won't seal properly, too loose and you'll still get drafts.
If you do give it a try next winter, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry the window frames before applying. Also, pay attention to the corners—sometimes you need to cut small notches or overlaps so it sits flush and doesn't peel up at the edges. One thing I'm curious about though...did you notice any condensation issues with silicone strips? Sometimes they seal almost too well, trapping moisture inside. Wondering if anyone else has experienced that.
I've had pretty good luck with silicone strips myself, and you're spot-on about the prep work being key. I spent extra time cleaning the frames with rubbing alcohol beforehand, and that seemed to help them stick better and last longer. Didn't really notice condensation issues, but my windows are double-pane, so maybe that's why? Anyway, your tip about cutting notches for corners is great—wish I'd thought of that sooner.
Silicone strips can definitely help, but honestly, I've seen better long-term results with weatherstripping tape—especially the foam kind. Silicone tends to lose its grip after a season or two, even with thorough prep. Foam tape compresses nicely and fills gaps better, in my experience. Also, double-pane windows aren't immune to condensation issues... if you're not seeing any, your indoor humidity might just be lower than average. Still, good call on the corner notches—makes installation way less frustrating.
Foam tape is def underrated. My go-to method: clean the window edges (seriously, don't skip this), measure twice, cut once, and press firmly. Silicone strips always seem promising but end up dangling sadly by February... ask me how I know, lol.
Foam tape can be decent, sure, but have you tried the shrink-wrap window insulation kits? I mean, foam tape is fine if you're meticulous about prep (and it sounds like you are), but even then, doesn't it start peeling at the corners after a while? Maybe it's just me, but I've had mixed results.
The shrink-wrap stuff isn't perfect either—I'll admit it looks a bit tacky—but if you take your time with the hairdryer, it tightens up pretty clear and stays put all winter. No dangling silicone strips or slowly peeling foam edges by February. Plus, it creates a nice insulating air pocket that foam tape alone can't quite match.
Not knocking your method entirely, just wondering if you've given this alternative a fair shot. Curious if others have had better luck with foam tape long-term...
"The shrink-wrap stuff isn't perfect either—I'll admit it looks a bit tacky—but if you take your time with the hairdryer, it tightens up pretty clear and stays put all winter."
Yeah, I've tried both foam tape and shrink-wrap kits. Foam tape always seems promising at first, but you're right—it inevitably starts peeling at the corners after a month or two. The shrink-wrap does hold up better, but honestly, I can't stand how it looks. Has anyone experimented with magnetic window inserts? Heard they're effective but kinda pricey...wondering if they're worth the investment.