Good point about the silicone bumpers—I switched to them last year and noticed a big difference. Couple things I found helpful too:
- Make sure the grille edges are clean and dry before installing anything; trapped dirt or moisture can accelerate rust.
- If you're still seeing condensation, check if your indoor humidity is consistently high. A small dehumidifier or even just cracking a window slightly can help.
Had foam strips before, and yeah...they're decent short-term, but silicone bumpers definitely hold up better long-term.
Good advice on checking humidity levels—I see a lot of folks underestimate how much indoor moisture contributes to window fogging. Silicone bumpers are definitely a step up from foam strips, especially if you're tired of replacing them every season. Another quick tip: if you're noticing stubborn condensation, sometimes just rearranging furniture or curtains to improve airflow around the windows can help a surprising amount. Glad you've found something that works long-term...it's always satisfying when you finally nail down a solution.
"sometimes just rearranging furniture or curtains to improve airflow around the windows can help a surprising amount."
Totally agree with this. You wouldn't believe how many times I've seen heavy drapes practically glued to the glass, trapping moisture like crazy. Another sneaky culprit is blinds—especially those thick wooden ones. They look great, but man, they can block airflow big-time. Swapping them out or even just cracking them open slightly can make a noticeable difference. Glad you finally kicked foggy windows to the curb...it's a small victory, but it feels awesome, doesn't it?
"Another sneaky culprit is blinds—especially those thick wooden ones."
Interesting point about the wooden blinds, but honestly, I've had the opposite experience. My wooden blinds actually seem to help a bit because they don't absorb moisture like fabric curtains do. I think the real issue is how tightly they're closed—if you leave them cracked open slightly, airflow improves noticeably. Still, nothing beats proper window insulation or weather stripping if you're serious about tackling condensation long-term...just my two cents.
Funny you mention airflow—I had these heavy wooden blinds at my old place, and at first, I blamed them for the constant fogging. But one weekend, I left them slightly open by mistake, and surprisingly, the windows stayed clear. Seems like just that tiny gap made a big difference. Still skeptical they're a full solution though...probably more of a band-aid fix compared to proper insulation or weather sealing.
"Seems like just that tiny gap made a big difference."
Yeah, airflow can help a bit, but have you checked your window seals lately? I spent years fiddling with blinds and curtains before realizing the seals were shot... replacing those made way more difference than any gap trick.
Good point about the seals—I overlooked mine for ages too. Also worth checking if your windows have drainage holes at the bottom of the frame. Mine were clogged with dirt and debris, trapping moisture inside and making fogging worse. Cleared them out with an old toothbrush and it made a noticeable difference. Simple fix, but easy to miss...
Good shout on the drainage holes—I didn't even know windows had those until recently. 😂 A few months back, I was convinced my windows were just cheap junk because of all the fogging. Turns out, nope, just years of gunk blocking those tiny holes. Quick scrub with a toothpick and some compressed air, and suddenly my "cheap junk" windows are magically decent again. Who knew windows needed their own plumbing system...?
Haha, windows having their own plumbing is spot on... I had a similar revelation with my sliding patio door track—years of dirt and leaves jammed in there. Ever checked yours? Might be another hidden gunk trap waiting to surprise you.
"Ever checked yours? Might be another hidden gunk trap waiting to surprise you."
You know, I laughed when I read this because I just went through something similar last weekend. Decided on a whim to clean out my patio door track...and oh boy, the stuff I found in there was like an archaeological dig. Leaves, dirt, random twigs, even a Lego piece—I don't even have kids! Makes me wonder how long it's been since the previous owner gave it a good clean.
But honestly, it's pretty satisfying once it's all cleared out. The door slides so smoothly now—feels like a new installation. It's funny how these little things around the house can make such a noticeable difference. Now you've got me eyeing my windows suspiciously again... guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend.