I totally get the struggle with removable weatherstripping. Did you find it wasn't sticking because of moisture or maybe temperature swings? I had a similar issue last year—got super frustrated because it kept peeling off at the corners, especially when the weather got colder. Thought it was just me being clumsy with installation, honestly.
The shrink-wrap kits are a solid idea though. Did you notice any improvement with drafts or condensation after using them? I've heard mixed things about how effective they really are, but your experience sounds promising. Plus, it's nice to have a solution that doesn't involve permanent changes to vintage frames—I know how nerve-wracking drilling into older woodwork can be. Glad you found something that worked out in the end!
Had the same issue with removable weatherstripping myself—pretty sure temperature swings were the culprit. Adhesive just became brittle whenever temps dropped below freezing, and corners started peeling up like clockwork. Ended up switching to shrink-wrap film kits too; honestly surprised how much they reduced condensation and drafts, especially in my older windows. Not a miracle cure by any means, but for minimal hassle and preserving vintage trim, they're a solid workaround...beats drilling into century-old wood any day.
"Ended up switching to shrink-wrap film kits too; honestly surprised how much they reduced condensation and drafts"
Shrink-wrap definitely helps, but ever considered interior storm windows? Bit pricier upfront, but they're pretty subtle visually and way more effective long-term...especially if you're serious about preserving those vintage trims.
Tried shrink-wrap last winter—definitely helped—but switched to interior storms this year. Honestly, worth every penny...no more foggy mornings and the old wood trim still looks great. Bit of a splurge upfront, but zero regrets here.
Interesting, did you install the interior storms yourself or have someone do it? I've been debating between shrink-wrap again (did help last year, but hated the look...) and something more permanent. Curious how tricky the install was—especially with older windows that aren't exactly square anymore. Also, do you notice any difference in noise reduction? Our street gets kinda loud sometimes, so that's another factor I'm considering.
I installed interior storms myself last winter—honestly wasn't too tricky. Older windows here too, and yeah, nothing's square anymore, haha. The key was measuring carefully (twice!) and getting adjustable frames that allow some wiggle room. Noise-wise, it won't silence your street completely, but definitely cuts down on the sharper sounds like traffic or voices. I'd say it's noticeably quieter than shrink-wrap, plus no more plastic crinkle noise when the wind blows...that's a bonus right there.
One thing though—if aesthetics bugged you with shrink-wrap, interior storms aren't exactly invisible either. But at least they're neat and clean-looking, more like an intentional upgrade than a DIY hack. Overall worth the effort IMO, especially if you're tired of redoing plastic every year.
I agree that careful measuring is crucial—older homes certainly throw some curveballs, don't they? I've been considering interior storms myself, mainly to tackle condensation issues. Did you notice a significant reduction in fogging or moisture buildup on your windows? Also, curious if you've seen any noticeable energy savings compared to shrink-wrap...my heating bills are getting a bit out of hand lately, so that's another factor I'm weighing.
"Did you notice a significant reduction in fogging or moisture buildup on your windows?"
Definitely saw a noticeable improvement with interior storms—way less condensation buildup compared to shrink-wrap. Energy-wise, bills dropped slightly, maybe 10-15%, nothing dramatic but still worth it for comfort alone.
I've noticed interior storms help a lot too, but I still get a bit of moisture buildup on really cold mornings. It's definitely better than shrink-wrap though—I never liked dealing with that sticky tape residue in spring. Energy savings weren't huge for me either, maybe 5-10%, but it's worth it just not having to wipe down windows every day...
Interior storms can help, but if you're still seeing moisture buildup, it might be worth checking your home's humidity levels. Sometimes just tweaking ventilation or running exhaust fans a bit longer can make a noticeable difference...might even boost those energy savings a bit more.