Honestly, half the job is just figuring out which shortcut won’t bite you later.
That’s the truth. Last winter I tried that shrink film kit everyone raves about—looked great for a week, then the cat tore a hole straight through it. Ended up going back to old-fashioned putty, even though it’s a pain to clean up. I’d rather deal with a little mess than have cold air sneaking in all season. Every year I think I’ll find a better trick, but somehow it always circles back to basics.
Funny you mention the cat—had a client with the same issue, except their dog tried to eat the film. Honestly, I’ve patched more shrink kits than I care to admit. At this point, if the window’s old and drafty, I just recommend a good scrape and fresh putty. It’s messy, but it holds up better and you only have to do it once a season (if that). Sometimes the “quick fixes” just end up being more work in the long run.
I get where you're coming from with the putty, but I’ve had mixed results. Maybe it’s my 1940s windows, but even after a solid scrape and new putty, I still get some drafts around the sash. Honestly, the shrink kits aren’t perfect, but they do help in a pinch—especially when you’re not ready to take on a full reglaze job mid-winter. Sometimes it feels like there’s no real “one and done” fix for old windows...
Honestly, the shrink kits aren’t perfect, but they do help in a pinch—especially when you’re not ready to take on a full reglaze job mid-winter.
Man, I hear you on the shrink kits. My place is from the late 30s, and those windows have more personality than I do. Every winter, I think about tackling the whole reglaze thing, but then the first snow hits and I’m suddenly a big fan of the “temporary fix” approach. Shrink kits are like putting a band-aid on a leaky dam—awkward, but better than nothing.
One year, I tried that rope caulk stuff too. It worked... sorta? Until my dog decided it was a chew toy. Drafts came back with a vengeance after that.
Honestly, I’ve just accepted that my old windows are like that one uncle who shows up uninvited—can’t get rid of him, so you just try to keep things comfortable. Maybe someday I’ll bite the bullet and go full restoration, but for now, it’s shrink film, fleece socks, and a lot of hot tea.
Shrink kits definitely have their place, especially when you’re dealing with old windows that seem to leak air no matter what you do. I’ve tried a bunch of fixes over the years—rope caulk, weatherstripping, even those draft snakes—and nothing’s really perfect. The shrink film at least gives you a quick win, even if it looks a bit janky around the edges. Have you ever looked into interior storm panels? I’ve been debating whether they’re worth the hassle or if it’s just another layer to mess with every year...
Have you ever looked into interior storm panels? I’ve been debating whether they’re worth the hassle or if it’s just another layer to mess with every year...
Tried interior storms a couple winters ago after fighting with plastic film for ages. Honestly, they're a bit of a pain to size right the first time, but once they're in, they’re way less fiddly than shrink kits. Didn’t love how bulky they looked, but the drafts dropped off big time. If you’re sick of redoing film every year, might be worth a shot—just expect some trial and error at first.
- Seen a lot of folks try both—plastic film’s cheap but man, it’s a pain every year.
- Interior storms are a bit clunky-looking, but at least you’re not peeling tape off your trim come spring.
- If you’ve got old windows with weird sizes, getting a good seal can be tricky (ask me how I know...).
- Curious—anyone ever tried the magnetic panel kits? I’ve only done the compression-fit ones, and those sometimes pop loose if you slam the window too hard.
Tried the plastic film last winter—thought I’d nailed it, but peeling all that sticky tape off my 1920s trim was a nightmare. Magnetic panels sound interesting, but do they actually stay put? My windows aren’t exactly square, so I’m a little skeptical...
Magnetic panels sound interesting, but do they actually stay put? My windows aren’t exactly square, so I’m a little skeptical...
You’re right to be cautious—magnetic panels work best when the frame’s got a consistent surface, and old windows tend to have quirks. I’ve had luck using flexible magnetic strips that can follow the shape, but you’ll probably need to custom-cut both the panel and the strip for each window. Did you notice if your window frames are painted metal or wood? That can change how well magnets grip—sometimes I have to add a thin steel strip to get a good hold.
I get where you're coming from—my old place had windows that were more “sorta square” than actually square, and it definitely made things fiddly. The magnetic strips did alright, but I had to fuss with them a bit, especially around the corners where nothing lined up quite right. Still, they held better than I expected once I added a little adhesive here and there. It’s a bit of trial and error, but if you’re tired of wiping down fog every morning, it’s worth a shot.