Weatherstripping is Easy and Can Save You Money
The installation of weatherstripping around your windows and doors can significantly lower your heating and cooling costs. Vinyl, felt, and rubber are the weatherstripping types that are used the most often.
Weatherstripping Is Cheap And Effective
Weatherstripping is one of the easiest and most effective ways to cut your heating and cooling costs and your electricity bill. Weatherstripping can take as little as 5 minutes and last for years. Weatherstripping is the material that seals the gaps between a structure and the pieces that are fitted within the structure. For example, a door frame has weatherstripping on it which allows for a tight seal when the door is closed. This reduces or eliminates the heat flow in and out of the space. Before putting weatherstripping anywhere in your home, you first must find the air leaks and determine the kind of ventilation that your home needs to recycle the air.
Choosing Weatherstripping
The weatherstripping you choose will differ based on the use and location. Weatherstripping must be able to withstand any number of conditions including weather, temperature fluctuations, normal daily wear, sliding and so forth. When choosing weatherstripping be sure to factor in amount of usage, shape of the space, weather, and durability when determining costs. Here are a few different types of weatherstripping and their pros and cons.
- Vinyl
- It creates a tension seal when folded lengthwise in a V shape
- Best inside the track of a sliding door or window
- It is relatively cheap and durable and is easy to install
- However, the surface must be flat and smooth to apply
- Felt
- Comes either with a sticky back or has a flexible metal strip attached
- Good for around a window or a door jamb
- Very cheap, easy to install but does not last long and is prone to moisture and is the least effective against airflow
- Tubular Rubber or Vinyl
- Vinyl or sponge rubber tubes can be stapled or tacked into place
- Great for around windows and doors as it is a very effective air barrier
- Can be more difficult to install than other weatherstripping
- It is more expensive than vinyl or similar weatherstripping
- Door Sweep
- It is made of aluminum or stainless steel with brush of plastic, vinyl, sponge, or felt
- Used on the bottom of the interior side of an inward swinging door and the opposite side for an exterior swinging door
- Moderately expensive but relatively easy to install and usually adjustable to prevent wear, increasing durability
Be sure to measure the perimeter of the doors and windows to be weatherstripped and add between 5 and 10% to allow for mistakes and waste.
Weatherstripping Installation
Each type of weatherstripping will come with instructions about installation that are specific to the kind. However, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind.
- Choose the appropriate weatherstripping for the job
- Measure twice, cut once
- Apply to a clean and dry surface in temperatures above 20°F
- Make sure weatherstripping is applied snuggly against the surface and that it meets tightly in the corners
- Weatherstrip the entire perimeter
- Use a thickness that causes the weatherstripping to tightly compress without compromising the functionality of the window or door
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