Sealing gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping can make your home feel warmer and save you a bundle on your energy bills. However, choosing the right type can be overwhelming.
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Our guide explains the different types of weatherstripping, helps you select the right materials, and provides proper installation techniques to keep your home cozy all year round.
Weather sealing acts as a barrier against drafts, moisture, dust, and noise, helping to maintain a consistent indoor temperature and improve overall energy efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air sealing doors and windows can reduce heating and cooling costs by more than 20%. Beyond the financial benefits, weatherstripping enhances your home’s comfort with these improvements:
These benefits not only make your living space more enjoyable but also contribute to a healthier indoor environment by reducing allergens and pollutants that might otherwise enter through gaps and cracks.
Several weatherstripping materials are available, each with its own advantages and applications. Here’s a breakdown of the most common weatherstripping options and the best ways to use them.
V strip, also known as tension seal, is a durable plastic or metal strip folded into a ‘V’ shape that springs open to bridge gaps. This type of weatherstripping is highly effective and long-lasting, making it a popular choice for many homeowners. It’s ideal for sealing the sides of double-hung and sliding windows, as well as the tops and sides of doors.
Felt weatherstripping is sold in rolls and is one of the most economical options available. It can be plain or reinforced with a pliable metal strip for added durability. While inexpensive, felt typically has a shorter lifespan compared to other materials, usually lasting only a year or two. This weatherstripping is ideal for sealing the sides of double-hung and sliding windows, as well as the tops and sides of doors.
Foam tape is made from open or closed-cell foam or EPDM rubber with an adhesive backing. This versatile weatherstripping is available in various widths and thicknesses, making it ideal for sealing irregular-sized cracks, particularly in window sashes and door frames.
Tubular weatherstripping is an effective air barrier made of rubber, vinyl, or silicone. It often features narrow sponge rubber or vinyl tubing attached to a wood or metal mounting strip. Silicone versions are typically inserted into milled grooves for a seamless appearance. This option works well in high-use areas like door bottoms and window sashes that require a durable, flexible seal.
Selecting the right weatherstripping material for your upgrading helps ensure the best performance and longevity. Consider factors such as location, frequency of use, and climate to make the best choice.
Depending on the extent of their project, many homeowners can complete weatherstripping in just one weekend. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to weatherstrip your home.
Doors are one of the most common sources of drafts in homes. Learning to weatherstrip your doors can significantly reduce energy loss by sealing door gaps. You can achieve this by adding door sweeps to the bottom or upgrading seals on the sides and top of doors. The guide below provides instructions on how to complete each task.
1. Measure the width of your door.
2. Cut the door sweep to fit if necessary.
3. Position the sweep against the bottom of the door, ensuring it makes contact with the threshold.
4. Mark screw holes and pre-drill if needed.
5. Secure the sweep with screws, making sure it doesn’t interfere with door operation.
Depending on the type of window installed, different weatherstripping techniques are needed. Here is an overview of how to weatherstrip double-hung and sliding windows.
For double-hung windows, focus on sealing the areas where the sashes meet the frame and each other.
Sliding windows require a slightly different approach.
Older homes present specific challenges for weatherstripping due to their historic windows and doors. These older windows and doors often have irregular shapes, worn wood, and delicate components that make it difficult to use standard weatherstripping solutions. Additionally, it’s crucial to preserve the original appearance to maintain the home’s historic integrity. Here are some weatherstripping tips specific to older homes.
Weatherstripping needs can vary with the seasons, and taking a proactive approach can help maintain your home’s efficiency year-round.
Even with careful installation, you may encounter some issues with your weatherstripping over time. Here are some common problems and solutions:
If you notice persistent drafts after installation, take these steps:
If doors or windows become difficult to open or close after weatherstripping, do this:
Most homeowners can do basic weatherstripping on their own. However, professional installation may be worth the investment for complex situations or historic homes.
Professional weatherstripping offers several advantages, including expert material selection, efficient and precise application, and often a warranty on the work performed. Professionals bring specialized knowledge to ensure the right type of weatherstripping is used for each area of your home, maximizing energy efficiency.
This option typically comes with a higher upfront cost compared to DIY methods. Additionally, you may have less flexibility in scheduling the work and less hands-on involvement in the process, which some homeowners prefer.
Properly maintaining your weatherstripping can extend its lifespan and ensure it stays effective. Below are some tips on caring for your weatherstripping and recognizing when it’s time for a replacement.
Proper weatherstripping reduces your energy costs and makes your home more comfortable and eco-friendly. Keep in mind that weatherstripping requires ongoing maintenance. Regular inspections and timely replacements will ensure your home remains well-sealed against the elements for years to come.
Drafts and air leaks exist in about every home in America. The edges of windows and doors are the primary enablers for this air outside your home to get inside your home and vice versa. Drafts may not seem like a major issue, but over time they can really drive up your power bill as conditioned air escapes, and they can introduce lots of foreign pollutants from outside into your home. In short, it's something worth fixing, especially since it usually takes about five minutes and 20 dollars to do so.
So how do you actually accomplish this task? With the magic of weatherstripping. Weatherstripping is basically strips of materials that you adhere to doors and windows. These materials, if installed correctly, seal the edges of doors and windows when they're closed, preventing the movement of air any nasty stuff in the air.
Pro Tip: Weatherstripping is commonly associated with wintertime, but it's just as valuable in the summer as it is in the cold months.
The first step in identifying where your home needs weatherstripping is to test for air leaks in places that are most vulnerable. There are a handful of do-it-yourself options for this, or you can hire a professional to conduct an energy audit. A professional energy auditor will give you precise answers to where you need weatherstripping, in addition to other useful information.
If you wish to opt for the DIY versions, there are a couple ways to test for insufficient seals.
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This requires two people and it needs to be at night. So grab a friend, child, or spouse, promise to buy them a bottle of wine for their help (unless your children are helping—please do not buy wine for your children), and get to work.
The test, which works best for doors, is pretty simple. One person takes a flashlight outside once it's completely dark out. Close the door behind them and have them shine the light all around the door and surrounding areas. If you can see light coming through at any point, that's a point where you have an insufficient seal and should consider adding weatherstripping.
The moisture test only requires one person and can be done at any time of day, but it's helpful if it's done on a cold day. If you're looking to save money this summer, you may want to pick a different test.
The moisture test is also pretty simple. Wet your hand with some room temperature water and then feel your way around the edges of the door or window. The moisture will cause your hand to feel cold if it comes in contact with air from the outside (again, this only works on a cold day). If it feels cool, go ahead and add some weatherstripping.
This test is specific to doors and requires the use of a single dollar bill. Open your door and place a dollar bill in between the door jamb and the door itself, then close the door. Grab the bill and try to pull it out. If it slides out easily, time for some weatherstripping.
The final test you can try for a draft in your home is what we'll call the smoke test. This involves lighting a candle or match and holding it behind your door or window. Watch the smoke carefully for changes in how it moves. If incoming air effects the smoke stream, it's a good bet you're losing money and warm/cool air through a draft. Time to do some weatherstripping.
Who knew weatherstripping could be this complicated? It turns out there are a ton of different kinds of weatherstripping, some of which perform better in certain situations than others. We're going to simplify this down as much as possible.
There are several different varieties to pick from. We did some research for you, and hopefully, this can help you become a weatherstripping expert—or just learn what you need to make an informed decision.
V-Seal is probably the most common type of weatherstripping that is used within the home. Its name comes from the V shape that it takes when you fold it down the middle, which allows it to line the inside edges of window and door frames. It can come with adhesive backing for easy installation, or it can come without one and requires nailing in. If installed correctly, V-Seal can be among the most durable weatherstripping options.
Inexpensive and less durable, felt is sort of the "old news" of the weather stripping community. It's sold in rolls and can be installed stand-alone or with a metal strip for reinforcement. It's useful in doorways where it is affixed or nailed to the door jamb. That way, when the door closes, it compresses the material and blocks out air. It's important to note that felt does not work well in high moisture conditions. Felt is known as the cheapest and one of the easiest options.
The type of weatherstripping best designed to seal out air coming in from underneath the door is what is known as the door sweep. Drafts usually exist at the bottom of doors facing outdoors, which is why this type of weatherstripping exists. You'll often find two options: a metal or plastic strip that you screw into the bottom of the door and a brush, or piece of nylon that extends to the floor (the sweep). If installed correctly, this will cover the entire space beneath the door. Some versions actually slide onto the bottom of the door instead of being nailed into the bottom of the door.
Foam Tape is sort of like of felt except slightly more advanced. While the application is very similar, foam is of higher quality than felt. It usually comes with an adhesive backing for easy installation. Also like felt, it's one of the less durable options and should not be installed in high moisture areas.
This type of weatherstripping may have a variety of different names, but its construction is rubber with adhesive backing. Installation is similar to that of foam tape. Still, the rubber will last longer and is not as vulnerable in moist conditions. It can also provide waterproofing in addition to fighting off air leaks.
One place you might not expect to find an air leak is at your outlets and light switches, but surprisingly, these areas can be just as vulnerable to drafts as your doors and windows. Luckily, covers that seal up these places are cheap and take only a minute to install. It's as simple as removing the plastic covering from the outlet or switch, inserting the foam gasket behind it (make sure you punch out the holes first), and then reinstall the cover. That's it. That's literally it. You should be able to do your entire house for under $20.
Weatherstripping is one of the easiest and most useful do-it-yourself tasks for your home. It's relatively inexpensive, can take only a handful of minutes to install, and will leave you knowing you made your home healthier and more efficient with this quick and easy DIY project.