Weather stripping is important year-round, but it's even more critical in hot weather. Now that summer is here, all your doors and windows should be tightly sealed to prevent heat from escaping into your home. In addition to overheating your house, gaps in windows and doors can lead to paying high energy bills. Here's what you need to know about weather stripping, along with what to consider when deciding on a product.
Put simply, weather stripping is the process of sealing openings or gaps around doors and windows that require a tight seal. Weather stripping can also get rid of a draft or air flow from an inside space to an outside space. That's why weather stripping is usually included on doors and window sashes for permitting better cooling or heating.
Weather stripping comes is several forms, including:
Sold in rolls, felt weather stripping is inexpensive. But It generally lasts for just one to two years. This form of weather stripping goes around window sashes or around doors as well as in door jambs. Installation is easy as it involves cutting it to a desired length using a utility knife. You can either nail or staple felt weather stripping.
The advantage of foam tape is that it works well for cracks with an irregular size. Foam tape is from EPDM rubber and has a sticky back. It comes in various thicknesses and widths, and installation is easy. Just cut the tape to a desired length and then stick it where needed.
This form of weather stripping does an exceptional job of blocking air. Although it can cost more, vinyl is incredibly moisture resistant, so it does well in areas prone to a lot of humidity and moisture. It's typically installed at the base or windows or doors, on the bottoms or tops of window sashes, and on the bottoms of doors. It can also be used as an air barrier between a door and the door's jamb.
Vinyl weather stripping is installed by peel and stick. Another installation method is by fastening it with screws, using slot holes.
Bronze, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and other metal weather stripping are not only affordable but can last for several years. What's more, metal can enhance the look of an older home in which vinyl looks out of place.
A disadvantage is that metal weather stripping can be harder to install. Because there is a wide range of metal stripping, with some of them being more complicated, it's best to have the installation done by a professional.
This is a vinyl plastic weather stripping. Because the tension seal has a "V" shape, it's also known as V strip. This form of weather stripping is an exceptionally strong metal or plastic strip that bridges gaps by springing open. It's used on sliding or double-hung windows as well as on the sides and tops of doors.
Installation is rather simple. Using scissors, cut the length you need. Next, you can peel and stick the product or use finishing nails.
Be sure the surface to which you're applying the weather stripping is dry and clean.
**Certain HOA and Condo communities may need to check with their ACC before they make any visible or material changes to the exteriors of their homes.**