Why Weather Stripping Is Even More Critical in Summer

 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.

What Is Weather Stripping?

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.

Types of Weather Stripping Products

Weather stripping comes is several forms, including:

Felt

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.

Foam Tape

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.

Vinyl

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.

Metal

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.

Tension Seal

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.  

What to Consider When Buying Weather Stripping

• Cost and durability—The cheapest types of weatherstripping are felt, sponge, and foam. On the other hand, they're less durable.
• Consider the location where the weather stripping is to be installed
• Besides the size of the gap, also consider the evenness of the gap.
• Another consideration is whether the product is easy to install. But even if you're not that handy, most homeowners can easily install weather stripping by watching DIY videos.
• Consider whether it's important if the weather stripping is visible. While some weather stripping is obvious, other types can be hidden.
• Consider weather exposure, besides wear resistance by friction or abrasion.
• Consider that weather stripping comes in various lengths and depths.
• When determining the amount of weather stripping needed, calculate the perimeters of all your doors and windows. Next, add five to ten percent to accommodate any waste.

Other Considerations and Warnings

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.**

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