A Complete Guide To Weatherstripping

Enjoying a movie night while laying on your couch comfortably seems like a perfect night plan, right? However, your windows and doors might have other plans, including ruining your movie night. They may not stop the icy winds outside because of their lousy sealing. And this might also get in between you and your night plans of enjoying movies or web series.

However, worry not; you don't have to live with those malfunctioning windows till eternity; you can simply use weatherstrippings. These weatherstrippings seal these windows, doors, and many other components in your buildings that don't provide better sealing.

What is Weatherstripping?

Weatherstrippings are strips of different materials such as foam, plastic, metal, and rubber, which are used to seal those small gaps in between doors, windows, and any small gaps that should be filled.

By doing so, you can effectively block humidity and icy winds outside while you can be comfortable in your home. So, why waste money on new components when you make your old doors and windows better with a minor upgrade?

How Does Weather Stripping Work?

Weatherstrips are of different types, starting from the interlocking metal ones to the highly flexible foam ones. These weather strippings need to be installed between the gaps of ill-suited windows and doors while ensuring they don't get loose during installation.

When these strips are applied to the gaps of windows, doors, or any unsealed component, they provide a tight-fitting and seal your home. During winters, the weather stripping can prevent heated air escaping and cold air from entering your home whereas during summers, weatherstripping keeps the air-conditioned air inside and keeps hot air outside.

You can keep away bugs, pests, moisture, and even hefty electricity bills. Also, they are used on windows of vehicles as they provide noise and moisture-free journeys. 

Benefits and Importance of Weather Stripping

Fixing weather stripping on the sides of doors and windows is economically better. There are a lot of benefits, and some of them are given below.

1. Blocks Moisture

The foremost reason many people go for these weatherstrippings is that they effectively block water and moisture. Hence, if you have wooden furniture and electronic appliances at your home, weatherstrippings can undoubtedly increase their lifespan.

2. Reduces Electricity Bills

Studies have shown that people with weather strippings installed on their doors and windows have lower electricity bills than those who haven't installed them. Thanks to its ability to not let air escape from inside and not let air from outside enter the house. Thus, your heater or cooler will have a limited space to cool.

3. It keeps The Pests Out

As these weather strippings make sure your house is sealed, there are no way pests and bugs can enter your home. These pests can be a serious problem for someone living in a forest area.

4. Lowers Outdoor Noise

If you are living in a place with noisy neighbors or a lot of noise pollution, you should install weather stripping. It will not only keep the moisture and pests out, but also limit loud noises so you can work peacefully and sleep soundly.

Types of Weather Stripping

1. V-strips

V-strips, also called tension strips or V-seals, are made of plastic or thin, flexible lengths of metal, and these seals usually self-stick, and the metal V-strips are nailed into place. These strips are folded into a 'V' shape that springs open to bridge gaps.

These strips create a protective door seal that blocks air drafts when installed on doors and windows. V-strips are highly recommended for double-hung or sliding windows, top and sides of your doors, and other flat, smooth surfaces.

V-weatherstripping can also increase resistance in the opening and closing windows and doors. The pricing is pretty decent and might vary based on how much material is used.

2. Metal Weatherstripping

Do you want your weatherstripping to last for decades? Then opt for metal weatherstripping, including metals like Zinc, Aluminum, and Steel. 

This type remains the best choice among others because metal weatherstripping can stand in place and take the most intense of climates like strong winds and harsh freezing temperatures. Also, when installed on wooden doors, these doors slide smoother.

3. Plain or Reinforced Felt Weatherstripping

The plain or reinforced felt weatherstripping is a go-to option for doors and windows jambs.

It is made of cotton, polyester, or wool and has a metal strip for reinforcement. It is easy to maintain and lasts at least for one or two years. Not only this, it is quite easy to install and the felt-gaskets can be installed using glue, staples, and tacks, thus saving you from installation costs.

4. Foam tape from EPDM Rubber or closed-cell foam

You might have heard about EPDM Rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer) which is durable and flexible and is used for a wide range of applications. Well, it is not limited to weatherstripping as well. 

Though this long-lasting material is mainly preferred for roofs. It can also be used for doors and window weatherstripping. The foam tape made from this rubber acts as a good seal. So this remains a popular choice.

5. Door sweeps

Another type of weatherstripping widely used for the door is door sweeps. The door sweep is flat strips made of aluminum, plastic, or stainless steel fitted with a strip of nylon or plastic to fill the space between the door bottom and threshold. 

This weatherstripping type is also easy to install. You just need a pencil, scissors and measuring tape. Once you have taken the right measurements, you can cut the strip in the required size and attach it to the bottom and sides of the door.

6. Kerf-In Weatherstrippinig

Have you heard this word before? If not, no worries, we will explain it. The kerf style refers to the door jamb with a thin saw cut called kerf that accepts the weatherstripping fin. 

So how this weatherstripping work is, the fin wedges into the kerf and holds the weatherstrip seal in place by friction and thus tightly seals the door. 

7. Tubular rubber and vinyl weather stripping

Lastly, we have a weatherstripping type of combos like tubular rubber and vinyl. The rubber and vinyl gaskets come with a wood or metal strip.

This type is usually applied around doors, is among the most difficult to install, and is pricey. 

Despite these cons, thus tubular rubber and vinyl gasketing are long-lasting, with a lifespan of 5 years. This provides an incredible air barrier, safeguards you from air leaks, and lowers electricity bills. 

How to Install Weatherstripping for Doors?

Tools and Materials Required

Steps to Install Weatherstripping on Door

Step 1: Prepare the area around the door and take measurements

If the door and jamb are dirty with debris, first clean them. Use a soapy mixture and scrub off the dirt. If it is dirt is hard and dried, consider using fine-grit sandpaper.

Once the cleaning process is done, now measure the doorway to install new weatherstripping. Mostly, you will add the new weatherstripping along both sides of the door, across the top and bottom. So carefully measure those areas.

Step 2: Tighten the door's hinges

This has to be done to ensure the door is tightly fitted and hung correctly so that the newly installed weatherstripping fit into the gaps evenly.

So before you start cutting the weatherstripping based on the measurements taken, check if the door hinges are tight. To check this, lift the door upward using the doorknob. If the door moves upward, it indicates the hinges have to be tightened.

Step 3: Measure the jamb

Check two things before you measure the jamb; one is to check how wide the gap between the door and the jamb is so that you have an idea of how thick the weatherstripping must be used, and then check how wide is the jamb. So based on the answers, plan to buy enough weatherstripping to install it across the width and height of the door.

Step 4: Choose the correct weatherstripping

There are a variety of weather stripping materials like felt, foam, rubber, and each one has its benefit over the other. For instance, felt weatherstripping is a cheap option available. However, it is not very durable. While foam weatherstripping can be considered better than felt, it can never beat rubber durability. If you think rubber is the best option, you got it right. However, it is difficult to install. 

Step 5: Cut the weatherstripping into segments and adjust the cut

You must cut the weatherstripping into different segments for the top, bottom, and two sides of the door. Before installing it, hold each piece onto the door frame and confirm if the lengths are accurate. You can trim the excess material after the stripping is in place.

If the strips are short, then check and cut a new piece. Otherwise, it will be a waste of effort and money.

Step 6: Stick the weatherstripping of the door properly

If you are installing weatherstripping with an adhesive back, peel it and press the strip into place around the edge of the door jamb, not on the door.

Even if it is an adhesive material, consider stapling it or screwing it. This will keep the weatherstripping in place.

Step 7: Install a door sweep

Install a sweep along the bottom of the door so when the door opens, the rubber flexes will be an impediment, providing a strong air seal.

Benefits of Door Weatherstripping

How to install Weather Stripping on the Window?

Two common types of windows widely used are single-hung and double-hung windows.

Before getting to the installation steps, let's decide which type of material would be appropriate for windows. 

Though there are multiple weatherstripping materials available in the market, the highly recommended one for windows is V-strips.

Ensure that the channels are clean and free of dirt and debris. If you have any existing weatherstripping in the windows, remove it and clean the area completely with soap and water.

If in case you are unsure how to remove the old weatherstripping, check out this section of the article.

Now let's get started with the installation guidelines that is applicable for any type of window.

1. Double-hung Windows

2. Casement Windows

The recommended weatherstripping material for casement windows is foam type. Ensure the areas are clean before the installation process. If they don't, clean it.

When the cleaning part is done, take the measurements, cut the material to length, and place it along the window's sides, top, and bottom. Once the installation part is done, close the window and check if the weatherstripping works correctly.

3. Awning Windows

Awning windows are windows that open out with a hinge at the frame's top. The same technique used for casement windows can be applied here. The advantage here is attaching V-strips to the top and bottom frames.

4. Sliding Windows

Sliding windows can be compared to double-hung windows as they are movable on their side. You can also install V-strips in the channels in which the windows travel.

How to install Weather Stripping on the Garage Door?

Garage doors are usually large and open manually or by an electric motor. Their significant work protects the vehicles and other components stored in the garage.

But did you just notice dirt, water, or pests dropping inside your garage? Then it indicates that your garage door doesn't have weatherstripping or the existing one needs renewal.

You might also get this question, "Is garage door weather stripping necessary?"

The answer is a big yes. This is because only when you have a working garage door and weather seal installed properly your garage is protected against the water that may get inside, turn into ice, and damage the components stored inside the garage.
Also, weatherstripping stops the bugs from entering the garage.

Adding to this, the cold air entering the garage is worse, and these strips can also prevent air leaks. Overall, we can't stress enough how important it is that weatherstripping is.

1. Garage Door Panel Weatherstripping

V-shaped garage door panel weatherstripping is specifically designed to seal the gaps between the individual door panels. You can find the door panel weatherstripping in self-adhesive rolls. You can stick the rolls on the top or bottom edge of each door panel. The panels compress the weatherstripping to create an effective seal when you close the door.

This is helpful on older wood doors with panels that have flat edges.

In the case of newer metal and fiberglass doors, these have interlocking edges that act as a barrier for air intrusion.

2. Garage Door Stop Weatherstripping

Wind and rain can not only enter the garage door from the bottom but also the top and sides. In most cases, garage doors have rubber or vinyl weatherstripping installed on the door and keep it safe and secure.

But if the garage door lacks it or if the old weatherstripping no longer seals against the door, then renew it. The garage door weatherstripping comes in rolls that can be cut into the required length. The weatherstripping door-side flange must be pressed against the door to create a good seal.

How to Remove Weather Stripping?

Did the existing weatherstripping looks warped, cracked, or deteriorated? Then it's a clear sign that it needs replacement. Luckily, replacing the weather stripping is easy peasy, and you don't require any DIY experience.

Before replacing the weather stripping, you must peel off the existing one and prepare the door or window frame to install a new one.

So this section discusses the different steps to replace weather stripping. Continue reading to learn about it.

Steps to Remove Weatherstripping

Step 1: Remove the screws holding the weather stripping in place

If it's metal weatherstripping, then it might be supported with nails. So the first identify the nails. Check along the center of each weatherstrip for screws and use a screwdriver or screw gun to remove them.

Once the screws are removed, the weatherstripping will loosen and can be easily peeled off by stripping by hand.

If it's not metal weather stripping, then it can be just peeled off by hand.

Step 2: Peel adhesive weather stripping off the frame

Most weather strips are easy to remove. You can grab one end of the weather stripping and pull it off, and the adhesive material will come up instantly if it doesn't try using putty or sharp knife, pliers, or any other tool to lift it by force.

Step 3: Clean the door frame with soap and water to clear away debris

Once the peeling off work is done, the place must be cleaned. So mix an equal amount of warm water with gentle dish soap and use the mixture to scrub the frame with a soft cloth or sponge.

Especially if adhesive weatherstripping is removed, then ensure the glue or caulk is also removed. If it is hard to scrap the glue(as it is dried), get help from a putty knife and remove it. You can also use fine-grit sandpaper to scrape off the glue completely.

Step 4: Fill in any nail holes using a wood filler

This is an essential process, as the pores will be closed until the new weatherstripping is placed. Just use a dime-sized filler for each hole and pick it up the edge of a flexible putty knife and scrape it across the hole and leave it to dry for at least 6 hours. Ensure the holes appear hidden and consistent with the surrounding wood before letting the filler dry for upto 6 hours.

Step 5: Repaint the frame

This step is essential to make the frame look fresh and neat. Before you start painting, cover the nearby surfaces with plastic sheeting and tape as needed to paint only the necessary place.

So coat the frame with a quality acrylic latex paint and a 3 in paintbrush. Finish the interior part of the frame and go over the exterior portions of the other sides of the door.

NOTE:

FAQ

1. How much does it cost to install weather stripping?

The average cost to weatherstrip a door ranges from $35 and $90 and in the case of a window, the price range is $5 to $10. So the overall average cost for weather-stripping is $274. The high-end cost is $800 and the low-end cost is $55. Based on your budget you can opt for one.

2. How do I know if I need new weather stripping?

Inspect your existing weather stripping on your window and doors for any damage. If it looks warped, cracked, or deteriorated, then it indicates renewing. Even if you notice a draft around the edge of your door or window or if you can see light through these places, then it is time to replace the existing weather stripping.

3. Does weather stripping block sound?

Weatherstripping doesn't completely block sound but helps reduce noise. So the weather stripping reduces noise by controlling and securing indoor airflow and also keeps pests at bay.

4. How thick should weather stripping be?

The weatherstripping must be thick enough to ensure that air leaks are completely sealed and don't affect the indoors. So choose a foam with the same width as the thickness of the doorstop, like 1/2 inch and thick enough to close the gap between the door and stop.

Conclusion

That's a wrap now. Did you find this article interesting? We believe you did. This detailed article not just covers weatherstripping types for doors and windows but also how to install them. 

By following the step-by-step guide, you can easily install the weatherstripping all by yourself and cut installation costs. So keep yourself calm and composed save energy bills by installing weatherstripping in your home.