November 10, 2017
With the extra rain, snow, and cold drafts that come along with old man winter, weather stripping is an important home project to protect your home from damage, drafts, and insects. We recommend weather stripping doors and windows where the weather stripping is missing or damaged. This will increase the energy efficiency of your home by blocking cold drafts and insulating your home from the cold and rain.
There are many different types of weather stripping. The easiest to install is called VCO, which is available in a peel-and-stick roll. Other commonly used weather stripping types include wrapped foam wood flanges, wrapped foam metal flanges, silicone rubber tubing, and vinyl bulb metal flanges. Weather stripping is relatively inexpensive with a big pay off in energy savings and comfort.
Weather Stripping Benefits:
- Saves Energy
- Blocks Cold Drafts
- Minimize Outside Noise
- Shuts Out Dust and Insects
- Provides Cushioning to Silence Slamming
Winterize Your Home and Save Energy with Weather Stripping
Weather stripping essentially seals air leaks in your home that let cold air in and warm air out, forcing your HVAC system to work overtime. You will need to identify the air leaks in your home that come from doors, windows, and attic spaces. Air leaks can even be found around your plumbing, wiring, and HVAC connections. For instance, you can seal the air leaks around your duct connections.
A professional company can help you to identify air leaks in your home in order to complete a whole-home sealing project. Known as “winterizing” your home, weather stripping will actually save you money on your bills this winter and insulate you from the cold, dust, and even noise of the outdoors.
Missing or damaged weather stripping around your exterior facing doors can leak a lot of air and cause your HVAC system to become overworked. One of the best ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money this winter is by replacing and/or installing weather stripping around all of the doors and windows that face outside.
How to Add Weather Stripping to Doors
- Purchase the appropriate weather stripping. Common weather stripping types include wrapped foam wood flanges, wrapped foam metal flanges, silicone rubber tubing, and vinyl bulb metal flanges. Self-adhesive weather stripping is probably the easiest. Do not use felt weather stripping.
- Use door sweeps for the bottom of all exterior-facing doors and foam tape for the top and sides.
- Close the door and measure the width. You may need to cut the weather stripping with sharp scissors or a hacksaw.
- If you have old weather stripping, pry it off with a small pry bar or paint scraper blade. Try using petroleum jelly to remove old self-adhesive weather stripping. Make sure you remove all the old weather stripping and nails. For the most professional look, fill in the old nail holes and paint the door jamb before proceeding.
- Next, clean the surfaces and allow them to dry completely before moving on. If you choose the silicone rubber tubing weather stripping solution, clean the service area with toluene, xylene, or MEK.
- Cut the weather stripping to size and either press the self-adhesive foam weather stripping in place or nail the piece so the foam seal fits the length of the door. Remember, measure twice, cut once.
- If you choose a silicone rubber tubing weather stripping, apply your silicone caulk to the insider corner of each jam. Next, press the tubing into the caulk while it is still wet. Trim off any excess weather stripping with scissors.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- For door sweeps, measure the door and cut the sweep to size. Some are self-adhesive while others need to be nailed or screwed in. Make sure the bottom is touching the floor and creating a tight seal.
How to Add Weather Stripping to Windows
Don’t forget about all your windows! Here are the steps for weather stripping a double-hung window with self-adhesive weather stripping:
- Use a damp rag and dish soap to clean the window jamb and any surface where you plan to apply the weather stripping. Dry the surface and wait until completely dry to proceed. Petroleum jelly can help remove old adhesive.
- Measure the window using a measuring tape and cut the stripping to the needed length.
- You will need to cut pieces of weather stripping for all sides of the window, this includes each side of the inner and outer panel or “sash,” the bottom of the inner sash, the top of the outer sash, as well as the outer meeting rail.
- Peel back the paper backing and press the adhesive side firmly in place against the window jambs or the outside of the stops.
Save even more money and energy this winter with these winterization tips. If you have any questions, ask a Champion.
For all of your home service needs this winter and all year round, count on Service Champions, proudly serving the Northern California for over 40 years.
