7 tips on Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping in preparation for the winter will save you $$ in the cold season. Knowing how to conserve energy can help lower your energy bills and balance your household budget. Weatherstripping is applied at joints where two surfaces meet and move relative to each other, such as windows and doors. Properly installed weatherstripping provides an air-tight seal around doors and windows. Tests show that tubular weatherstripping provides the best seal. However, if doors and windows will be used by children, handicapped or elderly, use silicone, neoprene, urethane or rubber strips-they require less pressure when closing doors and windows.

1. Hold a feather or a burning incense stick in front of a window. You’ll have most decisive results if you do this check on a cool, windy fall day, or a very cold winter day. Have all exhaust fans, the furnace and clothes dryer running while you perform this check. If the feather or smoke moves away from the window, you have a leak and should weatherize. Use caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows to seal cracks and leaks. See your local PRO Hardware for weatherstripping materials and easy how-to tips. Select the appropriate material for your project following the guidelines below.
2. Use quality weather-stripping. Poor quality materials won’t last long at heavy traffic doors.
3. Self Stick Foam only requires a knife or shears and a tape measure. It is extremely easy to install and invisible when installed, but not very durable. To install, stick foam to inside face of jamb.
4. Rolled Vinyl with Aluminum channel backing requires a hammer, nails, metal snips and a tape measure. It is easy to install, visible when installed, and durable.
5. Foam Rubber with Wood Backing requires a hammer, nails, hand saw, and tape measure. It is easy to install, visible when installed, but not very durable. Installation is simple-you nail the Weather strip snugly against the closed door, spacing nails 8 to 12 inches apart.
6. Spring Metal requires sheet metal snips, hammer, nails, and a tape measure. It is not difficult to install. It is invisible when installed and extremely durable. To install, simply cut to length and tack in place. Then lift outer edge of strip with screwdriver after tacking for a tighter seal. Note: This is harder than the preceeding choices, as door frame tolerances vary.
7. Interlocking metal channels require a hack saw, hammer, nails and tape measure. It is difficult to install because alignment is critical. Visible when installed, metal channels are durable but subject to damage because they’re exposed. They do offer an excellent seal. You cut and fit Weather strip to head of door first: male strip on door, female on head; then hinge side of door: male strip on jamb, female on door; finally lock side on door, female on jamb.