Weather Stripping Doors & Windows

When it comes to a home’s energy loss caused by air leaks through windows, doors, and walls (called “infiltration”), old windows and leaky doors are serious offenders. If you can hear windows rattle on a windy day, feel drafts blowing, or see light between the moving parts of a window or exterior door, you can bet that expensively-heated or cooled air is departing your home. In exchange, you’re getting uncomfortable drafts in the winter and unwanted heat gain in the summer.

Even new windows and doors with integral (built-in) weather stripping may require improvement. Low-grade materials, poorly installed windows or doors, or damaged weather stripping may seal poorly. Again, the result is energy loss and drafts.

It pays to check all windows and doors for air leaks. Even if you can’t see or feel the movement of air, infiltration may be occurring.

Weather Stripping Materials
Weather stripping is made from several different types of pliable materials. The right one to choose will depend on the particular window or door and the situation. The two main forms of weather stripping are nail-on strips and adhesive-backed self-stick tapes.

Self-Stick Weather Stripping
Several types of self-stick pliable-gasket weather stripping are made from non-rigid, springy materials such as foam, vinyl, felt, or sponge rubber. They have an adhesive backing for easy installation.

Different types of self-stick, pliable-gasket, door and window weather stripping.
Door & Window Weatherstripping
Self-stick weatherstripping is best where nailing isn’t possible, such as on metal or vinyl windows. It also does a good job sealing windows that are too irregular or warped for rigid weatherstripping. And it’s favored for parts of doors or windows that press together rather than sliding against one another (sliding action can quickly dislodge the self-stick backing). It works well on hinged doors and windows, though nail-on weatherstripping (below) works for these, too.

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