Keep
Out the Cold with Weather Stripping
There is a definite nip in the air. It won’t be long before winter winds are whipping at our door. Any drafts around doors and windows that you are noticing now will be downright uncomfortable—and adding to your energy bills before long.
Weather stripping offers s a relatively quick fix for drafty doors. To determine if a door leading out of your house needs new weather stripping look for daylight. If even a sliver of daylight remains visible between the door and its frame or the floor, add weather stripping.
Next, shut
the door or window on a piece of paper. If you can
pull the paper out without tearing it, you're losing energy.
There are a variety of weather stripping materials available, each good
for fitting different types of door and window frames. Most are made of rubber,
foam, metal, vinyl, or a combination of materials. To determine the right item
for the job, check the area: if any old, worn material has been previously
installed, take a sample to your local hardware store or expert like a
contractor. If no material exists as a guide, make detailed notes about the type
of gap and how the door or window is installed—someone at the hardware store
or your expert should be able to make a recommendation for you.
Once
you have the proper materials for the job, consult any instructions that may be
on the weather stripping package. Installation techniques range from simple to
technical, depending on the type of material being used. If replacing old, worn
weather stripping, be sure to note how it was installed as you remove it.
Here are a few basic guidelines:
·
Weather stripping
should be applied to clean, dry surfaces in temperatures above 20°F.
·
Measure the area
to be weather stripped twice before you cut anything.
·
Apply weather
stripping snugly against both surfaces. The material should compress when the
window or door is shut.
When weather stripping doors:
·
Choose the
appropriate door sweeps and thresholds.
·
Weather strip the
entire door jamb.
·
Apply one
continuous strip along each side.
·
Make sure the
weather stripping meets tightly at the corners.
·
Use a thickness
that causes the weather stripping to tightly press between the door and the door
jamb, without making it difficult to shut.
When weather stripping windows:
·
Apply weather
stripping between the sash and frame.
·
The weather
stripping shouldn't interfere with the operation of the window.
For
more information on energy efficiency measures to make your home more
comfortable and efficient visit www.svalleyec.com.