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weatherstripping - The Worlds of David Darling

Jun. 16, 2025

weatherstripping - The Worlds of David Darling

Weatherstripping is a material used to seal gaps around windows and exterior doors. Floors, walls, ceilings, and doors and windows all combine to make up the "energy envelope" of your home. Caulking seals the small cracks and holes in the envelope; weatherstripping seals around doors and windows to help make your home airtight.

I-ECO contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

Weatherstripping and caulking are probably the least expensive, simplest, most effective ways to cut down on wasted energy in the winter and summer. Improperly sealed homes can squander 10 to 15 percent of the homeowner's heating dollars and reduce the effectiveness of air-conditioning in the summer.

While some new doors now come with factory-applied weatherstripping, such designs are a recent innovation. Millions of doors across the country have little or no weatherstripping. Since most doors have a space – sometimes as much as a quarter inch or more – between the bottom of the door and the floor, large amounts of air can flow in and out of the house. For a typical 36-inch entry door, a quarter-inch small crack can leak as much air as a nine-square-inch hole in the wall.

Weatherstripping comes in many forms, and can be made up of a combination of materials such as wood, rubber, vinyl, metal and foam. Some types work well on both doors and windows, while others are more limited.


V-strip

A long strip folded back on itself along its length, this type of weatherstripping can be made of either metal or vinyl. It forms a springy strip that bridges the gap between a door and the door jam – or a window sash and the window frame – to prevent the movement of air. Durable, long-lasting and easy to install, V-strips come with a pressure sensitive adhesive; once you have cut a strip to the proper length, you can stick it in place on the frame without the use of tools.


Adhesive-backed foam or tape

This material, made from rubber, foam or sponge rubber, can be installed in the same manner as V-strip to help seal doors and windows. Hardware stores sell it in various widths and thicknesses, and the tape is self-adhesive and easy to install. Simply cut the tape to the length you need with scissors, peel away the backing from the tape and stick it in place. The size and flexibility of tape make it well suited for blocking irregular-sized cracks. It wears out quickly, however, and needs to be replaced often – probably every one to two years.


Felt

Felt, either plain or reinforced with a flexible metal strip, is sold in rolls that must be cut to length and stapled or tacked into place. Plain felt should be fitted in a door jamb so that the door presses against it; reinforced felt can be used to seal around both doors and windows. Felt traditionally lasts one to two years before it needs to be replaced. A variation on felt is pile, a carpet-like material that can be glued or tacked in place. It comes in narrow, furry strips.


Interlocking metal

This is the best, most complex, most expensive weatherstripping. Think of two V-strips that are placed on the door and the door frame. When the door closes, the two pieces interlock to make a tight seal. Interlocking pieces are placed completely around the perimeter of the door – on the top, both sides and the bottom. Installing interlocking weatherstripping can be tricky, since both the door and the frame must be notched with a router. That's why this type of installation is usually done by professionals.


Tubular rubber and vinyl gaskets

Small tubes of sponge rubber or vinyl can also be used to weatherstrip around doors and windows. When the door presses against the gasket, it forms a tight seal. By pressing against these gaskets, the door forms a seal. The tubes come with a flange that can be tacked or stapled to hold them in place. Usually they last five years or more.


Thresholds

The floor underneath a closed exterior door usually has a raised seal called a threshold. Many thresholds have weatherstripping built in. One style includes a tubular gasket seal built into the threshold that presses against the bottom of the door to keep out drafts. Other threshold weatherstripping is mounted on the door itself. One style called a door sweep features a flexible flap that seals against the threshold.


Wall sockets / outlets / switches

There's a final place in your home we need to mention when it comes to weatherstripping – electric wall sockets and switches. Although they aren't in the same category as doors and windows, the holes in our walls for electrical outlets and switches do allow cold air into a house in the wintertime and leak cool, air-conditioning air in the summer. It's a good idea to purchase simple-to-install, pre-cut foam gaskets that fit behind the switch or plug plate to effectively reduce leaks.

Weatherstripping types and uses Weatherstripping Best uses Cost Advantages Disadvantages Tension seal:
Self-stick plastic (vinyl) folded along length in a V-shape or a springy bronze strip (also copper, aluminum, and stainless steel) shaped to bridge a gap. The shape of the material creates a seal by pressing against the sides of a crack to block drafts. Inside the track of a double-hung or sliding window, top and sides of door. Moderate; varies with material used. Durable. Invisible when in place. Very effective. Vinyl is fairly easy to install. Look of bronze works well for older homes. Surfaces must be flat and smooth for vinyl. Can be difficult to install, as corners must be snug. Bronze must be nailed in place (every three inches or so) so as not to bend or wrinkle. Can increase resistance in opening/closing doors or windows. Self-adhesive vinyl available. Some manufacturers include extra strip for door striker plate. Felt:
Plain or reinforced with a flexible metal strip; sold in rolls. Must be stapled, glued, or tacked into place. Seals best if staples are parallel to length of the strip. Around a door or window (reinforced felt); fitted into a door jamb so the door presses against it. Low Easy to install, inexpensive. Low durability; least effective preventing airflow. Do not use where exposed to moisture or where there is friction or abrasion. All-wool felt is more durable and more expensive. Very visible. Reinforced foam:
Closed-cell foam attached to wood or metal strips. Door or window stops; bottom or top of window sash; bottom of door. Moderately low Closed-cell foam an effective sealer; scored well in wind tests. Rigid. Can be difficult to install; must be sawed, nailed, and painted. Very visible. Manufacturing process produces greenhouse gas emissions. Tape:
Nonporous, closed-cell foam, open-cell foam, or EDPM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber. Top and bottom of window sash; door frames; attic hatches and inoperable windows. Good for blocking corners and irregular cracks. Low. Extremely easy to install. Works well when compressed. Inexpensive. Can be reinforced with staples. Durability varies with material used, but not especially high for all; use where little wear is expected; visible. Rolled or reinforced vinyl:
Pliable or rigid strip gasket (attached to wood or metal strips.) Door or window stops; top or bottom of window sash; bottom of a door (rigid strip only). Low to moderate. Easy installation. Low to moderate cost. Self-adhesive on pliable vinyl may not adhere to metal; some types of rigid strip gaskets provide slot holes to adjust height, increasing durability. Comes in varying colors to help with visibility. Visible. Door sweep:
Aluminum or stainless steel with brush of plastic, vinyl, sponge, or felt. Bottom of interior side of in-swinging door; bottom of exterior side of exterior-swinging door. Moderate to high. Relatively easy to install; many types are adjustable for uneven threshold. Automatically retracting seeps also available, which reduce drag on carpet and increase durability. Visible. Can drag on carpet. Automatic sweeps are more expensive and can require a small pause once door is unlatched before retracting. Magnetic:
Works similarly to refrigerator gaskets. Top and sides of doors, double-hung and sliding window channels. High Very effective air sealer. Tubular rubber and vinyl:
Vinyl or sponge rubber tubes with a flange along length to staple or tack into place. Door or window presses against them to form a seal. Around a door. Moderate to high. Effective air barrier. Self-stick versions challenging to install. Reinforced silicone:
Tubular gasket attached to a metal strip that resembles reinforced tubular vinyl On a doorjamb or a window stop. Moderate to high. Seals well. Installation can be tricky. Hacksaw required to cut metal; butting corners pose a challenge. Door shoe:
Aluminum face attachment with vinyl C-shaped insert to protect under the door. To seal space beneath door. Moderate to high. On the exterior, product sheds rain. Durable. Can be used with uneven opening. Some door shoes have replaceable vinyl inserts. Fairly expensive; installation moderately difficult. Door bottom planning possibly required. Bulb threshold:
Vinyl and aluminum Door thresholds Moderate to high. Combination threshold and weatherstrip; available in different heights. Wears from foot traffic; relatively expensive. "Frost-brake" threshold:
Aluminum or other metal on exterior, wood on interior, with door-bottom seam and vinyl threshold replacement. To seal beneath a door. Moderate to high. The use of different materials means less cold transfer. Effective. Moderately difficult to install, involves threshold replacement. Fin seal:
Pile weatherstrip with plastic Mylar fin centered in pile. For aluminum sliding windows and sliding glass doors. Moderate to high. Very durable. Can be difficult to install. Interlocking metal channels:
Enables sash to engage one another when closed Around door perimeters. High. Exceptional weather seal. Very difficult to install as alignment is critical. To be installed by a professional only.

Application

Weatherstripping supplies and techniques range from simple to the technical. Consult the instructions on the weatherstripping package. Here are a few basic guidelines:

  • Weatherstripping should be applied to clean, dry surfaces in temperatures above 20°F (-7°C).
  • Measure the area to be weatherstripped twice before you cut anything.
  • Apply weatherstripping snugly against both surfaces. The material should compress when the window or door is shut.
  • When weatherstripping doors:

  • Choose the appropriate door sweeps and thresholds for the bottom of the doors.
  • Weatherstrip the entire door jamb.
  • Apply one continuous strip along each side.
  • Make sure the weatherstripping meets tightly at the corners.
  • Use a thickness that causes the weatherstripping to tightly press between the door and the door jamb when the door closes, without making it difficult to shut.
  • For air sealing windows, apply weatherstripping between the sash and the frame. The weatherstripping shouldn't interfere with the operation of the window.

    Weatherstripping: Different Types as well as Pros and Cons - Kukun

    Weatherstripping is an effective way of sealing all the openings of your house, including windows and doors. The purpose of weatherstripping is to prevent the harsh elements of nature such as rain, water, and wind from entering your abode — while keeping the interior air trapped in.

    Prepping up your home for winter? One of the first things you need to focus on is weatherstripping your house. You can use the effective method to seal all the air leaks around the movable components of your house, such as doors or operable windows.

    FYI: Caulk will be the ideal material for filling cracks and gaps in the stationary building components of your house.

    Planning a home remodeling? Use our free home renovation estimator to have a fair idea of the total expenditure of your project. 

    Weatherstripping windows and doors will make your home feel warmer — with no gaps to allow the cold outside air in. It will also trap the inside warm air for the most perfect and cozy winter.

    Did you know, sealing gaps with weatherstripping can save you 10 to 15 percent on your energy bills? Yes, it does. No wonder, you need to take your weatherstripping seriously!

    Whether you want to use weatherstripping for a DIY project or hire a professional for the home improvement, you must be aware of the most common weatherstripping choices you have in terms of material and profile.

    But with so many different types of weatherstripping at your local hardware store, choosing the right one for a specific purpose can be a tad difficult. Don’t worry, we’ve simplified the process for you. 

    In this article, we have curated a list of the most popular types of weatherstripping so that you’ll know which one to install in order to chase the chill away. 

    Popular types of weatherstripping 

    Here’s a list of the common types of weatherstripping to make things easy for you. We’ll also zero in on the pricing as well as the pros and cons of each type later in the article. 

    • V Strip aka tension seal (vinyl, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel)

    V strip is a durable plastic or metal strip. As the name suggests, it folds into a ‘V’ shape. Interestingly, it springs open when it’s bridging the gaps. It’s perfect for sealing the sides of a double-hung window as well as a sliding window, or on the tops and sides of the door. It creates a snug seal by pressing against the sides of a crack to block drafts.

    This DIY weatherstripping is pretty easy to use. Just cut out the desired length with a pair of scissors, peel, and stick. Install with finishing nails. And there it is, all ready!

    If you want to learn more, please visit our website Weatherstripping Manufacturers.

    If instead of weatherstripping your windows you are thinking of replacing them, try our free estimator tool to see how much your window replacement cost would be!

    • Felt

    Felt weatherstripping comes in rolls, either as plain or reinforced with a pliable metal strip. Keep in mind that it usually lasts only a year or two. And that’s why it’s typically inexpensive. DO NOT use it in areas that are exposed to moisture or where there is friction or abrasion.

    It goes well around a door or window sash. Also, in the door jamb — allowing it to compress against the door.

    Its installation is also pretty easy. All you need is to cut the roll into the desired length with a utility knife and staple or nail it in place. Simple, isn’t it?

    • Foam tape 

    Foam tape is made from an open or closed-cell foam or a sticky EPDM rubber. This type of weatherstripping is ideal for irregular-sized cracks as it’s available in varying widths and thicknesses. It’s best installed in the tops and sides bottom areas of window sashes and inside door frames.

    The tape is as easy as it gets when it comes to installation. Cut out the desired length and stick! 

    • Reinforced foam/vinyl/silicone

    When it comes to closed-cell foam, you also have the option of choosing reinforced foam or vinyl or silicone. All of them are effective sealers. However, keep in mind that the installation is a bit more difficult. It has to be sawed, nailed, and painted. And, it’s quite visible. 

    FYI: Reinforced foam scores well in the wind tests. Rolled or reinforced vinyl is a pliable or rigid strip gasket that’s attached to wood or metal strips. It best suits your door or window stops. You can also use it on the top or bottom of a window sash or the bottom of the door.

    A reinforced silicone is attached to a metal strip and is ideal for door jambs or a window stop.  

    • Magnetic

    Magnetic weatherstripping works similarly to your refrigerator gaskets. It’s an effective air sealer that’s best suited for the tops and sides of the door. You can use it even on double-hung and sliding window channels.

    Keep in mind that the cost is a bit on the higher side. 

    • Door sweeps

    For the sake of first-time homeowners, let’s revisit door sweeps. These are flat pieces (of plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel) that are fitted with a strip of nylon, plastic, or vinyl, or a sponge brush. Typically, they fill the space between the door and threshold. And, usually, go along the bottom of the door.

    Just cut out the width you require to match your door size and install the sweep with screws. 

    • Tubular rubber, vinyl, or silicone

    This type of weatherstripping is an effective air barrier. The narrow sponge rubber or vinyl tubing typically come attached to a wood or metal mounting strip while the silicone ones are usually inserted into milled grooves.

    The ideal place to install them is at the base of windows and doors, top or bottom of a window sash, and between a door and its jamb.

    The installation depends upon the type it is. Silicone seals are pressed into a channel you create with a router. For the other two, you can either peel and stick or fasten with screws through slot holes. 

    • Fin seal

    This type of pile weatherstrip comes with a plastic Mylar fin in the center.  It’s an ideal choice for aluminum sliding windows and sliding glass doors. More importantly, it’s very durable if you know how to install it properly. Do know that its installation can be a tad tricky. 

    • Interlocking metal channels

    These interlocking channels enable the sash to engage one another when closed. They are ideal for the area around your door perimeters. 

    Needless to say, the alignment part is very critical. Improper installation will not do justice to this exceptional weather seal. It’s best if you hire a professional for the job. 

    And, it’s no surprise that the cost of this premium product is high. 

    Are you looking for a guide on remodeling? Try our full ultimate guide on home remodel.

    Pros and cons of the different types of weatherstripping

    Check out the table below for some easy takeaways: 

    Choosing the right weatherstripping 

    You need to know all the facets of the weatherstripping you choose for your home. Before applying it, you will need to do some homework too. Here’s how to take the first step towards selecting the right type of weatherstripping and applying it for a seamless job:

    • Detect all the air leaks in your home. It’s easier to seal them if you know their exact location.
    • Apply the weatherstripping to a clean, dry surface.
    • Measure the location twice before cutting your strip or tape.
    • Assess your ventilation needs in order to ensure adequate indoor air quality.
    • Choose a type of weatherstripping that will withstand extreme weather, any friction, temperature changes, and wear and tear. For example, if you’re applying it to bottom of the door or a threshold, make sure it doesn’t drag on the carpet or erodes easily due to heavy foot traffic. If you’re using weatherstripping in a window sash, ensure that it accommodates the sliding of panes (up and down, sideways, or outwards).
    • Apply the strip snugly. 
    • Ensure that your weatherstripping seals well when the door or window closes completely. It should allow them to open freely.
    • When it comes to your exterior doors, remember to weatherstrip the entire door jamb, use one continuous strip along each side, and ensure that the strips meet tightly at the corners.
    • Choose weatherstripping that is perfect for that specific location. For instance, the inexpensive felt and open-cell foams tend to be inexpensive and easy to apply. However, they are susceptible to weather and inefficient at blocking airflow. You can use these in low-traffic areas. For high-traffic areas, vinyl (slightly more expensive), is more suitable as it holds up well and resists moisture.
    • Take durability into account when comparing weatherstripping costs. Go for metal weatherstripping (bronze, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum) if you want it to last really long. The options are affordable too. FYI: Bronze looks really good on older homes.
    • Opt for more than one type of weatherstripping if you want to seal irregularly shaped space.
    • Always look for the registered trademark on the weatherstripping and go for quality ones. 

    Last words

    We hope this all-encompassing guide on weatherstripping will help you in choosing the right one for your home. It’s essential that your final selection makes the chills go away during the winter season. After all, a cozy and snug home is a happy home!  

    Read more: 4 Interior Window Trim Styles for an Old-world Elegance

    Are you interested in learning more about Weatherstrip For Greenhouses? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

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