Weatherstripping: Protecting Your Home from the Elements

September 28, 2024

Weatherstripping is one of those often-overlooked but undeniably significant tasks in staving off nature’s unpredictable elements’ effects on your home. Bracing for an unexpected storm, excessive summer heat or even just improving energy efficiency; whatever the case may be, weatherstripping is a highly recommended task in safeguarding one’s home.

What is Weatherstripping?

Weatherstripping includes sealing openings in doors and windows to prevent penetration of outside air, moisture, or even pests into your home. It is an essential part of any insulation system in the house meant to maintain a constant indoor air temperature and reduce drafts, thereby cutting energy expenses.

Types of Weatherstripping

The materials used in weatherstripping are varied and are meant for different areas of the house. The following are some of the general types one can find on the market.

Foam Tape: The degree of difficulty to install is reasonable and is good for sealing gaps around windows and doors. Materials utilized are largely rubber or vinyl, making them good insulators for small gap spaces.

V-Strips: This form of seal is best utilized on the edges of windows and doors. They are very flexible and will create a tight seal when a door or window is closed thereby keeping drafts and moisture out.

Sweeps: Fitted at the bottoms of the doors, door sweeps prevent air from drafting in under the doors. The strips of rubber or plastic can be quite handy for high wind or rainy areas and can be applied to virtually any type of door.

Weatherstripping Felt: This is a low-budget solution for those doors and windows which are underutilized. Although felt is less durable than other materials, it is reasonably good in keeping drafts out and is easy to install.

Why is Weatherstripping Important?

Protection of your house with good weatherstripping offers numerous advantages:

Energy Efficiency: Weatherstripping seals many gaps and openings around windows and doors to prevent heated or cooled air inside your home from escaping. This will make a house more energy-efficient and help save on utility bills.

Moisture Prevention: Weatherstripping prevents rainfall and humidity from penetrating your home thereby keeping it dry. By doing so, it decreases the potential for mold and mildew in your home.

Pest Control: Small gaps around windows and doors are prime entry points for insects and rodents. Weatherstripping can help keep unwanted pests out of your home.

When Should You Replace Weatherstripping?

The best weatherstripping in the world will wear out with time, especially if fluctuations in temperature are excessive or if your area is prone to storms. All of these signs will demonstrate clearly enough that you need replacement of your weatherstripping:

• Cracked or peeling strip
• The struggle to close a door or window
• Noticeable draft around the doors or windows
• Increased energy bills seemingly without reason

Smith & DeShields

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