Weather The Storm: Part 7- Weather Stripping

Do yourself a favor. Next time it is cold outside, go to your windows and doors inside and place the back of your hand near the edges......do you feel cold air? If so, this also means escaping heat for which you pay a premium price for. Possibly the easiest and cheapest of all the weatherization procedures to apply, weather stripping will instantly shift things in your home's favor by completely sealing these air infiltration points. 

 

Detecting Air Leaks Properly

You may already know where some air leakage occurs in your home, such as an under-the-door draft, but you'll need to find the less obvious gaps to properly air seal your home. For a thorough and accurate measurement of air leakage in your home, hire a qualified technician to conduct an energy assessment, particularly a blower door test. According to the Dept of Energy, a blower door test, which depressurizes a home, can reveal the location of many leaks. A complete energy assessment will also help determine areas in your home that need more insulation.

The leading culprits of air leakage are:

• Door and window frames
• Mail chutes
• Electrical and gas service entrances
• Cable TV and phone lines
• Outdoor water faucets
• Where dryer vents pass through walls
• Bricks, siding, stucco, and foundation
• Air conditioners
• Vents and fans.

Selection
Out of the hundreds of different products available which is right for you?
Choose a type of weatherstripping that will withstand the friction, weather, temperature changes, and wear and tear associated with its location. For example, when applied to a door bottom or threshold, weatherstripping could drag on carpet or erode as a result of foot traffic. Weatherstripping in a window sash must accommodate the sliding of panes—up and down, sideways, or out. The weatherstripping you choose should seal well when the door or window is closed while allowing it to open freely.
Choose a product for each specific location. Felt and open-cell foams tend to be inexpensive, susceptible to weather, visible, and inefficient at blocking airflow. However, the ease of applying these materials may make them valuable in low-traffic areas. Vinyl, which is slightly more expensive, holds up well and resists moisture. Metals (bronze, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum) last for years and are affordable. Metal weatherstripping can also provide a nice touch to older homes where vinyl might seem out of place.
You can use more than one type of weatherstripping to seal an irregularly shaped space. Also take durability into account when comparing costs. See Table 1  for information about the common types of weatherstripping.

Fox Service Company is Austin's largest and most reliable provider of weatherization measures including weather stripping. Call us today for a FREE ENERGY AUDIT!