~ 5 min read
[Most Common] Types of Weather Stripping for Doors
Door weatherstripping is one of the most common home maintenance and repair work homeowners do themselves. It’s pretty easy to install and significantly decreases the noise and cold air in a house through the front or back door.
But there are several types of door weatherstripping, and it’s essential to know which type of weatherstripping is right for your specific type of door.
Door weatherstripping is the foam, rubber, or vinyl strip that goes between the door and the frame of a house. There are several types of door weatherstripping, and each kind works best for certain types of doors.
Types of weatherstripping for doors
Weatherstripping for your exterior doors is one of the simplest ways to create a tight seal between doors and frames. The material is often vinyl but can be made from other materials. Vinyl inserts are usually placed around door frames to help create a tight seal.
You can place vinyl weather stripping for the bottom of doors on the door or the door frame. This is often called threshold weather stripping. Vinyl weather stripping for the bottom of the door can be a vinyl strip or a vinyl mat placed on the floor inside the door frame.
Weatherstripping placed around the edge of the door can help create a tight seal when the door is closed. Vinyl is the most common material used for this type of weather stripping. But, other materials, like felt, are also used.
What is the most popular type of weather stripping?
One of the most popular types of weather stripping is tension seal. This is the most common type of weather stripping for doors because it works well on various door styles and can be installed relatively easily. Tension seal weatherstripping is flexible and fits snugly around doors, windows, and other areas that need to be weatherproofed.
Tension seal weatherstripping also comes in several types, including window stops and special tension seal weatherstripping for windows. Gaps around doors are often filled with standard tension seal weatherstripping, also available in several widths and thicknesses.
The main disadvantage of tension seal weatherstripping is that it is not very sturdy and can be damaged easily, especially when the weatherstripping is new. It can also be damaged by changes in temperature, though many types of tension seal weatherstripping are reasonably resistant to temperature changes.
What are the benefits of using foam tape?
Foam tape is a low-cost option that can still be very effective in sealing drafts. The key is to use high-quality weather-resistant tape that insulates that won’t harden, crack, or become brittle when exposed to sunlight.
Metal strips offer excellent protection and can be attractive and durable if made of stainless steel. The main drawback is that they can be expensive and need to be professionally installed.
The key to using foam tape is to make sure that you choose a high-quality option that is weather-resistant, insulates, and won’t harden, crack, or become brittle when exposed to sunlight.
How do door sweeps work?
There can be a lot of confusion regarding the parts of a door. The bottom of the door – often called the base – is the bottom of the frame, not the bottom of the door. The sweep covers the bottom of the door.
The sweep is essential for glass doors since it has to seal the entire jamb, not just the bottom of the door. If you have a non-glass door, the sweep is likely just a piece of weather stripping that runs along the bottom edge of the door.
If you have a door with a broken weather seal, you can purchase a replacement door seal that replaces the entire door jamb. These are available in different lengths and materials and can be installed in minutes.
What is the difference between tubular rubber and silicone weather stripping?
For many homeowners, the primary motivation for weather stripping is saving money. Even a tiny change in your energy bills can quickly add to a significant sum over a year.
But how much can you save? Exact numbers can vary widely, depending on several factors. But in general, you can save between 5% and 10% on your energy bills by weather stripping all of your operable windows.
If you are adding weather stripping to a window frame, the most common choices are transparent or opaque rubber or silicone.
Opaque rubber or silicone weather stripping is easy to install and works well. It is a good option if you have a window frame to install the weather stripping and then slide the window in and out of the frame.
Clear weather stripping is also typical. It uses the same type of energy-efficient design as transparent solar screens. This weather stripping is often used on the bottom of a window frame. You can still see outside, but it keeps out the cold and drafts.
Rubber and silicone weather stripping comes in a range of colors. But most homeowners stick to black, white, or clear options.
A few different types of weather stripping can be used on doors, but some are more common than others. The most common type of weather stripping is the adhesive-backed foam strips, which are easy to install and relatively inexpensive. Other common types include door sweeps, threshold seals, and gaskets.
Related Reading: