Many older homes, and
even some newer ones, have numerous little cracks,
holes and spaces through which warm air escapes and
cold air enters during the winter. In the summer
this works in reverse: unwanted hot air enters and
welcomed cool air escapes. All these little drafts
of air can make a home uncomfortable in the winter
and could cause ill health.
Air leaks can also damage the house's insulation,
because warm, moist air leaving the house dampens
the insulation and reduces its heat-resisting
effectiveness. And, of course, all that cold air
entering the house means you have to raise the
thermostat setting to keep warm. This forces the
furnace to work harder and use more fuel to keep
indoor air at a comfortable temperature.
In homes that have not been weatherized, air leaks
account, on the average, for 30-40% of the heat lost
from the house. This is why making a house leakproof
through steps such as weather- stripping is the
first step one should take to stop energy waste and
save unnecessary fuel costs.
Weather stripping is a narrow piece of metal, vinyl,
rubber, felt or foam that seals the contact area
between the fixed and movable sections of a joint.
Weather stripping prevents air infiltration around
windows and doors by eliminating gaps between the
frames and the moving parts when they are closed.
All exterior doors, as well as doors leading to an
attic or garage, should be weatherized, as should
all operable windows.
A more expensive type of weather stripping that will
last can be the most economical choice. Most weather
stripping is made of sponge, foam, felt, vinyl or
metal, or a combination of materials. These
materials vary in cost and durability.
Some of your weather stripping options are as
follows:
Sponge or foam is inexpensive, but not very durable.
It tends to deteriorate when exposed to weather and
is not suitable for applications where there is
friction or abrasion. Neoprene sponge or vinyl foam
is more durable than sponge rubber or polyurethane
foam.
Felt is also relatively inexpensive, but not very
durable. Do not use felt where it is exposed to the
weather or moisture. Felt tears easily and requires
care in installation. It should not be used where
there is friction or abrasion. All-wool felt is more
durable, but is also more expensive.
Vinyl is used in many types of weather stripping. It
is generally a durable product and resistant to
moisture. It is usually more expensive than foam or
felt.
Metals, such as bronze, copper, stainless steel and
aluminum, are used in weather stripping. Metal
weather stripping tends to be low cost and durable.
Aluminum is frequently used for reinforcing other
weather-stripping materials.
Contact our Home Improvement Specialist today
to help you with your home improvement needs.