Weather Strip Doors and Windows

There are generally three types of weather stripping for door and window openings available at your local home store. The first is a strip of sponge foam with an adhesive on one side. This type is made to go along the side edges and bottom of a door or window sash. A second type consists of a metal band and a vinyl tube or strip. This type is made to go along the jamb next to the door or sash. The third type is a copper band designed to create a wedge in the gap between the jamb and the door or sash. The goal of all these designs is the same, to block air from passing thru the opening between the jamb and a door or window.

All these weather strips work equally well as long as they are installed correctly. By far the easiest one to install correctly for a do it yourselfer is the one pictured here. This weather strip consists of an aluminum band with a vinyl tube attached to one edge. This design blocks air by pressing the vinyl tube against the door or window gap.

This weather strip is usually intended for use on doors but can also be used on windows. It comes in packs of two long strips and one short strip. To install it, close the door or window and work from the outside. Measure along the top of the opening, right next to the moving part. Cut the short strip to fit snugly at both sides of the frame.

While holding the top strip in place, press the vinyl tube against the crack between the door and jamb and fasten the metal band to the jamb using the included screws. These screws are short enough to use a drill–driver to drive them without pilot holes. Don't press the vinyl too tightly against the gap while driving the screws to avoid binding when you move the door or window sash. Drive the screws at the outer edge of the slotted screw holes to allow room for adjustment.

Measure the sides of the opening from the top strip to the threshold. Cut and install the side strips using every other screw hole and test the door or sash from smooth operation. If there is binding, loosen the screws and push the strip back a bit while tightening the screws again. Test again and install the remaining screws when you have the right adjustment.

To cover the gap at the bottom of the door or window opening, use a different type of weather stripping. For the bottom of doors use a "floor sweeper" weather strip. This is a metal band with a vinyl band attached to one edge. The vinyl covers the gap under the door and also moves freely back and forth as you move the door.

Use a foam tape to weather strip the bottom of a window sash. A very thin foam of about a sixteenth inch is all that is usually needed to block these gaps. Thicker foam may be too thick and make it impossible to completely close the window. Be sure the sash edge is clean and wipe or sand it if necessary to allow for a good bond before applying the weather strip tape.