Weather Stripping Buying Guide

Weatherstripping is a process that seals doors and windows. In your home, doors and windows allow for access and fresh air. Doors and windows are frequently opened and weatherstripping is designed to close the openings with a durable seal.

You can hire a qualified professional to perform an energy assessment on your home with a blower door test. This test can reveal places with air leaks in your home and pinpoint areas that need insulation and weatherstripping.

You can also determine on your own whether your doors and windows need weatherstripping via a visual inspection. Examine doors and windows during daytime, looking for daylight around the frame.

Once you’ve identified areas with leaks, you can use caulk or weatherstripping to seal them. See our guide on using caulk to seal leaks.

Tip: Sometimes, it’s more effective to replace leaky windows and doors with newer, energy-efficient models.

Weatherproofing your home keeps the weather out and cool or warm air in, depending on the season.

Seal window and door frames with foam weatherstripping products. They are easy to apply and can be cut with scissors. Make sure to install weatherstripping material when temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Weatherstripping products include:

• Polyurethane foam tape is a good quick fix for a draft problem. It’s used only for interiors and cannot be exposed to water. It’s self-adhesive, forming a weather-tight seal against dirt and drafts. Poly foam is compressible, reducing to 10 percent of its original size, and works great in uneven and very narrow gaps. Use poly foam weatherstripping in rental properties, college dorms and vacation homes.

• Vinyl foam tape is a water-resistant, versatile product that can be used both indoors and out. It’s compressible and fills narrow gaps from 3/16-inch down to 1/16-inch. For windows, apply on upper and lower window sashes between window and sill. For doors, apply to the door stop molding, across the top and down the latch side of the frame. Vinyl foam is available in several colors and thicknesses to customize for your project.

• Rubber foam tape is a high-density project that provides minimum compression and excellent shock absorption. Rubber foam can prevent rattles, vibrations and squeaks. This self-adhesive project is easy to apply with no special tools needed. Rubber foam weatherstripping can be used in interior and exterior applications.

• A premium product, EPDM cellular foam is durable and won’t harden, crack or freeze in extreme cold weather. This compressible material fills gaps ¼-inch down to 1/8-inch thick. It’s UV resistant and retains its shape in sub-zero temperatures.

Add protection to the bottom of door frames with these products:

• Door sweeps are made of durable, heavy-duty materials that will keep pests from entering your home. Standard door sweeps are 48 inches wide, and most can be cut to smaller sizes using everyday tools. Door sweeps can be self-adhesive or attached with screws. Pay attention to the type of floor surface when selecting a door sweep product.

• Door bottoms are used to seal gaps under doors. They typically slide on to the bottom of the door and have slots to drill screws to attach to the door.