The following is a guest post by Rodney Southern.
Learning how to weatherstrip your doors and windows is a great way to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling system. It can also save an average of 10 to 15 percent on your monthly energy bills. Here are a few quick and easy steps you can use to seal the gaps on your home’s doors and windows.
Choose Your Weatherstripping Product
There are several different types of weatherstripping products to choose from. Some are more expensive than others, and some require more work to install. Typically, felt is the most economical option. You can also choose metal strips, foam, or vinyl. When you research the different types, you will want to look out for price and ease of installation. Products that come with pressure-sensitive adhesive backings are the easiest to install on your doors and windows.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
You will need to cut your weatherstripping to fit the size of your door or window. Most products can be cut using heavy-duty scissors. Once you have measured the area where you will be applying the weatherstripping, simply cut each strip to the appropriate size. Make sure to measure twice so that you don’t waste any of the material.
Easy Application
Begin by washing the area where you will apply the weatherstripping. This will allow adhesive to stay secured to the bottom of your door or window sash. Once the area is clean and dry, simply remove the backing and press the weatherstripping into place. You will want to allow some time for the adhesive to set before you open or close the window or door.
Metal Strips that Require Nails
If you choose to install metal strips, you will need to follow a few more steps. You will want to have a screwdriver, hammer, nails, and metal-cutting snips. Once you have cut each strip into place you will need to position them so that you can see any areas where you might need to trim the metal around locks or hinges. Next, nail each piece into place at the top and bottom. This will allow you to remove them easily if you find that your measurements are off. Once everything is in place, you can affix the rest of the nails to secure the metal strips.
Improving your home’s heating and cooling efficiency is as easy as following these simple steps. Now that you know how to weatherstrip your doors and windows, you can start inspecting your home for air leaks. You’ll be able to keep warm air in during the winter and keep cool air in during the summer once you install weatherstripping in your home.
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Rodney Southern is a long time content writer specializing in a wide array of niches both online and in print. His work has been featured on sites such as Yahoo.com, The Sporting News and numerous others over an eleven plus year career. He also runs his own website on diabetes called Dashing Diabetes. He was the National Call for Content Winner for 2008. Southern resides in Greensboro, NC with his wife, Julie, and identical twin daughters, Valerie and Brooke.
