Sealing the exterior doors in your home will help prevent warm air from leaving or cold air from entering your home during the winter. These tips include weatherstripping basics for choosing and installing these energy-saving products.

Types of Weatherstripping

• V-strips – This kind of weatherstripping works both for attic hatches and exterior doors. It’s made from metal or plastic and is an effective, durable insulation. When you close the door, the outside edges of it compress, forming a tight seal and stopping any air from entering or leaking. V-strip weatherstripping can be screwed incrementally to the top and side of the door frame. It also comes with sticky backing.
• Foam tape – This weatherstripping compresses when a door or window closes on it as well, but it isn’t as sturdy as other kinds. If you opt for this type, make sure you clean the surface on which you’re applying it, and try to avoid porous surfaces, where it’s less likely to have a permanent seal.
• Felt – If you opt for felt, choose wool felt that has a longer life span than other kinds of weatherstripping. It’s easy to install with staples or small nails.
• Tubular vinyl, rubber or silicone – These are effective types of weatherstripping, but your door must have a channel in the frame where the narrow part of the weatherstripping needs to be inserted. Silicone has a long life, since it has the ability to contract and expand without losing its insulating properties.

Other weatherstripping basics include adding door sweeps, which offer convenience and sufficient protection from air infiltration. Measure the door to which you’re adding the sweep before purchasing it. They’re usually placed on the inside at the base and screwed into the door. The base of the sweep has brushes to prevent any scratches or wear on the flooring.

Another option is to use draft dodgers at the base of exterior doors, but you’ll have to check them to make sure they’re positioned tightly against the door.

To learn more about weatherstripping basics or other home comfort needs, contact JD’s A/C. We proudly provide HVAC services for the Longview area.