Weather Stripping Exterior Doors

Who hasn't really noticed that gas and oil prices seem to be rising on an almost daily basis? This rising cost is affecting just about every aspect of our lives? One way that we can ensure to save a little more money during the extreme cold of the winter months, and the dramatic heat of the summer months, is to periodically check the weather stripping on our exterior doors. Properly weatherproofing our doors can dramatically increase savings on our heating and cooling bills.

Simply put, when you see that your weather stripping appears to be worn, frayed, or even old, then it is time to replace them. Replacing the weather stripping is relatively easy. The instructions for how to do so can be found on just about every package of weather stripping that is currently sold. The real trick lies in choosing the best kind of weather stripping for your needs.

There are three basic kinds of weather stripping for your doors. The first is called wrapped foam, and is without a doubt the easiest kind of weather stripping to install. Wrapped foam weather stripping is basically something that is made with a small core of either foam or sponge, which is wrapped up in neoprene or rubber. This type of weather stripping is great since it can usually take a beating, last a relatively long time, is easy to install and adjust to your needs with the use of either a pair of scissors or even a utility knife. However, since it is so easy to cut, even after you install it, it can be damaged over time, and is often susceptible to dry rot.

The second kind of weather stripping is called metal flange weather stripping. Usually, this kind of weather stripping is only used on metal exterior doors. Metal flange weather stripping is usually held in place with screws, and a thin layer of waterproof material between the door and the stripping itself. Metal flange weather stripping is one that is fairly easy to install, but care needs to be taken. When adjusting the stripping to it's proper size, it's really easy to get hurt since you will be cutting the metal with tin snips, and the tin is usually fairly sharp.

Finally, the last kind of weather stripping is called vinyl or silicone bulb. This is one of the more traditional types of weather stripping available, and is also a fairly easy one to install. In essence, what the silicone or vinyl bulb weather stripping does is create a little bubble, or "bulb," that covers and seals the gap between the door and the threshold. Typically this kind of weather stripping is attached to the door itself, with the bulb facing towards the ground and often lightly drags across the ground.