Weather Stripping and Caulking
Weather stripping and caulking are two inexpensive methods to help keep the heat in and improve the comfort of your home. In addition, it can usually be installed by the homeowner and most home hardware stores have information readily available.Weather stripping
Weather stripping is used to block air leakage around doors and the windows that open. When choosing weather stripping, consider the size of the gap to be sealed and the durability, ease of installation and the product's appearance. Look for weather stripping that is flexible and springs back to it original shape quickly and easily.
Weather stripping comes in a variety of shapes such as a flat strip, tube or "V" shape, and in various materials. Vinyl V-strip and spring metal types both work well on most windows and doors. V-shaped weather stripping creates and maintains an excellent seal by making contact with edges. Adhesive-backed weather stripping may require additional stapling in place to ensure a longer life.
Doors that are subject to weather and temperature extremes should be weather stripped with rigid metal or wood with a flexible piece of vinyl. At the bottom of a door, apply weather stripping to either the sill or the door itself. Ensure your attic access hatch is insulated and weather stripped.
Weather stripping should be used in joints or between surfaces that must be free to move such as:
- where doors meet their frames
- where windows meet their frames
- all loose or drafty movable prime windows
- all exterior doors or doors between heated and unheated spaces such as basements, attics or garages
Weather stripping also:
- prevents air from leaking through gaps around doors and the moving parts of an operable window
- should be easy to replace (to be effective, it must close gaps completely)
- should be flexible and spring back to its original shape
- should allow you to open and close windows and doors easily; and
- can be applied to the tops and sides of any door frame.
Caulking
As a general rule, you should caulk any cracks or openings between surfaces that do not move relative to each other and where a permanent seal is desired.
The cost of improving the air-tightness of your home through caulking is low compared with the subsequent fuel savings and increased comfort. Caulking compound and a caulking gun, available at hardware stores, are used for most sealing jobs. One standard-size tube of caulking compound will make a bead 6 mm (¼ in.) wide and 7.6 m (25 ft.) long.
There are several types of caulking compounds available. Silicone caulking is ideal for metal, glass, glazed tile and plastic surfaces because it sticks, flexes and does not shrink over time. Acrylic latex caulking is a general purpose sealant that sticks best to porous materials like wood and concrete. Polyurethane caulking performs well on both porous and non-porous surfaces, is flexible, can be painted and is long lasting.
A heat-resistant caulking should be used around sources of heat such as chimneys, light fixtures and fan motors. Ensure the temperature is above 5° Celsius when caulking, otherwise the compound can be difficult to work with.
Read Climate Change Central's article Fall into Efficient Home Heating for additional energy saving tips.
