You may not think that those small cracks and crevices around your doors and windows
are a very big deal. But, did you know that a 1/8" space between a standard
exterior door and its threshold is equivalent to a two square inch hole
in the wall? Closing those gaps can save you up to 15 percent in heating
and cooling costs and also can reduce the demand on your heating and cooling
system. Best of all, you can probably weatherstrip your entire home in
a single day. Lowe's is happy to provide this information as a service
to you.
Weatherstripping windows is easy. However, there are different ways of weatherstripping
double-hung and casement windows. Double-hung windows require two types
of weatherstripping. Casement windows only require one.
For Double-Hung Windows:
Clean the bottom of the sash with soap and water and let dry.
Cut the foam weatherstripping to length.
Peel the back from the foam. Press the adhesive side of the foam against the bottom of the sash to form a tight bond.
Clean the jamb with soap and water. Allow it to dry completely.
Cut two pieces of V-channel 1" longer than each sash height.
Peel the back from the V-channel and work it between the sash stiles
and the jamb. Press the channel firmly into the jamb.
Drive finish nails through the weatherstripping into the jamb to hold
it securely. Test the sash to ensure it doesn't catch on the nails.
Clean the back of the bottom sash with soapy water and allow it to dry completely.
Cut a piece of V-channel to match the width of the sash.
With the sash raised 3" to 4", peel the back from the channel and
press it firmly into the back of the sash even with the top.
The V should open facing up so the weatherstripping compresses
when the window is closed.
V-channel weatherstripping on double-hung windows.
For Casement Windows:
Open the window and clean the outside of the stops with soapy water. Allow the stops to dry completely.
Cut self-adhesive foam to fit the top, bottom and sides of the stops.
Remove the back from each piece of foam and press it into the outside of the stops.
The doors
and windows in your home can allow air leaks even when they are closed.
ENERGY STAR home sealing is a way to create a tighter "home envelope"
– the walls, entryways, ceilings and floors that surround your living
area. While the primary components of ENERGY STAR and use of ENERGY
STAR qualified windows, weather-stripping can be used to help seal
air leaks on moveable components of your home envelope, such as doors,
windows and attic access points. When taking on an entire home sealing
project, ENERGY STAR recommends identifying all the air leaks in your
home, including those at unseen holes or pathways in your plumbing,
wiring, and HVAC system.
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These How-To's are provided as a service from Lowe's, the Original Home Improvement Warehouse of How-To information for the World Wide Web. The information in Lowe's "How-To" clinics is intended to simplify jobs around the house. Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.
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