Tools and Materials
Tools
Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.
Weatherize Your Home
Weatherstripping can help seal air leaks in areas of your home, such as doors, windows and attic access points. If you decide to take on an entire home DIY weather stripping and sealing project, identify all the air leaks in your home, including those in unseen holes or pathways in your plumbing, wiring and HVAC system.
There are a couple of easy ways to determine where you'll need weatherstripping. Start by inspecting the windows or doors. Look for places where you can see light shining through. You can also use the smoke from an incense stick or candle, watching its direction to see if there's air movement.
Installing window weather stripping is easy. However, there are different ways and types of window weatherstripping for double hung and casement windows. Follow the appropriate instructions for your window type.
How to Choose Weatherstripping
To choose the best type of weatherstripping for your windows or doors, make sure that it will withstand the temperature changes, friction, weather and wear and tear associated with the location. See the table below to learn about the different types of weatherstripping.
Weatherstripping the Sash
Clean the bottom of the sash with soap and water and let dry. Measure the window and cut the weatherstripping to the proper length. Peel the backing off the foam backing to reveal the adhesive side. Place and press firmly against the bottom of the sash to form a tight bond.
Weatherstrip the Window Jamb
Clean the jamb with soap and water. Allow it to dry completely. Cut two pieces of V-seal long enough to match each sash height. If you’re using adhesive-backed weatherstripping, simply peel off the backing and stick into the channel. Other weatherstripping may require a hammer and finishing nails to secure into place. 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.
Weatherstripping the Back Sash
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 inches, peel the back from the channel strip 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.
Weatherstripping Casement Windows
Casement windows only require foam tape. Open the window and clean the outside of the stops with soapy water. Allow the stops to dry completely. Cut foam tape 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.
Other Ways to Insulate Windows
Window insulation is an important element in keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Insulating a window is easier than you think. Weatherstripping is one way to seal up leaks that may be letting air in or out. However, there’s more than one way in how to seal your windows, keep your home warm and lower your utility costs.
Window Spray Foam Insulation
Window spray foam insulation is designed to fill the space around windows and doors and create an airtight seal that prevents heat loss. Make sure to use a minimal-expansion foam insulation to avoid excessive expansion, which could damage the window jamb.
Wear protective gear — including eye protection, nitrile gloves and a face mask — when using window spray foam.
Window Treatments
Cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades, are a popular and versatile choice for many homeowners. They’re fabric shades made up of two or more layers of woven fabric shaped in honeycomb cells that trap air and offer excellent insulation. Because of the material, they shouldn’t be used on windows where there’s constant or direct moisture, like a window over a bathtub or a window above a kitchen sink. Cellular shades are available in light-filtering, room-darkening and blackout light control varieties.
Curtains and drapes combine style and function. Thermal or insulated curtains and drapes add an extra layer of insulation to your home’s windows, helping reduce the indoor-outdoor heat loss and gain. When searching for good, insulated curtains or drapes, look for a closed-weave fabric instead of an open weave. A closed weave is more effective than an open weave at preventing air and light from entering a room. For maximum protection, curtains and drapes should be hung as close to the window as possible, and the bottoms should fall onto or pool on the windowsill or floor.
Plantation shutters seal right up against the window frame for added insulation. One of the main sources of heat loss in your home is through the windows. Not only are plantation shutters an attractive addition to any room, but they also act as a barrier between the interior room and the window, blocking unwanted air from entering while keeping the room at your desired temperature.
Solar Replacement Screens
Another option for window insulation is solar replacement screens, which have tight weaves to prevent the heat of the sun from entering the home. Solar replacement screens block up to 90% of ultraviolet (UV) rays but still allow for visibility to the outdoors. Another added benefit to solar replacement screens is that they also help protect fabrics on your furniture and carpet from fading.
For help with new screens, read our Replacement Window Screen Buying Guide.
Draft Guards
Draft guards are a quick and easy way to block cold air from coming in through your window. They’re fabric tubes filled with insulating materials that are placed at the base of your windows and act as a windbreak. They work to keep warm air inside while keeping cold drafts outside.
Caulking
Caulking is an efficient and common way to help insulate windows. Caulk fills in the visible gaps or cracks that may be allowing air in and out. It’s best to caulk on the interior window and on the exterior of the window to seal unwanted air leaks. Not sure how to caulk? Our caulking guide can help you out.
Glazing
Glazing fills the spaces between a double or triple-pane window with a nontoxic, odorless gas. Over time, the gas may leak out, making it necessary to have it refilled. Another option is low-emissive glaze, also known as Low-E glaze. Low-E glaze windows have a transparent, microscopically thin coating that reflects heat back into the home during cold weather and outside during warm weather. They offer UV protection without minimizing the amount of light that comes into the home.
Replacement Windows
If the current windows in your home don’t offer the insulation you need for energy efficiency, it may be time for replacement windows. Look for windows labeled as ENERGY STAR® certified for different zones of the country. These windows are certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or Department of Energy and use less energy. Read our Window Replacement Buying Guide for more information on choosing the right windows for your home.