stop and jamb door weatherstripping

Felt and foam tapes and most of the self-adhesive plastic weatherstrips used on the stops and jambs of doors are cheap and simple to install, but they can be very inefficient. There are other more durable and effective weatherstrips, though more difficult to install and more expensive.

Air sealing the gap at the bottom of a door is very different from air sealing its sides and top. It demands different weatherstripping materials and procedures.

The best weatherstripping materials

Magnetic weather-stripping is excellent for duration and effectiveness. These weather-strips are very common on new doors, but are difficult to install in existing doors.

Silicone bulb, vinyl flap and fabric-covered polyurethane weatherstrips are also excellent materials for the sides and the top of doors. They are very flexible, which is very important for durability and sealing. They are able to respond to the small movements of the door, due to the temperature and humidity changes.

Tension seals (with V-strips) are also excellent weatherstripping products, probably the best for door jambs. They are more difficult to install, but they are very effective and durable.

Besides traditional bronze, aluminum, steel and other metal V-seal weatherstripping, there are now also plastic and vinyl V-seal self-adhesive products. They aren't as durable as traditional tension seals but they are much easier to install. They do not need to be nailed in place like metal V-seal weatherstripping…

Installing self-stick V-strips is easy. Just clean the edge of the door, carefully, removing unwanted grease, residues of paint, etc. Then, cut the pieces of V-strip to the sides and top, taking into account the dimensions of the door. To begin to apply the V-strip pieces, peel off the backing of the V-strip at one end and press the material in place, peeling and pressing toward the other end. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but be aware. Non-adhesive V-strips are more durable and can be be more energy-efficient.

Other weatherstripping materials

Felt tapes, foam tapes and most of self-adhesive plastic weatherstripping (for the sides and top of doors) are cheaper than the weatherstripping materials cited above, and very simple to install. But they do not provide a good or durable sealing. Avoid them, except for temporary uses, where the sealing quality isn’t truly important.

Installing these types of weatherstripping products is extremely simple. To get a more secure bond, clean the surfaces where the tape/foam is going to be applied. Make sure they are dirt-paint-grease-free. The application involves peeling off the backing and sticking the tape/foam down. Follow the package instructions.

Images credit: Keep Warm Illinois