Type of Weather Stripping

This article was written by Anne Field, ExtensionSpecialist, Emeritus, with references from MichiganExtension bulletin, Caulking and Weatherstripping.

Metal

Seals by spring tension. Nearly invisible with proper installation. A goodvalue.

• very effective
• lasts 10-20 years
• moderately easy to install; measure, cut and nai
• used on most wood window channels
• used on door frame top and sides
• installation requires tin snips, hammer, nails, tape measure

Foam-filled Vinyl Tube

Unsightly in some places. Reinforced flange is verydurable. Do not paint the tube gasket.

• very effective
• lasts 5-10 years
• easy to install; measure, cut and nail
• used on window frames
• used on door frame top and sides
• installation requires knife or shears, hammer and nails or staple gun, tape measure

Hollow Vinyl Tube

Unsightly in some places. Reinforced flange is verydurable. Do not paint the tube gasket.

• effective
• lasts 2-7 years
• easy to install; measure, cut and nail or staple
• used on window frames
• used on door frame top and sides
• installation requires knife or shears, hammer andnails or staple gun, tape measure

Foam Rubber Tape

Many widths and thicknesses available. Will not stick todirty surface. Clean and dry surfaces before installing.

• effective
• lasts 1-5 years
• easy installation; measure, cut, peel and stick
• used on window top and bottom
• used on door frame top and sides but not wheresurfaces slide against each other
• installation requires knife or shear, tape measure

Rigid Metal Strip Tube Gasket

Metal strips with slots rather than holes for fastenerscan later be adjusted. Do not paint tube gasket.
-very effective
-lasts 5-10 years
-moderately easy to install; measure, cut, screw or
nail in place
-used on window frames
-used on door frame top and sides
-installation requires hack saw, hammer and nails or
screwdriver and screws, tape measure

Wood Strip Foam Gasket

Wood strip can be finished to match door frame. Notgood for warped doors. Do not paint the foam.

• effective
• lasts 1-3 years
• moderately easy to install; measure, cut and nail inplace
• used on door frame top and sides
• installation requires hand saw, hammer, nails, tapemeasure

Felt Strips

Only good for narrow and even gaps. Comes apart whererubbing occurs. Do not paint. Not effective when wet.

• least effective
• lasts 1-2 years
• easy to install; measure, cut, nail or staple
• used on wood window top and bottom
• used on door frame top and sides
• installation requires knife or shears, hammer andnails or staple gun, tape measure

Vinyl / Plastic / Mylar 'V'

This works like the spring metal. It's installed flat andthen bent to a 'V' shape, the open end of the 'V' to theoutside of the doors which open inward.

• very effective
• lasts 2-20 years
• easy to install; measure, cut, peel and stick
• used on window channels, sides, top and bottom
• used on door frame top and sides
• installation requires knife or shears, tape measure