What It Means
Weatherstripping is material fitted into the joints of doors and windows that open, so they close against a seal instead of leaving a gap. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) draws the line simply: weatherstripping goes on the parts that move, and caulkCaulkingSealing cracks and gaps between parts of a house that don't move, such as around window and door frames, with a flexible filler called caulk. See more fills cracks between parts that stay put, such as a window frame against the wall. Both cut the drafts that make a house harder to heat and cool.
Try It: Compare Weatherstripping Materials
Pick a material to see how DOE describes it.
| What matters | This material |
|---|---|
| Cost | InexpensiveA little moreAffordable |
| How it lasts | Suffers in the weatherHolds up well, resists moistureLasts for years |
| Best for | Low-traffic spots, easy to fitSpots that see moistureOlder homes where vinyl looks out of place |
DOE notes felt and foam are visible and don't block airflow well.
Fit any of them on a clean, dry surface above 20°F.
How It Sounds at Home
- "There's a draft coming under the back door."
- "I need to redo the seal on that sliding window."
- "You can see daylight around the door when it's shut."
The Breakdown
How to do it, following DOE's guidance
- Find the leaks at the parts that move: exterior doors and the windows you open. Fixed joints, such as where a frame meets the wall, get caulk instead.
- Choose a material for the spot. DOE calls felt and open-cell foam cheap and easy but visible, weather-sensitive and weak at blocking air, so they suit low-traffic places. Vinyl costs a little more and resists moisture. Metal strips of bronze, copper, stainless steel or aluminum last for years and look at home on older houses.
- Clean the surface and let it dry completely.
- Fit the strip when it's above 20°F, which DOE gives as the lower limit for applying it.
- Close the door or window and check it still shuts and latches without forcing (Buhata's suggestion).
Try it today. Walk around the house on a windy day and feel along the edges of each door and opening window. Make a list of the ones where you feel air moving; that's your shopping list.
Why bother. DOE describes sealing air leaks as a cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs and make a home more comfortable, and it says caulking and weatherstripping often pay for themselves within a year or less.
Good to Know
DOE describes the return on caulking and weatherstripping as often a year or less, so read that as typical rather than guaranteed. Pick materials by where they go: DOE points felt and foam toward low-traffic spots, and describes vinyl as holding up well and metal as lasting for years. Follow the product's label for surface prep and fitting.
FAQ
What's the difference between weatherstripping and caulk?
DOE puts it this way: weatherstripping seals parts that move, like doors and windows that open, and caulk seals cracks between parts that don't move, like around a window frame.
What's the best weatherstripping material?
It depends on the spot. DOE says felt and foam are cheap but weak against air and weather, vinyl holds up well and resists moisture, and metal lasts for years.
Can I put weatherstripping on in winter?
DOE says to apply it to clean, dry surfaces when the temperature is above 20°F, so a mild winter day can work.
Do It in Buhata
Maintenance and Tasks with a repeat
Add "Check door and window weatherstripping" to Maintenance in your Household X add-on each fall, so it rolls forward to next year when you tick it.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Caulking
Sealing cracks and gaps between parts of a house that don't move, such as around window and door frames, with a flexible filler called caulk.
- Insulation R-value
A number that rates how well insulation resists heat flowing through it. The higher the R-value, the better it insulates.
- Seasonal home maintenance
Home upkeep sorted by time of year, so each job lands when the weather suits it and before the system it protects is needed most.
- Window condensation
Water droplets that form on the inside of window glass when moist indoor air meets the cold pane, which EPA treats as a sign of high humidity.
Sources
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver, "Weatherstripping"; U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver, "Caulking"; U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver, "Air Sealing Your Home"
- www.energy.gov/energysaver/weatherstripping?nrg_redirect=271585
- www.energy.gov/energysaver/caulking?nrg_redirect=306148
- www.energy.gov/energysaver/air-sealing-your-home?nrg_redirect=302102
Last updated .