The weather stripping provides thermal and acoustic insulation, as well as protecting from dust and wind.
A weather stripping is a strip that is installed in joints and cracks of windows and doors to contribute to the insulation of a room . Weatherstrips can be made from various materials, generally having an adhesive to facilitate their placement.
Weather stripping contributes to the air conditioning and sound insulation of a room . They also help save because, by preventing air from entering and leaving, the need for heating or cooling systems is reduced.
Facility
Installing a weather stripping is a relatively simple process and may vary slightly depending on the type used and the space where we want to place it (door or window). The necessary materials are: scissors or knife, to cut the weather stripping to the appropriate size; cleaner or alcohol, to prepare the surface where the weather stripping will be applied; rag or cloth, to dry the surface; glue (optional, in case the weather stripping does not have self-adhesive).
Installation steps:
- Make sure the surface of the door or window is clean, free of dust or dirt. To do this, you can use a cleaner or alcohol and a cloth;
- Place the weather stripping along the top or side to measure the length needed. It usually needs to be trimmed to fit perfectly;
- Press the weather stripping firmly, lining it up correctly and making sure the adhesive adheres firmly to the surface.
Repeat the steps above to apply the weather stripping to the opposite side of the door or window and, if necessary, to the bottom. If the weather stripping is not self-adhesive or if we want greater fixation , we can apply a little glue to the back before placing it. Finally, we must check that the weather stripping acts as we expect, that is, that it prevents the passage of air into the room, or that it insulates it thermally or acoustically.
Guys
There are different types of weather stripping designed to adapt to different sealing and insulation needs. Some of the most common types of include:
- Self-adhesive foam weather stripping – These are made of polyurethane foam or neoprene and feature a layer of adhesive on the back that allows for easy installation. They are ideal for sealing gaps in doors and windows, providing good thermal and acoustic insulation;
- rubber or rubber weather stripping : they are resistant and durable. They also come with adhesive for easy installation. They are effective at sealing cracks in doors and windows and offer a good seal against drafts and noise;
- Brush or hair weather stripping : These are composed of nylon or polypropylene filaments that form a flexible and soft seal when closing the door or window. They are useful to prevent the passage of dust, insects and drafts;
- silicone weather stripping : they are very flexible and adhere strongly to the surface. They are water and weather resistant, making them ideal for exterior applications or in wet areas;
- Outdoor weather stripping – These are specifically designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions and protect against moisture, wind and dust . They can be made of rubber, silicone or weather-resistant materials;
- garage door weather stripping : they are designed to seal the space between the garage door and the frame, preventing the entry of dust, water and air ;
- blind weather stripping : used to seal and insulate the gaps between the slats of blinds, improving thermal and acoustic insulation.
There are different types of weather stripping to cover different needs.
Useful life
Weather stripping has a certain useful life. The friction that occurs every time the windows or doors are opened and closed wears out the weather stripping, making it essential to replace it every certain amount of time. Although it depends on multiple factors, it is normal for a weatherstrip to last about six years.
When the weather stripping shows wear, it must be replaced with another one. Otherwise, air will circulate between the joints again.