When people are concerned with keeping heat from escaping from their house and cold air getting in, many times only the windows are examined. However, entryways can be a source of considerable heat loss and it can result in a drafty, uncomfortable home. If you want to eliminate leaks and drafts from around your doorways, weather stripping is the answer. That gap around your entry can let in a lot of cold air and you can only imagine how miserable this would be on a freezing, blustery winter day.
entryway
Weather Stripping: What Is It?
It is a piece of material that can be placed along the top, sides and bottom of doors and windows. Weather stripping can be made from many different materials such as metal or plastic and it provides a physical barrier to prevent heat loss and stop cold air from seeping in. There are products that are designed to give you a single or double layer of protection against heat loss and it can genuinely help your family stay warmer.
When your entrance has the proper insulating strips, it will reduce the amount of heat lost and it will stop cold air from streaming in your house. Additionally, it will not only keep you warmer, it will help cut energy costs as well.
Weather sealing can become worn, bent, compressed or ripped over time. Fortunately, attaching new sealing materials can be done rather easily. Any well-sealed doorway must have insulation strips that cover the top and sides of entry, as well as a sweeper which fills the space between the threshold and the bottom.
When to Replace
There may be certain signs to let you know it could be time to replace your current insulation strips. These could include the following:
- Noticeable drafts in or around the doorway area
- Having a hard time controlling the temperature in the home
- Increase in energy costs
- Moisture around the walls or in the insulation
As you can imagine, the stripping around your door is subjected to a lot of wear and tear because of constant opening and closing. It could be necessary to replace just a certain portion of the old insulation or it could be time to replace the whole thing if there has been too much damage. It’s best to do a visual inspection of the entrance every year, before worn out or torn materials can cause serious issues.
Reduced Energy Costs
It can be very frustrating to open up your utility bill and see the rates climbing during the winter and summer months. However, one of the main reasons why your home could be using so much energy is due to not being properly insulated. Basically, insufficient insulation can result in difficulty keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Air leaks cause a lot more issues than just a bigger energy bill, it can also bring moisture into the house in the form of water vapor. This moisture can get into your walls and insulation, causing damage and possible mold or mildew growth.
Choosing the Right Weather Stripping Materials for Your Needs
Adding insulating strips is a way to “weatherize” your home. You should pick the materials you are going to use with diligence, because if not, your home will not benefit from it. Pick materials that will withstand temperature changes, friction and the wear and tear that come from opening and closing. Some of the most common materials used include reinforced vinyl, silicone and foam, because these provide moderate to high amounts of protection for your home and will give you better energy efficiency.
At Doors of Elegance, we offer a convenient, hassle-free way to ensure your doors are doing all they can for you and your pocketbook this winter: our customized Door Weatherization service. Call our friendly staff at (504) 887-5440 today for more information about how to keep your home’s entrance beautiful and functional this winter.