Weatherstripping and Radiant Barrier Insulation can help you stay warm and save money this winter

WeatherstrippingDrafts and radiant cold entering your home or apartment during the winter months can cause discomfort and cost you money.

So being prepared, and sealing your home with weatherstripping can make you feel more comfortable, and help you save money on utility bills.

The Department of Energy estimates that inadequate insulation in the floors, walls or ceilings amounts to nearly one-third of air leakage, while ducts, fireplaces and plumbing add up to nearly 45%. Leakage from doors and windows amount to 10% each.

There are two types of cold that can enter your home, cause discomfort, and cost you money: (1) Drafts ~If you can can feel cold air coming in around doors and windows on a windy way, and (2) Radiant Cold~This is the type of cold that comes through windows.

The Back Bay Guide to Weatherstripping

Fixing Drafts 

The nature of the draft will dictate the necessary fix.

Types of Weatherstripping Materials:

  1. Foam Rubber Tape. A good choice of widths and thickness’. Make sure the surface of application is clean and dry, or the tape will not stick. It is effectual and will last up to 5 years. The installation is easy just measure, cut, peel, and stick. Used on windows top and bottom, and door frames top and sides however do not use where surfaces work against each other. Tools: knife, shears and tape measure.
  2. Vinyl Plastic or Mylar. This is installed flat then is bent into a V shape, with the open end of the V to the outside to the inward opening doors. This works like the “spring metal.” It works well and will last up to 20 years. This is simple installation, with peeling and sticking after measuring. This is used on doorframe top and sides. You will need tools including, knife, shears, tape measure.
  3. Metal stripping. This seals by spring tension and it is almost invisible. It is very effective and will last up to 20 years. It takes some skill to install, you will need to measure cut and nail, and most will be capable. This is used on most window channels and door frames tops and side. Use snips, tape measure, hammer, and nails.
  4. Felt strips. These are limited in usage. Use only for narrow and even spaces. Will not tolerate friction. They should not be wet, and you can not paint over them. Easy installation, measure cut and staple. Will last up to 2 years with care. Used in windows made of wood for top and bottom and door frames top and sides. Tools: staple gun, tape measure, and hammer and nails.
  5. Foam-filled Vinyl Tube. Unattractive in some areas, however the strong flange is durable. You do not want to paint the tube gasket. It is highly effectual and will last up to 10 years. Easy to install, measure, cut and nail. This product is used on window frames and door frames top and sides. Tools: knife, shears, staple gun, tape measure, hammer and nails.

Radiant Cold 

You’ll want to determined where the radiant cold is coming from: through the floors, walls, ceilings or windows, or through the ducts, fireplaces and and/or plumbing. Radiant barrier insulation reflects heat, which always goes by by natural law – the problem is how to keep the heat inside in the winter, and how to keep it out in the summer.

Types of Radiant Barrier Insulation:

  1. Single-sided foil.  Usually comes with another material backing such as kraft paper or polypropylene. Some products are further strengthened by fiber webbing sandwiched between foil and backing. The strength of the backing material is important since unreinforced foil tears very easily.
  2. Foil-faced roof sheathing materials that come from the manufacturer with a foil facing adheared to one side of the sheathing.
  3. Double-sided foil with reinforcement between the foil layers. Reinforcement may be cardboard, kraft paper, mylar or fiber webbing.
  4. Foil-faced insulation. The insulating material may be polyisocyanurate, polyethelene “air-bubble” packing or other materials that impede heat conduction. Multilayered foil systems. When fully extended and installed so that the foil layers do not touch, these products also form insulating airspaces.
  5. Radiant barrier “chips” are also manufactured and sold. This product is slightly different than a conventional sheet-type radiant barrier in that the “chips”, which are blown onto the floor of the attic — typically to a depth of 3 or more inches, act as a multi-layer product with many “traped” air pockets. These air pockets cause this product to function somewhat like traditional, fibrous insulation products.

Sealing your home with tight-fitting weatherstripping, and adding radiant barrier and insulation can make you feel warm all winter long.  You’ll also enjoy the lower utility bills.  If installed correctly, weatherstripping can reduce your heating bills by 20 percent or more.

If you need help choosing the type of weatherstripping that’s best for you please contact us today.

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Filed under: Handy Hardware Tips

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