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| Applying Permanent Weather-stripping | Email a Friend
IMPORTANT: Read this before you start Feel that chilly draft coming through your doors and windows? It might not be as difficult or costly to solve as you might think! In older homes, your doors and windows are likely the largest source of wasted heating and cooling efficiency. You can significantly reduce your heating and cooling costs by effectively insulating the draft factor of your doors and windows. The cost to eliminate drafts from these sources is low, and the time spent depends, of course, on the number of windows and doors in your home. There are several material options available to eliminate the drafts, as you will see below, and the choices amount to your preferences and budget. |
Skill Level & Time To Complete • Beginner - 20 to 30 minutes per window • Intermediate - 15 to 20 minutes per window • Advanced - 10 to 15 minutes per window
1. | Double Hung Windows. Be sure to install and close your storm windows to guard against major drafts. This is your first line of defense against the outside elements. Use foam weather stripping on the underside of your bottom sash. Wipe the sash clean with a damp rag and allow to dry before adhering the foam. Be sure that the temperature is not below 50°F as the adhesive will not stick.
2. | Staple the inside edge of the strip so that it remains secure in your window. Be sure that the outside edge remains compressible so that drafts are eliminated.
3. | Some adhesive options are available that do not require stapling and are easier to use. You simply remove the adhesive backing and press the foam stripping into place.
4. | Use the Plastic V-channel strips to insulate the sash channels on your windows. Again, be sure to clean your window channel before removing the adhesive backing. Push the top end between your window and it's sash channel. Press along the insulating strip so that it sets properly into the channel.
5. | Be sure that the channels extend at least 2" beyond the top of your window sash when the window is closed as shown.
6. | To be sure that the channels remain in place, nail your plastic insulators to the channel with small finishing nails and your tack hammer.
7. | Be sure that you nail flush to the insulation so that the window will not snag with the nails.
8. | To seal the gap between the top and bottom sash, use a plastic adhesive V-channel on the top rail on your bottom sash. Be sure that your stripping opens towards the top of your window.
9. | Casement Windows. Casement windows are simpler to insulate with permanent weather stripping. Using a damp rag, wipe clean all four sides of the outside of the window stop.
10. | Use adhesive foam stripping on all four sides of the window stop. Be sure that the temperature is not below 50°F as the adhesive will not stick. After you have pressed the foam into place, go over the foam a second time with your finger so that you create a tight bond.
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Adhesive backed plastic V-channel Adhesive backed foam weather stripping Non-adhesive backed foam weather stripping Small finishing nails
Tack Hammer Staple Gun Damp Rags

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| Sunday, July 24, 2005 - Bill from Lexington, KY Tutorial Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 "I follow your instructions and everything worked out great. My project turned out wonderfully. I did have some trouble with step 3, but got around it by doing this...."
| Sunday, July 24, 2005 - Bill from Lexington, KY Tutorial Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 "I follow your instructions and everything worked out great. My project turned out wonderfully. I did have some trouble with step 3, but got around it by doing this...."
| Sunday, July 24, 2005 - Bill from Lexington, KY Tutorial Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 "I follow your instructions and everything worked out great. My project turned out wonderfully. I did have some trouble with step 3, but got around it by doing this...."

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Easy2DIY
| Installing Blown-In Insulation
| Exterior Caulking
| Applying Temporary Weatherstripping
| Window Basics

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