Sometimes, people replace the windows and doors of their houses in a bid to help them save energy and money.
However, they end up spending too much money doing this not knowing that there is a cheaper way that could not only save them money but also the historic integrity of their homes.
Weatherstripping is the way to go for homeowners who want to limit the flow of air through their closed doors and windows.
It also comes in handy when improving the performance of old doors and windows. Weatherstripping is quite cheap, simple, and homeowners do not need to hire someone to do the work for them.
However, do you know what to do to install weatherstripping for your house inexpensively?
Tips to Follow
The first thing to do when you want to weatherstrip your home is thinking about the materials that you are going to use.
It is important to shop for weatherstripping materials that match the color scheme of your home. Self-adhesive weatherstripping offers materials in different colors, is easy to install, and requires only scissors or a utility knife to cut to size.
Here are a few tips to follow when weatherstripping your house;
1. Door Sweeps
Did you know that having up to ⅛ inch gaps on the back and front of your door means that you are letting in a lot of air just like a person who leaves a small window open? Well, you can fix this problem through the use of door sweeps on the outside of your doors.
Door sweeps are affordable, compared to having to replace the entire door. In addition, you can do all the work on your own without hiring any person. It also takes a few minutes to get the work done.
If you would like to find out whether you need door sweeps or not, you can put a sheet of paper on the frame of the door and then close the door. If the paper falls or gets out without any problems, then it means that you need to install door sweeps.
2. Seal Cracks and Gaps With Caulk and Foam
Leaving cracks and gaps open on your doors and windows lets in a lot of air that might make a home uncomfortable.
Even though some people find it difficult to seal the cracks and gaps that might exist on the moving parts of doors and windows, it gets very easy and cheap when using caulk and foam, or either of them.
However, you will need to identify the sizes of the gaps and cracks to ensure that you are using the right type of weatherstripping. If the gaps are wider than ¼ inches, then make sure to use a foam sealant.
3. Use Plastic on the Interior of Storm Windows
If you have inefficient windows when it comes to energy-saving, then you can attest to the fact that your home is often too cold and you have spent a lot of money trying to keep it warm.
This is caused by drafts on the windows. However, you can get rid of this problem through the use of cheap and readily available plastic on the interior of your windows. When you go shopping for this plastic, look for window insulation kits, a name that is common with this plastic in the market.
Plastic is affordable compared to having to fully replace the windows. It is important to note that you need to start at the middle of your window frames when attaching the plastic to the interior of the window. This is also one of the ways of bringing an urban loft feel to your home.
4. Attic Door Insulation
Attic doors are popular in most homes, but they are poorly designed. This leads to a loss of energy throughout the year. This has brought a lot of stress to homeowners since it is expensive to replace the doors.
However, did you know that you can insulate the area that leads to air loss? In addition, did you know that just a tiny gap on the attic door leads to excessive loss of air, similar to leaving a small window open?
The attic tent is the best option for those that want to insulate their attic doors. This is because it is affordable, durable, versatile, and very easy to install. You can do this on your own without the help of any professional.
Contrary to what most homeowners might think, weatherstripping is one of the cheapest ways for them to ensure that their homes are warm all year round and cool when the climate is extremely hot.
This is because the materials used are readily available and they (homeowners) can do weatherstripping on their own.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
