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INSULATION -
WEATHER-STRIPPING
WEATHER-STRIPPING:
THOUGHTS FROM THE BO’HOG - EVER SINCE THE RECENT
EMPHASIS ON STRUCTURES BEING BUTTONED UP TIGHT IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING
ENERGY, PREVENTING DRAFTS, AND SO ON, THERE HAVE BEEN THOSE OF US WHO
FELT A NAGGING UNEASE. THAT UNEASE IS PROVING JUSTIFIED BY THE
DEVELOPMENT OF TOXIC BUILDING SYNDROME, AND FOLKS’ HOMES MAKIN’ EM’
SICK. NOW THE EXPERTS ARE REFIGURING AND COMING TO THE CONCLUSION THAT
PROVIDING STRUCTURES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO BREATHE JUST A LITTLE MIGHT
BE COST EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT VERSUS THE MARGINAL
DECREASE IN ENERGY SAVINGS. FRESH AIR EXCHANGERS PROVIDE
ECONOMICALLY CONDITIONED FRESH AIR TO TIGHT HOMES.
PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO YOUR HOME, THE MAJOR ENERGY BANDITS ARE ATTIC
"BYPASSES", BIG-TIME AIR LEAKS AROUND PLUMBING PIPES,
LIGHT FIXTURES, ACCESS PANELS / DOORS, AND ELECTRICAL WIRING THAT PASS
THROUGH THE CEILING INTO THE ATTIC. CLOSE THESE "BYPASSES",
INSULATE YOUR ATTIC AND WALLS, AND FORGET THE TRIVIAL DETAILS WHERE YOUR
HOME HAS A CHANCE TO CATCH ITS’ BREATH.
LOCAL UTILITY COMPANIES SOMETIMES PROVIDE FREE "ENERGY
AUDITS" (IF NOT, THEY CAN HELP WITH FINDING A QUALIFIED
"ENERGY AUDITOR") WHICH REPORT WHAT ENERGY SAVING IMPROVEMENTS
WOULD BE GOOD WHILE MAKING SURE THE STRUCTURE / HOME HAS SUFFICIENT
FRESH AIR SUPPLY. AFTER "BUTTONING UP" A STRUCTURE /
HOME, MAKE CERTAIN COMBUSTION APPLIANCES ARE PROPERLY VENTED.
REPLACEMENT WEATHER-STRIPPING FOR SWINGING
DOORS
NOTE: MOST AIR LEAKS AROUND DOORS ARE DUE TO:
1- THE DOOR SAGGING.
2- LOOSE HINGES.
3. DOOR RUBBING AGAINST ITS FRAME OR SILL.
4- A LOOSE LATCH PLATE. CHECK FOR THESE PROBLEMS
BEFORE WEATHER-STRIPPING.
FACTORY INSTALLED WEATHER-STRIPPING IS USUALLY PRESSED INTO
CHANNELS IN WOOD FRAMES OR SLIPPED INTO CHANNELS IN ALUMINUM
/ VINYL FRAMES. REPLACEMENT WEATHER-STRIPPING CAN BE REINSTALLED THE
SAME WAY.
BASICALLY THERE ARE TWO FACTORY INSTALLATIONS:
1. LEAF AND TUBE SEAL - MOUNTED WITH A TONGUE PRESSED INTO A GROOVE
CUT IN THE DOOR FRAME. A RUBBER TUBE COMPRESSES AGAINST THE FACE OF
THE DOOR WITH AN OPPOSING RUBBER LEAF THAT ALSO COMPRESSES AGAINST THE
FACE OF THE DOOR.
2. FOAM FLAPPER SEAL - MOUNTED WITH A TONGUE PRESSED INTO A GROOVE
CUT IN THE DOOR FRAME. A "U" SHAPED PIECE OF URETHANE FOAM
SHEATHED IN PLASTIC IS COMPRESSED BY THE DOOR
FACE.
NOTE: WHEN REPLACING WEATHER-STRIPPING, IT’S BEST TO GO
BACK WITH AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE ORIGINAL. GOOD
HARDWARE STORE / SUPPLY HOUSE, FULL-SERVICE LUMBER YARD, DOOR OR
WINDOW DEALER, OF DOOR / WINDOW REPAIR SERVICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WEATHER-STRIPPING
IDENTICAL OR CLOSE TO IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL.
2 TYPES OF REPLACEMENT WEATHER-STRIPPING - SURFACE MOUNT & EDGE
MOUNT.
1. V-BRONZE - IS NAILED TO THE SIDE OF THE DOOR FRAME WHERE IT’S
COMPRESSED BY THE EDGE OF THE DOOR. WE LIKE IT BECAUSE - IT’S
FLEXIBLE / ADJUSTABLE, IT’S DURABLE, IT’S INCONSPICUOUS, IT DOESN’T
INTERFERE WITH DOOR OPERATION, BUT IT’S MORE DIFFICULT TO INSTALL
THAN SURFACE MOUNT TYPES & REQUIRES AT LEAST 1/16" OF SPACE
BETWEEN DOOR AND JAMB.
2. SURFACE MOUNT (FLEXIBLE TUBE TYPE) - MOUNTS ON THE DOOR
FRAME SO THAT IT’S COMPRESSED BY THE FACE OF THE DOOR. DOESN’T
INTERFERE WITH DOOR OPERATION. GET THE TYPE WITH THE SCREW
ADJUSTABLE FEATURE. THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL, "YOUR BEST
BET!!!" IN TERMS OF CONVENIENCE.
CAUTION: ALLOW FOR CLEARANCE AROUND DOORKNOB WHEN BUYING SURFACE
MOUNT WEATHER-STRIP.
3. FLEXIBLE FOAM - NOT A GOOD ALTERNATIVE. THIS TYPE IS SET ON THE
EDGE OF THE DOOR STOP WHERE IT CAN INTERFERE WITH THE DOOR’S
OPERATION. NOTE: FACTORY INSTALLED STOP MOUNTED WEATHERSTOP SHOULD BE
REPLACED IN KIND IF THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION IS HIGH QUALITY!!!
DOOR SWEEPS
1. MULTI-LEAF TYPE - FIT UNDER DOOR IN AN ADJUSTABLE FRAME
ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM SIDES OF THE DOOR & WORK BEST IF
HIGH PILE CARPET DOESN’T INTERFERE. REQUIRES DOOR REMOVAL FOR
INSTALLATION.
2. SURFACE-MOUNT TYPE - EASILY INSTALLED BUT MORE NOTICEABLE
THAN MULTI-LEAF UNIT. SOME TYPES DROP INTO PLACE AS DOOR CLOSES
SO CARPET IS NO PROBLEM.
CAUTION: CONVENTIONAL WISDOM AND COMMON SENSE HOLD THAT WEATHER-STRIPPING
MOUNTED IN A THRESHOLD IS GOIN’ TO WEAR OUT QUICK.
WINDOW WEATHER-STRIPPING
1. RELATIVELY NEW UNITS - REPLACE EXISTING.
2. OLDER DOUBLE HUNG UNITS -
A) RECAULK WHERE NECESSARY.
B) MAKE SURE TOP SASH IS SEATED TIGHTLY UP INTO FRAME.
C) MAKE SURE SASH LATCHES ARE REPOSITIONED / SHIMMED SO SASHES ARE
HELD TIGHTLY TOGETHER AND SEATED TIGHTLY AT
TOP AND BOTTOM OF WINDOW.
D) INSTALL PULLEY COVERS. ANDERSON PULLEY COVERS - (612)
827-1117
E) INSTALL PLASTIC "V-STRIP" ON TOP & BOTTOM EDGES
OF SASHES TO FILL GAPS.
F) SHRINK WRAP WINDOW INSULATION KITS WORK WELL.
WEATHER-STRIPPING MANUFACTURERS
MACKLANBURG-DUNCAN CO. - (800) 654-8454 - WEATHER-STRIPPING
PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN HARDWARE STORES / SUPPLY
HOUSES.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY - (410) 366-1146 - PRODUCES
MAIL ORDER, HIGH-GRADE WEATHER-STRIPPING. CALL FOR
CATALOG.
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