There are numerous products for weatherstripping around windows and doors. They can be classified into two groups: self-stick tapes and nail-on strips. Self-stick tapes are rubber, foam, or vinyl, backed with an adhesive that is covered with a peel-off backing. These materials are a good choice for metal or vinyl windows where nailing isn't an option, especially where the parts of doors or windows press together rather than slide against one another. Self-stick tapes can easily be cut with scissors and put on in minutes. The highest quality and longest lasting of the self-stick tapes is EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer) rubber. EPDM retains its elasticity and insulating qualities even after years of exposure to sub-zero temperatures. Another good choice is high-density foam, which is also durable and long lasting.Closed-cell foam is waterproof, weather resistant and inexpensive but it does break down and will need to be replaced regularly. Open-cell foam can be compressed the most to seal even the narrowest of gaps, but it is only for indoor use, as it quickly degrades when exposed to the elements. Vinyl V-strips are a substitute for spring bronze; they are extremely easy to install but also wear out quickly.
Nail-on strips are the best choice for wood windows as they don't rely on adhesive and thus tend to stay in place over time. The type of nail-on strip you choose will depend on the gaps you need to seal. Gaps less than 1/4 inch wide and relatively consistent in width are best sealed with spring bronze--a metal flange that is nailed in place and then "sprung" open to close the gap. This material is especially well suited for filling the gaps between a window sash and its jambs.
A vinyl tubular gasket works well where the gaps are large or inconsistent in width. This product is rubber tubing with a flange for nailing. The flange is often reinforced with metal to prevent the soft vinyl from tearing.
Felt weatherstripping is also available but it is only suitable for indoor use, since it rots quickly when it gets wet.
Other Weatherstripping Options
There are some instances in which you can't or won't want to use spring bronze to seal a double-hung window. If the window is made of metal or vinyl, nailing isn't an option, so you'll need to use self-stick products. When gaps at the top or bottom of the window are large or uneven, self-stick foam will seal better than spring bronze. Finally, on windows where the gap between the sash and the jamb is too tight for spring bronze, tubular vinyl is an adequate substitute.
More Weatherstripping Options:
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