Weatherstripping is used to seal openings in doors, windows and other applications from water and other elements. This process can block elements completely, or block most while returning or rerouting the rest. Weatherstripping also keeps interior air in, which saves energy from heating and cooling.

Types of Weatherstripping

There are several types of weatherstripping available, depending on the application, including: brush, pressure-sensitive foam, felt, spring metal strips and self-sticking spring metal, and tubular and foam-filled gasket.

Brush weatherstripping is commonly used for door seal applications including entry doors, aircraft hanger doors, overhead doors, rolling steel doors, and more. Brushes are often constructed of nylon, and are looped around a central wire and crimped into a steel channel where they’re trimmed to size. Brush weatherstripping may be cut as short as 1/4^th inch long up to 24 feet.

Pressure-sensitive foam is an inexpensive weatherstripping option. Foam weatherstripping is available in rubber or plastic compositions and backed with adhesive foam for easy application. In addition to sealing windows and doorways, foam weatherstripping also provides a cushioning effect that silences slamming. Pressure-sensitive felt weatherstripping is another option. Felt is available in a range of width, thicknesses, quality and color. Felt strips are also available without adhesive backing, but must be nailed in place.

Weatherstripping also includes spring metal strips and self-sticking spring metal varieties. Spring metal weatherstripping may be V-shaped or single construction and are available in bronze, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum. Self-sticking spring metal is similar to the strips, but has a peel-and-stick backing for easier installation.

Other types include tubular and foam-filled gasket weatherstripping. Tubular gasket weatherstripping is made from flexible vinyl. This type of weatherstripping is commonly applied outside as it easily accommodates uneven places and surfaces. Foam-filled gasket varieties include a foam core in the tubular gasket, which provides extra strength and insulating properties.

Automotive weatherstripping is similar in concept to window and door weatherstripping, but requires some extra considerations. Weatherstripping for automotive application needs to hold a seal when the vehicle is and is not moving. It also needs to endure a wide range of temperatures, keep out unwanted exterior noise, and stay in place despite continuous motion and bumps.

Automotive weatherstripping is commonly made from thylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and thermoplastic olefin (TPO). Sunroof weatherstripping can be done with silicone due to the extreme heat experienced by automobile roofs.