A Beginner's Guide to Weatherstripping

Jan 21st, 2019

Do you know your weatherstripping?

What is weatherstripping? How does it work? How can it save you money and make your home more comfortable? These are not questions that we expect you to think about. That's our job

Simply put, weatherstripping is when you adhere strips of different material to seal air leaks in your home. Drafts are common in seams of windows and doors. Weatherstripping is most commonly used in these locations.

There are several different varieties to pick from though. We did some research for you, and hopefully, this can help you become a weatherstripping expert—or just learn what you need to make an informed decision.


V-Seal is probably the most common type of weatherstripping that is used within the home. It’s named after its "V" shape that makes it ideal for sealing corners in window and door frames. Typically made of vinyl or a plastic compound, the stripping folds into a V after you unroll it and has sticky-backing for easy application. V-Strip is also virtually invisible after installation, and it’s highly durable.


Inexpensive and less durable, felt is sort of the “old news” of the weather stripping community. It’s sold in rolls and can be installed stand-alone or with a metal strip for reinforcement. It’s useful in doorways where it is affixed or nailed to the door jamb. That way, when the door closes, it compresses the material and blocks out air. It's important to note that felt does not work well in high moisture conditions. Felt is known as the cheapest and one of the easiest options.

Door Sweep

Another easy-to-install weatherstripping option, door sweeps attach to the bottom of your door to eliminate the draft coming from underneath your door. Typically, their construction consists of a metal or plastic strip that you screw into the bottom of the door and a brush or piece of nylon that extends to the floor (the sweep).

Foam Tape

Foam Tape is sort of like felt except slightly more advanced. While the application is very similar, foam is higher quality than felt. It usually comes with an adhesive backing for easy installation. Also like felt, it’s one of the less durable options and should not be installed in high moisture areas.

Tubular Rubber

This more expensive type of weatherstripping is typically purchased as malleable sheets of rubber, vinyl, or silicone. It is most commonly attached to a plastic or metal plate that is then screwed into the door jamb, but there are peel-and-stick options as well. These are very effective air sealers, but can be difficult to install, even if you have the adhesive version.


We hope this blog helps you make an informed decision when you seal up your home from that cold winter or before summer. Remember, energy efficiency matters all year. Stay tuned on Facebook for this week’s #FilterEasyFix if you want to see how to install weatherstripping yourself.

Alec Lower

Alec Lower

Social Media and Content Specialist
