Weatherstripping Your Storm Windows

If you want to get the most life left out of your existing storm windows and maximize their efficiency for upcoming cold weather seasons, you may want to investigate weatherstripping them. Applying a tape or foam form of weatherstripping to all storm windows throughout the home is inexpensive and is a good way to help keep out storm window condensation. It can be a simple fix for older storm windows which allows you to enjoy greater performance from them.

There are other types of weatherstripping to suit all manner of storm windows. It is fine to install foam or tape weatherstripping to your wood, aluminum or vinyl windows. But, if you want, you could choose from weatherstripping made of metal or plastic. Metal forms of weatherstripping are also affordable and long-lasting. They may be especially suited to older homes because they do not disrupt the architectural appearance of the home as another type of stripping might.

The plastic forms of weatherstripping are often called v-channels because they are strips of plastic bent into a "v" shape. The plastic strip lies against the bottom of a window's sash creating added protection from drafts. These would be the types that might be less suited to an older home as they would be more visible. However, they would be just right for a vinyl make of window.

Choosing and Installing Weatherstripping

For the easiest and most inexpensive way to add insulation to your home, you can choose from the foam or tape forms of weatherstripping. There are basically two kinds of foam stripping. You can purchase the foam stripping with an adhesive backing or without an adhesive backing.

If you decide to purchase the kind without the adhesive backing, you may want to use a staple gun to secure it to the window. If you are choosing to use the plastic v-channel stripping you want to have tools on hand to cut them to a proper size. These plastic strips also have adhesive backing to them to make affixing them more secure.

The way in which you will add the stripping to your windows depends upon the types of windows they are. For a double-hung window, you would want to measure the foam or tape to fit the bottom of the sash. First, you want to clean the sash in order to make sure it allows for a secure fit for the weatherstrippng. You want to follow your window manufacturers guidelines for cleaning the windows, but using a sponge soaked in warm water should be enough to clean the bottom of the sash to prepare it for the stripping.

Measure the foam or tape and begin to secure it to the under portion of the sash. For adhesive backed foam, make sure the window has dried thoroughly after the cleaning you gave it. Then, simply peel the adhesive away and affix it to the bottom of the sash. For non-adhesive foam use your staple gun to secure the stripping to the window sash. If you have casement windows, you can simply affix the weatherstripping to each edge of the window on the bottom, side and top.

When using the plastic v-channel weatherstripping, you want to apply it to the length of the window. Also, you will want to affix it to the top sash. Even if the stripping has the adhesive backing it is a good idea to use nails to secure the weatherstripping to the windows. No matter which material you choose, weatherstripping your storm windows can be a very simple, affordable and long lasting way to get more life out of your windows and more comfort into your home.