How to Choose the Right Weatherstripping For a Sliding Glass Door
A sliding glass door can be a functional and attractive addition to your home. It lets in lots of natural light and can give you easy access to your outside porch, deck or patio. However, sliding glass doors require regular and careful maintenance, or the energy efficiency of your home could be greatly decreased. To ensure your home does not suffer from increased energy loss, take time to choose the right weatherstripping for your sliding glass door. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Research your options. Weatherstripping can be made of several different types of materials, including rubber, foam, plastic or bent metal. Metal weatherstripping can be very durable, but it conducts more heat than other materials. Plastic weatherstripping is not as durable, but it is much less expensive than metal. Foam and rubber weatherstripping tend to be easier to replace, and their flexible nature helps them last.
-
2
Measure your sliding glass door to determine how much weatherstripping you will need. Add 5 percent to 10 percent to your measurement because you will likely have waste during the installation process.
-
-
3
Utilize felt weatherstripping. Felt is a supplemental weatherstripping that can be used to seal up any leaks left by other weatherstripping options. This gives you a tighter seal around your sliding glass door to make it more energy efficient.
-
4
Test your weatherstripping. The sliding glass door should still easily slide closed once the weatherstripping is installed, but it should be tight enough that the weatherstripping has minimal potential air leaks. Sliding glass doors will inevitably have some leaks, but the weatherstripping you choose can make sure you don't have more than you need to.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Recheck the weatherstripping on your sliding glass door at least once a year.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
