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It’s often the little things that make a big difference. Take weather seal, for example. No one pays any attention to it until they notice chilly air shooting from the door or window, instead of the vents or ducts. This is a red flag that the seal needs to be replaced as its job is to form an air-tight barrier from conditioned air getting out of your house.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates air leaks from inside the house boost your energy bill by as much as 20 percent. That’s a lot of money to pay for heating or cooling the outside. To remedy this, take measures such as insulating your home and checking for drafts around the windows and doors.

Keep Comfortable Year-Round

Applying weather seal is an easy DIY task to tackle. And you’ll love the resulting energy savings you see on your utility bills. It’s essentially a process of removing the old, cleaning off the area, and applying new sealing material. When you follow the directions faithfully, you’ll get good results.

This is certainly worth the small amounts of time and money you put into such a project. And one reward is a comfortable and cozy home in the winter and refreshingly cool one in the summer.

Have you ever walked by a window and felt a blast of cold air that chilled you to the bone? It’s not that the window is open, but that the weather stripping is old and worn. 

If you look closely and can see the tatters from the old stripping, then it’s time to put on your DIY gloves and go to work.

First, you need quality window weather stripping from a well-established company. It only makes sense to buy a well-made product, not only to save energy but also to do justice to your hard work.

Here are some basic steps to replacing weather stripping:

• Look to see what type of weather strip your window uses. We offer a quality bulb weather strip that uses a kerf application.
• Remove the old stripping and clean up the area. The best weather stripping is quick and easy to apply and has features that keep the cold air out.
• Check to see the weather stripping is the correct replacement material and that it fits properly, so the window closes completely.
• Take care with the measurements. It makes sense to measure twice. This saves you from wasting product.
• Use the right tools, such as a sharp utility knife.
• Apply the weather stripping, pressing it firmly into place. This prevents the backing from sticking to the glass.

Window weather stripping is an effective solution to keeping your family comfortable during the winter and reducing the cost of your energy bills. Here’s to an easy and successful DIY project.

Installing a cedar screen door on your lake cabin, patio house, or 3 season porch could provide a lot of value for a low initial cost. If you invest in a good quality cedar screen door, you can expect it to last several decades. Consider these appealing benefits when deciding if you should install a cedar screen door:

Ventilation without the Bugs

Having a cedar screen door means you can open the front door and allow a nice cross breeze to enter without letting in irritating insects. Plus, if you have pets, the screen door prevents them from running outside.

Increase Home Value

Whether a cedar screen door adds a little to your home’s asking price when you sell it, or it simply boosts your home’s curb appeal, they are both an increase in property value. Many appealing versions come in colors and designs to match your home’s exterior.

Protect Your Front Door

A cedar screen door also protects the paint or prevents windows in your front door from being damaged by wind-blown debris.

If you’re contemplating getting window grids for your home, here are some considerations to help you make a decision. Like any architectural design, window grids have many strengths.

Grille Types and Patterns

There are several different types of grilles including wood, vinyl and aluminum but all have the same job, to give the window the appearance of many smaller panes. Grid light patterns can vary from diamond shapes to a regular square Colonial pattern and offer varying sizes of rectangles.

Window grids can be sandwiched between the panes of glass. Window grids made this way make for easier cleaning. Superficial (surface applied) grids are bars that are placed against the glass for visual effect but serve no other function.

Benefits of Window Grids

Replacement

If your window is damaged by breakage or seal failure and the grille is intact, the grille can be easily removed and reattached after the glass has been repaired. If the grille itself becomes old or damaged, a replacement grille is much less expensive to replace.

Aesthetics

Window grids are an excellent aesthetic option for traditional architectural styles and are effective for adding instant vintage charm to a home's look. Certain other styles are also compatible with modern architecture, particularly frames with very thin strips and a large glass-to-frame ratio. Regardless of grid design, these windows capture attention with their distinctive looks and add character to bleak views.

More people are looking for ways to keep warm and safe inside during the winter. While many people choose to replace their doors, this option can be too costly for many. The goal of door weather stripping is to keep snow, rain and insects out and prevent interior air from escaping. The result is a sealed door that can reduce your energy bill up to 15%. Additionally, this option helps reduce outside noise as well.

Getting the most out of door weather stripping means making sure to choose the right type. There are many styles and materials out there in the market, and it’s understandable not to know which one is for you. These are the main types of door weather stripping to keep in mind:

Metal Weatherstripping - This weather stripping can endure intense climates, including strong winds and harsh freezing temperatures. While it’s a tad more expensive, this option pays value for money.

Plain or Reinforced Felt Weatherstripping - This door weather stripping can be made out of cotton, polyester, or wool and has a metal strip for reinforcement. Although it typically lasts between one and two years, it is incredibly affordable and available everywhere.

V-Strips (tension seal or tension strips) - This door weather stripping is installed on the top and sides of doors and windows. You can install it quickly and easily by cutting the length you need with scissors. Its self-stick feature means you’ll need nothing else to fix it.

Foam Tape From EPDM Rubber or Closed-Cell Foam - EPDM is a long-lasting type of rubber that’s mainly used for roofs. Doors with EPDM rubber will have years of weather stripping and sound insulation. Foam weather stripping comes in many widths and thicknesses, making it perfect for uneven cracks and spaces.

Kerf Application Compression Weatherstripping - Many windows and doors use a Kerf type weatherstrip to help seal against the elements. A kerf is a groove that typically runs the full sides and top of entry door jambs and along the edge of a movable sash in a window. The Kerf Style weatherstrip is applied by inserting a short barbed fin into the groove and when the door or window is closed the weatherstripping is compressed creating a barrier against the elements