How to Measure for Weather Stripping

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With home heating and cooling costs rising, it is important to make sure that your home is as energy efficient as possible. Drafty doors and windows are a major source of energy loss, creating a need for increased use of home heating and cooling units. However, installing weather stripping around all types of drafty windows and doors is an easy way to help make these areas more energy efficient. Weather stripping can be bought by measured increments or in a kit, and there are many types available to fit every type of crack and crevice. However, measuring it for specific areas is the first step to ensure a perfect fit. Learning how to measure for weather stripping is easy and will save time when you are ready to install it.

Steps

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    Measure the depth of the crack or crevice, too.
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    Measure the area twice to make sure that you are accurate and write the measurements down for when you shop for weather stripping.
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    • Determine which type of weather stripping will work best for your specific needs.
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    It comes in strips, sheets and tubing. The best type to use depends on the location, the condition of the window or door and the size of the crack or crevice.
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    • Test the weather stripping to see if it fits in the area around the door or window.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can you remove old weatherstripping?
    Jacob Pischer
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Jacob Pischer is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Helpful Badger, a home repair service in Portland, OR. With over four years of experience, Jacob specializes in a variety of handyman services including pressure washing, cleaning gutters, repairing drywall, fixing leaky plumbing fixtures, and repairing broken doors. Jacob studied at Madison Area Technical College and has a background in real estate investment.
    Jacob Pischer
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Expert Answer
    I like to use a putty knife to take off the old weatherstripping and ensure that I get all of the tape and the little pieces off, sometimes they are glued in.
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      Tips

      • When learning how to measure for weather stripping, do not hesitate to ask the staff at your local home improvement store for help if you have any questions.
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      • When measuring weather stripping, remember that it is better if it is too long than if you cut it too short. If it doesn't fit when you install it, you can always trim it to fit.
        Thanks
      • Because it is flexible, a tape measure is easier to use than a ruler to measure for weather stripping. You can easily take a tape measure around angles and corners.
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      Warnings

      • If you cut a piece of weather stripping too short to fit the area of installation, start over with a new piece. If you try to put several pieces together, they will not be as efficient as properly measured weather stripping.
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      • Do not cut your weather stripping to fit until you have checked the accuracy of your measurements. This will help you avoid cutting it too short.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Weather stripping
      • Tape measure
      • Scissors or metal snips

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