Weather Stripping Double-Hung Windows
Rattling old double-hung windows are probably the single worst source of air infiltration in an old house. They're difficult to seal because they have so many movable surfaces. Here's a rundown about the easiest and most effective ways to seal them.

The best choice of weather stripping is V-shaped plastic (polypropylene) material. It's not as durable as the traditional spring metal, but it's much easier to install so you are more likely to do it. For less than $5 and a half-hour of work, you can completely weather strip a window. If you clean the jamb carefully so the adhesive has a fair surface to stick to, the material will last 2 to 5 years, depending on how often you open the window. Wash the jamb carefully, especially the recesses where the sashes ride, with a solution of TSP and water. Scrap away any loose paint and prime any bare wood before you install the weather stripping.

Begin by lowering the outer sash and measuring its height. Cut two strips of weather stripping about an inch longer than the sash. You install the V-strips close to the front of the window channel with the V pointing inside. Peel off the paper backing from the bottom of the strip, fold it flat, and push it down between the outer sash and the jamb. Pull the top of the strip up flush with the top of the jamb, then remove the backing paper and press it in place. Do the same on the other side.

Raise the inner sash up all the way and then push the outer sash up to expose the meeting rail. Cut a piece of V-strip the width of the rail. Install it with the V pointing up. You may want to staple the adhesive flange to the sash with a heavy-duty stapler for additional security since this part of the weather stripping takes a beating. Install another piece of weather stripping on the top of the outer sash with the V pointing in, then push the sash up to close it.

The inner sash is weather stripped in the same way. Cut the weather stripping slightly longer than the sash. It is also installed with the V facing in. Push the sash all the way up to expose as much of the inner sash as possible.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive doesn't allow you to slide the strips between the sash and jamb. To get around that problem try this trick. Take a piece of weather stripping and cut the backing paper about a foot down from the top of the strip. Peel the paper back working towards the top so it doubles back on itself. Then fold a couple of inches of the backing over the top of the strip. This lets you push the weather stripping up between the sash and jamb without the pressure-sensitive adhesive grabbing. Then peel the backing paper from the lower part of the strip after you have aligned it flush with the bottom of the jamb. Press the material in place with your fingers.

Repeat this process on the other side and then lower the sash and pull the paper backing off the weather stripping and stick it in place with your finger. Finish the job by applying a piece of weather stripping to the bottom of the inner sash.

Well-worn double hung windows: If the sashes and jambs of an old double hung window are worn and loose, then V-strip weather stripping is not very effective. The best method is to install flexible tubular vinyl weather stripping. This type of material is a bit unsightly, but it does stop most of the air filtering through the window.

To seal up the inner and outer sash, nail the material to the window and parting stops. Also install tubular vinyl weather stripping to the top and bottom of both sashes.

To seal the gap between the sashes raise the inner sash and lower the outer sash to expose the outer meeting rail. Tack a piece of weather stripping to the face of the outer lower rail. Close the window and check that the material makes contact with the top of the inside sash.


Written by the editors of HouseNet

Copyright HouseNet, Inc.

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