Weatherstripping can be defined as the process of ensuring that openings on trunks, windows, and doors are sealed to block the escape and entry of air and other elements. The term is also often used when referring to the materials used for the process.
Pile weatherstripping, on the other hand, is used when providing sealing on storm windows and doors. It is gaining a lot of popularity because it can be trimmed to different lengths to meet different requirements in different homes.
Different types of pile weatherstripping can be used to make your home winter-ready and prevent the loss of regulated air. The most common one is wool pile weatherstripping. It is made up of atactic polypropylene that comes with fiber with silicone and film synthesis.
It also comes with a unique design that can be applied to vacuum cleaners, furniture, windows, and doors. This is one of the characteristics that make wool pile weatherstripping the best type of weatherstripping for high-quality products.
What Does Pile Weatherstripping Do?
Pile weatherstripping plays a very crucial role when it comes to energy saving, airtightness, as well as water-tightness in plastic and steel windows and doors.
The sealing strip used in pile weatherstripping serves different requirements and functions but in all of them, it comes with aging resistance, good elasticity, tensile length, and good temperature resistance. These are features that are very important for good weatherstripping in homes.
In addition, the cross-section of the sealing strip comes in a structural size that matches the different requirements of the plastic and steel doors and windows.
The wooden types of strips are used when sealing the spaces between fans and frames. They are used on the sealing bridge, on the frame fan, and in the sash of windows.
The main purpose of weatherstripping is to make sure that homes are warm during the cold season or cool during summer when the weather is very hot. This makes sure that homes are comfortable.
Choosing Pile Weatherstripping
One of the most challenging things for homeowners is to make sure that they have chosen the right pile weatherstripping for their homes.
This is because the size and specification are among the factors that have an impact on the performance of sliding windows and doors, the closing and opening force of the windows and doors, and their water tightness.
If you choose a wool pile whose height is big or high, it gets quite difficult for one to assemble and increases the moving resistance of windows and doors. This can be seen in the resistance experienced when closing and opening the windows and doors.
On the other hand, choosing small specifications or piles with reduced height brings a lot of complications when weatherstripping your windows and doors. To start with, it reduces the performance of the window and door sealing.
It, therefore, means that you need to be careful when choosing pile weatherstripping for your homes. You need to look at the size of the pile and make sure that it meets the requirements of your windows and doors.
You also need to make sure that the wool pile is silicified and its quality is good. The vertical and bottom hair should be smooth with no bends and pitting on the bottom. These are the most important things to look at when choosing the right pile weatherstripping.
Types of Pile Weatherstrips
There are different types of weatherstripping. The most common types when it comes to pile weatherstrips include;
Silicone and Non-silicone Pile Weatherstrips
Pile weatherstrips are manufactured differently with the sealing strips categorized into two – silicone and non-silicone pile weatherstrips. The silicone pile weatherstrips are made using polypropylene fiber that is treated using silicone oil.
This strip is known for its ability to improve the performance of windows and doors when it comes to waterproofing.
It also has improved lodging resistance, flexibility, and aging resistance. The silicone pile weatherstrip is recommended for use compared to its non-silicone counterpart by different industry regulatory bodies.
Adhesive and Non-adhesive Pile Weatherstrips
These types of pile weatherstrips are mostly used on free or sliding doors and windows. They are also referred to as groove weatherstrips.
The groove weatherstrips are inserted at the door edge seal or bottom of the window or door. It seals material for the silicone pile weather strips discussed above.
They come with a barbed part that is inserted into the groove to ensure that airflow is completely blocked and any loss of heat from the home is prevented.
Fin Pile Weatherstrips
Fin pile weatherstrips are also common in pile weatherstripping and are generally categorized into two – intermediate sandwich and ordinary type fin pile weatherstrips.
The intermediate sandwich fin weatherstrips use a non-woven fabric with silicone or a polyethylene film in the middle to ensure that airflow is completely isolated.
The ordinary type fin pile weatherstrips are not commonly used and are not as effective as their counterparts especially when it comes to the escape of air.
When to Replace Pile Weatherstripping
Different people might have different reasons for replacing their pile weatherstripping. However, you need to replace it when;
- You are getting increasing energy bills without any additional usage.
- You notice the existence of a draft under your windows and doors. You can check for a draft in your home by moving closer to the windows or doors.
- If you have a thermostat in your home try changing the temperature and feel if there is any difference in the house. If there is not, then you need to replace your pile weatherstripping.
- You notice that there is a lot of moisture near your home insulation points or on the walls of the house.
How to Replace Pile Weatherstripping
Sealing the Bottom of a Window
To seal the bottom of a window, you need to cut strips of silicone or self-stick vinyl weatherstrips to match the size of your window sash. After that, you can apply one of the strips on the bottom of the lower sash.
Finally, close the window and apply another strip on the top of the window as well.
Weatherstripping a Sliding Door
If you have sliding doors in your home, you need to make sure that pile weatherstripping goes to both sides of your doors. With proper installation, you will have the weatherstrips brushing against the doors. It does not affect the movement of the door.
Conclusion
When replacing your pile weatherstripping, you need to make sure that you have determined the length of all the areas that you want to seal.
This helps when determining the weatherstripping length that you need. This is because weatherstripping materials come in different thicknesses and widths to meet the different needs of homeowners.
