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How to measure · Seals
How to measure for weatherstripping (window & door seals)
Weatherstrip is the cheapest comfort upgrade there is — if you measure the gap and pick the right profile. Here's how, and why it's a once-a-year job.
Two measurements: the gap and the run
- The gap — how wide is the space the seal has to fill when the window/door is closed? A too-thin seal doesn't seal; too-thick and it won't close. Slide a coin or feeler in, or measure at a few points (gaps vary along the run).
- The run — the total length to seal (add up each edge). Buy a little extra for corners and offcuts.
Profiles — match to the gap and wear
- V-strip (tension seal) — thin springy V for double-hung window sides; low profile, durable.
- Foam tape — cheap, fills irregular gaps, compresses; wears out fastest (a 1-season fix).
- Bulb / D-profile — a hollow rubber tube for bigger, consistent gaps (door edges); long-lasting.
- Brush / pile — for sliding windows and doors where a bulb would drag.
Why it's a yearly replace
Seals take the daily open/close cycle plus sun and cold — they compress, harden and crack. Most weatherstrip is spent in 1–3 years. That's the rhythm this station is built for: measure your windows once, and we remind you when the seals are due, same profile, same lengths, one tap.
FAQ
How do I know what thickness of weatherstrip to buy?
Measure the gap it has to fill when closed. The seal should compress slightly to fill it — too thin won't seal, too thick stops the window closing. Measure at several points; gaps vary along the run.
How often should weatherstripping be replaced?
Every 1–3 years for most types — foam tape is the shortest-lived, bulb and V-strip last longer. Sun, cold and the daily open/close cycle harden and crack it, so it's a regular replace, not once-and-done.
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