When it comes to keeping your home warm and your energy bills low, weatherstripping is hard to beat. It’s one of the easiest and cheapest upgrades you can make to block all the gaps around doors and windows that let air move in and out of your home.
In winter, that means stopping cold drafts. In summer, it means stopping cooled air from escaping. And all year long, it adds up to lower utility bills.
The key to doing it right is choosing the right weatherstripping for the job. Different materials are designed for different locations, gaps, and movement levels. In this post, we break down the four common types of weatherseal—V Seal, Felt, Rubber Foam, and Poly Foam—and when to use each one.
Why You Need Weatherstripping in the First Place
Before diving into product types, it helps to understand exactly what weatherstripping is, and what it does. Weatherstripping is a flexible material that fills gaps, blocks drafts, and stops moisture around doors and windows. Over time, the material breaks down and needs to be replaced — but not all weatherstripping is the same. Some areas need weatherstripping that can accommodate frequent movement, while others need a tighter, more durable seal. Most weatherstripping has an adhesive back, but there are some types that need to be nailed or tacked in place.
Choosing the right material makes all the difference. Read on to learn what the different kinds of weatherstripping are and what’s the best pick for each use.
Felt Weatherstrip
Best for: Low-traffic doors, attic hatches, and temporary fixes
For areas that get light use, our felt weatherstripping checks all the boxes: It’s budget friendly, easy to install, and easily fills irregular spaces. Made from compressed fibers and backed with adhesive, felt weatherstripping can be applied around door frames and window sashes to block airflow. While it’s not as durable as other types of weatherstripping, it’s a practical, economical choice for spaces that don’t see heavy daily use, like basement doors, attic access panels, or interior garage entry doors.
Poly Foam Weatherstrip
Best for: Windows, door frames, and varied gap sizes
When you need weatherstripping that’s more substantial than felt, reach for our poly foam weatherstripping. This highly compressible self-stick tape squeezes down to fill even very narrow gaps, making it great choice for sealing areas where gap sizes vary.
Rubber Foam Weatherstrip
Best for: Exterior doors, high-traffic areas, and larger gaps
Durable, flexible, and designed to withstand repeated compression, our rubber foam weatherstripping is the product to choose if you’re sealing exterior entry doors that open and close multiple times a day. The rubber material rebounds after being compressed so it maintains a tight seal without flattening. It’s resistant to moisture and can stand up to the elements: Frost King makes a premium rubber foam that won't harden, crack, or freeze, even at 40 degrees below zero.
V-Seal Weatherstrip
Best for: Areas with lots of movement, like double-hung windows, sliding windows, and the sides of doors
If you’ve noticed cold air sneaking in around window tracks or along the latch side of the door,our V-seal weatherstripping is your best solution. This type of weatherstripping is a thin, flexible strip of plastic formed into a “V” shape that compresses to completely fill gaps and block airflow around doors and windows. V-seal works especially well on double-hung windows where the top and bottom sashes slide past each other. It’s also effective along the vertical sides of entry doors, where the consistent compression of the “V” creates a secure seal.
To install, just measure the length you need and cut the strip to size, then peel off the adhesive backing and press it into place inside the frame. We manufacture our V-seal with a quick bonding adhesive so you can apply it even in subzero temperatures. Once in place, it provides a clean, nearly invisible barrier against drafts.
Mind the Small Gaps, Too
Once you’ve made sure your doors and windows are tightly sealed, there’s still another spot you need to pay attention to. Electrical outlets and light switches on exterior walls are common sources of drafts. Our foam outlet and switch sealers are thin layers of foam that slip behind cover plates to create a barrier that reduces airflow through the electrical box. If you’ve ever felt a whisper of cold air when standing near an outlet on an outside wall, this small fix can make a noticeable difference.
