How Much Does Weather Stripping Cost?
3 pros!
Weather stripping costs $130 to $762 on the high-end - this involves professional installation to intricate doors and windows. Typical stripping is a DIY project - a door can cost as low as $8 if inexpensive options are used.
Weather stripping is meant to prevent outside air, rain and water from entering a house, sealing leaks and gaps in moving components such as doors and windows.
Basic doors and windows are probably do-it-yourself projects. Installation of stripping on french doors, large front doors, intricate windows and other complicated entryways are typically performed by handyman services. An inspection might be necessary in order to detect leaks and access ventilation needs - there are companies that strictly perform energy efficiency audits.
Cost Factors
Do you know the number of windows and doors that need to be sealed? It's important to identify all the drafty windows and doors in a house. Sealing multiple doors and windows at once will be more cost-effective.
Weather stripping materials come in several types and designs. With a variety of options, it can be hard to determine which type of weather stripping is suitable. Remember to choose weather-stripping material based on the material and color of the door and windows. Cost versus durability is another consideration - you can go with inexpensive options, but they might wear down faster than other high-end weather stripping.
By consulting a professional, the burden of choice is shifted slightly to the expert. There are many types of materials including:
Tapes: these are an inexpensive way of sealing gaps and easy to use. They cost $7.87 per 10-foot roll. However, they have low durability and are highly visible.
V-strips: these are thin straps of metal preferred for the tops and sides of doors. They can be inexpensive costing $6.31 per 17-foot roll but are very difficult to install.
Door swaps: they are designed to fit on the bottom of a door to eliminate drafts. They can be used for interior and exterior door bottoms only costing $9.
Weather stripping cost also depends on length. Weather stripping needs to take into account the design of the windows and doors. For instance, French doors require contractors to strip around the jamb and areas where the doors meet. Floor sweeps will also help insulate a home from drafts.
Different areas of a home require different types of sealing depending on materials and the size of the gap. For instance, a door with a wide gap at its top edge will require more weather stripping than a window with a thin gap.
Don't Forget Labor Cost
Weather stripping labor costs average $153 for the whole process. Weather stripping materials are cheap making labor the more expensive aspect.
The most efficient way to determine what part of a house needs sealing is to have an energy-audit done. This is $150 charge typically, if not offered for free by your energy utility. An energy audit assesses all the ways a house is losing energy using thermal imaging to identify cold spots. Weather stripping can reduce energy bills by up to 20%.
Weather stripping is not an easy task and references and background checks of a contractor are important. No, we don't mean a professional investigation. Just be sure to read reviews and research all online resources. Angie's List members have been writing reviews in your area for decades - find local Handymen lists here.
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