Whether it’s summer outside and you have your air conditioner on full blast, or it’s winter and your heater is making the indoors nice and toasty, you’ll want to make sure the interior of your home stays at the right temperature. Proper insulation ensures that not only does this happen, but that you don’t lose any money. When dealing with poor insulation, hot/cold air can seep through cracks and cause your air conditioner or heater to work longer in order to meet your demands. This can lead to higher bills, something all of us would much rather live without.
This is precisely where sills, sweeps, and weather strips come into the picture. Each of them can play an important part in keeping your home perfectly cooled or warmed. Learn about each one before making a final choice so you know what will work for your doors and for your home.
A sill is a wooden ramp or walkway that is located at the bottom of the door. You may soon discover that sills are included with exterior doors almost every time in order to help with proper insulation. This keeps the outside environment from coming in, and vice versa. In the past, sills were stationary and could not move. Now, however, new concepts mean that you can find adjustable sills to suit your needs. These adjustable thresholds can be made of wood or aluminum. Some sills may be lower than others in order to accommodate for anyone who requires access via wheels or rollers.
A sweep is a much simpler form of insulation and can be seen on many doors. It is simply a rubber or vinyl flap that is attached to the bottom of the door. Sometimes there is only one sweep and sometimes there are a series of them for increased protection. These are most common with exterior doors as well. If you’ve ever heard a swish as you open someone’s door, chances are there was a sweep down there doing its job.
Weathers-stripping is also an excellent way to keep houses at the right temperature and ensuring that the outdoors does not creep in. Typically, weather strips are made with strong foam rubber that is placed at the side and top edges of the door for a more secure seal on exterior doors.
Depending upon the type of door you are considering, some may even come with one of these three types. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the supplier in order to make the best choice for yourself and your home.