First things first—what does weatherproofing actually mean? Simply put, weatherproofing refers to the process of making your home more resistant to inclement weather, such as rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. When you weatherproof your house, you make it more energy efficient by reducing energy waste. The more exterior weather changes impact your home’s interior temperature, the higher your energy usage will be as your heating and cooling systems work to compensate. Likewise, the greater your energy costs and energy bills will be.
Weatherproofing in Tulsa, OK is also essential for preventing wood rot. When your house is not properly sealed, water will infiltrate small cracks and crevices, causing water damage. When moisture comes in contact with wood, the wood becomes susceptible to developing rot. Repairing wood rot is a costly endeavor.
Our Tulsa Weatherproofing Services
If you need Tulsa weatherproofing, look no further than Mr. Handyman of Greater Tulsa. We’ve improved the energy efficiency of countless homes and commercial buildings in the Tulsa area using a wide variety of cutting-edge weatherproofing techniques, and we can do the same for you!
When our customers first reach out to us about our Tulsa weatherproofing service, they either have a specific area of their property in mind, or they simply want us to use our expert knowledge to identify the areas that require weatherproofing for them. There is rarely a single building in Tulsa that can’t benefit from weatherproofing. Some areas that may need particular attention include:
- Attics: If your attic isn’t insulated enough, you could be experiencing drafts and uneven temperatures from room to room.
- Crawl space and basement: Evidence of pests in your crawlspace or basement is an indication that some cracks and crevices are providing pathways for them to get in. Flooring that regularly feels warmer or cooler than the rest of the room is also evidence that this area may need weatherproofing.
- Doors and windows: Air can easily leak through spaces around your windows and entryways. Of course, air exchange will occur when you open and close these fixtures, but if air movement is occurring even when they’re shut, you have a problem.
- Walls: Wall cavities are generally filled with insulation, but electrical outlets, fireplaces, and vents may all provide spaces for unwanted air exchange.
For each of these locations, there are different weatherproofing materials and equipment that are most suitable. With such a wide range of possibilities, many homeowners find choosing the right option challenging. Our handyman experts can help you choose the best solution. The main categories of materials used include weatherstripping, caulking, and insulation.
Weatherstripping
It’s common for buildings to have air conditioning in Tulsa. Weatherproofing helps to ensure that your cool air stays inside of your home where you need it. One of the main ways that conditioned air escapes is through drafty windows and entryways.
Weatherstripping is a type of weatherproofing that prevents air from leaking around moveable components, such as windows and entryways. To determine the right type of weatherstripping for your house, you need to consider how much use the area gets, how expensive the product is, and how effective it is.
The most popular types of weatherstripping and their common uses are as follows:
- Tape: Felt and foam tape comes in rolls that may be easily cut with scissors to the right dimensions. This product is typically applied to door and window stops and frames. When the window or door is closed, the felt or foam is compressed, thereby creating a seal. Though tapes are inexpensive, they also wear down fairly quickly and become ineffective. They’re therefore best suited to entryways and windows that aren’t often used.
- Tension seal: Also called V-seals, tension seals are generally made out of vinyl or metal and are shaped like the letter V. When closed, the two sides of the V shape are compressed. Though these are trickier to install than tape, they are also more durable and more effective. Tension seals are typically used within the tracks of sliding windows, as well as along the sides and tops of doors.
- Gasket: Made of vinyl or rubber, this type of weatherstripping is applied to the bottom of doors.
- Door sweep: Like gaskets, door sweeps are applied to the bottom of doors that swing outwards and inwards. They’re typically made of a metal like stainless steel or aluminum with a brush attachment similar to a broom (hence the name door ‘sweep’). Though more costly, sweeps are generally more durable and effective than gaskets.
- Fin seal: This specialized type of weather stripping is used on sliding windows and glass doors with aluminum frames. It has a fuzzy appearance, similar to a pile rug.
Still not sure which kind of weather stripping is right for you? Our handyman team will gladly make some recommendations for you and expertly install it once it arrives.
Caulking
Whereas weather stripping is a great tool for weatherproofing moveable components of windows and entryways, caulking is generally the way to go for sealing gaps and cracks around stationary components throughout your house. It’s best suited to very small crevices—anything wider than a quarter inch will need to be sealed with a different material such as spray foam.
Caulking has both functional and decorative purposes. For example, after installing board-and-batten paneling in your living room, you may wish to add caulk to the joints between boards for a seamless finish. When caulking is applied to areas of your house that mark a divide between the interior and exterior, such as window frames and door frames, it results in weatherproofing. For best results, caulk should be applied to both the interior and exterior of your house.
Though not nearly as complicated and confusing as weatherstripping, our service professionals will use their knowledge and expertise to decide between a few different types of caulk and silicone compounds:
- Acrylic latex caulk: Best for use on wood and drywall, making this product ideal for indoor use. It typically lasts about a decade before needing replacement.
- Silicone sealant: Extremely durable and highly water-resistant, silicone is the best choice for windows and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- Butyl rubber caulk: The most durable of all, butyl rubber is great for exterior areas that are subject to the most extreme ravages of Oklahoma weather.
- Polyurethane caulk: Larger cracks resulting from house shifting or other damage on your house's exterior may be filled with polyurethane.
Insulation
Using weatherstripping and caulk for weatherproofing in Tulsa, OK is the most effective when your attic insulation and other insulation is up to par, too. Over time, insulation becomes compressed and loses its effectiveness. If you already have existing batt insulation in your home’s attic or crawlspace, we can top it up with blown-in cellulose insulation.
Both cellulose and fiberglass insulation are great choices for Tulsa insulation installation, so whichever you choose, you can effectively get your insulation levels up enough to keep your house's interior temperature more stable.
In addition to these classic types of insulation products, spray foam can also be used to seal large gaps where air may be leaking. Spray foam is considerably more expensive than cellulose and fiberglass, but you also need much less to achieve the same insulation effects. Any gap larger than that which caulking can effectively seal may instead be sealed with spray foam.
