Today we are going to answer the question: Why is there light coming through my door? We’ll also talk about different types of weatherstripping and some pros and cons of different types.
At Loc-Doc Security, Our Mission is to help you protect your people and your property.
A customer of ours recently noticed light coming through their doors to their facility. They also noticed an influx of bugs, water leaking when it was raining, and drafts of cold air. After an inspection by a local health inspector, they recommended installing weatherstripping to keep pests, water, and air from entering.
Having loose gaps around your door will put your facility at risk. Ensuring you have a tight seal around the door opening will alleviate you of unwanted light, air leaks, water, and even pests from entering your building. Another benefit to adding weatherstripping is saving money! Did you know that having a tight seal around your door opening can make a major difference on your utility bills?
Air that leaks through doors wastes a lot of energy and raises your utility costs unnecessarily. By doing a visual inspection, you can quickly see where your money is drifting out the door! The EPA estimates that most commercial buildings wastes 30% of their energy. Imagine the savings you could achieve for your facility by reducing energy waste! Not sure where to start? Let’s dive into Weatherstripping!
What is Weatherstripping? Simply put, Weatherstrips are flexible materials that are installed on the door or around the opening. The purpose of weatherstripping, according to Wikipedia, is “to keep out weather, increase interior comfort, lower utility bills,[4] and reduce noise. “
Here’s a Quick Review of Door Problems and Solutions with Weatherstripping
Light Coming Through A Closed Door Seeing light and gaps around your door is a sign you might need to add weatherstripping or possibly replace old weatherstripping. Large gaps can allow heat or air conditioning to leak from your building and cause a dramatic increase in your energy bill. Water Leaks Have you noticed water seeping through your entrance? Or is their water pooling? This is a sign that weatherstripping needs to be replaced since it’s not doing it’s job. Having consistent exposure to moisture can lead to mold, or water related damage to your door.
Damaged Weatherstripping Do you have weatherstripping already but noticed that it’s cracked, torn, or compressed? This aging can cause problems and property damage with increased drafts and leaks.
Types of Weatherstripping There are many types of weatherstripping to choose from. The right type should provide the right amount of consistent compressions around your opening and a tight seal. This will protect your building from changes in the weather and increase the efficiency of your building saving your facility thousands of dollars.
Vinyl
Pros: Very tight seal that keeps out drafts and weather. Great for keeping out water.
Cons: Since it’s a flat strip, it’s Not effective on uneven surfaces.
Nylon Brush
Pros: Great for double doors. Eliminates air gaps and drafts. Works well with uneven surfaces.
Cons: Water resistant, not waterproof. If water pooling and leaks are already a problem, it will not solve completely.
Door Edge Strip
Pros: Good for double door storefronts. Different lengths available. Great at covering gaps.
Cons: Only applicable on storefront doors.
If you notice gaps, water leaks, drafts of air, or light coming through your facility doors we can help! Save your facility money by ensuring your energy isn’t leaking out of the door! Schedule a free evaluation with our team at locdoc.net/sales and pick a time that works for you!