HOME ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Weatherization Specification Manual

CAULKING WINDOWS AND DOORS

CA 1.0—Introduction

All caulk shall have a minimum 20-year-life rating. Caulk shall be paintable. Prior to applying caulk to window molding, the owner’s permission shall be obtained. No caulk shall be applied to the exterior siding of dwellings with aluminum or vinyl siding.

CA 1.1—Installing Caulk

Loose caulk and dirt shall be removed from the area to be caulked. The width of the gap to be caulked shall not be greater than ½ inch and preferably no greater than 3/8 inch. Joints wider than ½ inch shall be covered with a suitable trim. Gaps deeper than ½ inch shall be filled with polyurethane foam or backer rod or similar materials to support the caulk.

Caulk shall be applied in a workmanlike manner. Badly smeared caulk or caulk with gaps shall be redone.

WEATHERSTRIPPING DOORS

WE 1.0—General Requirements for Weatherstripping

The surface to which weatherstripping is applied shall be clean, even and free of defective weatherstripping, dirt and loose paint. Weatherstripping shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Surface-mounted weatherstripping shall be installed to ensure that the weatherstripping sufficiently contacts both surfaces and that gaps are adequately sealed. Weatherstripping shall be installed in one continuous strip, if possible, along each joint of the door.

All mounting screws, nails, staples or other fastener devices shall be of a non-corrosive material compatible with the weather-stripping material installed. Weather-stripping material shall be secured with mounting screws or nails. In no case shall fasteners be over 12 inches apart or more than 2 inches from a corner.

Upon completion of the job, all doors that have new weatherstripping shall open and close without undue force and provide a weather-resistant seal. All four sides of the door shall be weather stripped unless waived by Home Energy Solutions. Door latches and dead bolts shall work without undue force caused by the weatherstripping.

WE 1.1—Door Weather-Stripping—Types Allowed

1. Cold weather vinyl with rigid flange.
2. Interlocking metal.
3. Spring metal cushion.

Do not use foam adhesives, V-strip adhesive, or felt strips.

WE 1.2—Door Bottom Weather-Stripping—Types Allowed

1. Metal interlocking threshold.
2. Retractable closure.
3. Door-bottom mounted vinyl bulb with threshold.
4. Vinyl sweeps when used over wood or vinyl flooring.