Weather Stripping

Rony

Hi there,

So I am in a new build flat, and recently I have discovered that the window doors that I have have a slight gap on the hinges side where I can feel a draught coming in especially when it is windy. I was a bit surprised as this is a new build, was kind of expecting it to be really well insulated.

EDIT: On further inspection, there actually is already some rubber stripping that is there to help insulate, but I guess it just isn't enough on a windy day.

I have some pictures attached.

Now I have just learnt what weather stripping is, and I am planning on getting some of the adhesive foam ones on amazon.

My questions are:

1) The gap is about 1cm thick, do I need to buy the exact width? A bit more, so that it squishes in tight? Or slightly less so that it does not obstruct door opening/closing movement?
2) Will the weather strip not mess with the hinges? EDIT, just looking behind it, the hinges seem to be much further out than the gap, so it is fine.
3) I'm hesitant that it will obstruct the way the door opens. How easy are they to remove if done incorrectly?

Many thanks,

ic

If the door's not pulling tight to the seals - it either needs adjusting or the seals may have perished.  Given you say its new build, I'd guess the door has just settled after installation and use, and requires adjustment (or was never adjusted in the first place).  There'll be various grub screws on the hinges and around the frame for making adjustments - so easy to do, or quick for a suitable tradesman to do.  If you've just bought this, get on to the builder and get them to come back and sort it out under warranty.  Don't go sticking horrible stick on foam all over your new expensive doors and windows!

Rony

ic said:

If the door's not pulling tight to the seals - it either needs adjusting or the seals may have perished.  Given you say its new build, I'd guess the door has just settled after installation and use, and requires adjustment (or was never adjusted in the first place).  There'll be various grub screws on the hinges and around the frame for making adjustments - so easy to do, or quick for a suitable tradesman to do.  If you've just bought this, get on to the builder and get them to come back and sort it out under warranty.  Don't go sticking horrible stick on foam all over your new expensive doors and windows!

Thanks for your reply.

The thing is, on a normal day, like even now when there is not too much wind, it is fine. I don't think the seal has perished from looking at it, it's just not super air tight.

The other day it was really windy and I can feel the draught quite heavily through the gaps, well not like a full on blizzard, but enough to give a chill and the floor around the door area is pretty cold.

I also live right next to station, and I know the weather strips also block out noise. When I press my ear to the gap, I can definitely hear that most of the sound comes from the gap. I know weather strips can also double as sound blockers, so wouldn't mind actually using it.

And regarding the aesthetics, it's like behind the door, so I can't really see it when closed right?

I just need to know what thickness ti buy. I'm thinking I'll just go with the exact width of the gap.

Thanks

ic

But is this air getting in all the way round, or just on one side?  The adjustment will be available on the door to move it up, down, left, right, in and out.  Look on youtube for door adjustment videos, there's thousands.

Jeepers_Creepers

New build? New doors? And they are draughty? And you are considering sticking on nasty foam strips?  Saints preserve us :-)

Get the bludy builder (who are they?) out to sort what should have been sorted before they sold it. If it turns out that the door hasn't actually been installed correctly - twisted frame, for example - then you really want them to sort it properly and permanently. 

Chances are it just needs tweaking, tho', but still their job if it hadn't been done originally. 

Yes, sound will find any tiny air gap to get through - classic indication of it not being sealed. 

Er, it isn't just a case of you not having shut the door properly - handle pulled firmly upwards and that sort of stuff?!

Rony

Jeepers_Creepers said:

New build? New doors? And they are draughty? And you are considering sticking on nasty foam strips?  Saints preserve us :-)

Get the bludy builder (who are they?) out to sort what should have been sorted before they sold it. If it turns out that the door hasn't actually been installed correctly - twisted frame, for example - then you really want them to sort it properly and permanently. 

Chances are it just needs tweaking, tho', but still their job if it hadn't been done originally. 

Yes, sound will find any tiny air gap to get through - classic indication of it not being sealed. 

Er, it isn't just a case of you not having shut the door properly - handle pulled firmly upwards and that sort of stuff?!

Is it really that nasty! 

Okay I will give the developer's care team an email then. The problem is that to be able to demonstrate the "draughts" they'd have to come on a windy day. Otherwise on a normal day you can't feel it.

I am looking at the rubber bit, and I don't know what much tweaking they can do, maybe I can try to take better close up picture of it tomorrow in the light again. Maybe it's a design fault, although I'm no expert so I could be wrong. Maybe I'd get them to come around anyways to have a look.

And no, I am definitely closing it properly! Key to lock it and everything,
Thanks

Jeepers_Creepers

If you can hear localised external noise at that gap, it means the rubber ain't sealing. If they are anything like pros, then they should identify that the door gaps aren't correct anyway.

It won't be the gasket itself that's adjusted, but the door hinges and/or locking mechanism. It should be able to shut and seal tightly - or else what's the point?!

Rony

Jeepers_Creepers said:

If you can hear localised external noise at that gap, it means the rubber ain't sealing. If they are anything like pros, then they should identify that the door gaps aren't correct anyway.

It won't be the gasket itself that's adjusted, but the door hinges and/or locking mechanism. It should be able to shut and seal tightly - or else what's the point?!

So I have emailed them and they have said they will contact Eurowindows to come have a look.

Before they come I have taken two photos to show how it is currently "sealed":

So from what I can see, this rubber bouncy bit is the "seal", so when the door is closed it presses up against the inner part of the door to form a "seal" in the next picture




So presumably it just isn't pressing against it hard enough which is letting sound and air through. So the rubber thing needs to be a bit bigger. 

So really is there really anything they can do? Doesn't it just look like a design flaw?

I want to know what to say when they come and inspect and they say "Yes, unfortunately this is how it i, this is just the design". 

Thanks,