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Air-seal exterior doors to minimize air leakage.

Air-seal exterior doors to minimize air leakage.

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Air Sealing Window and Door Rough Openings

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal the rough openings around doors and windows.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Wrong – Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier and cannot be used to air-seal openings.

Wrong – Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier and cannot be used to air-seal openings.

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Air-seal the rough opening around doors and windows to minimize air leakage.

Air-seal the rough opening around doors and windows to minimize air leakage.

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Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal attic access panels, doors, and stairs to provide a continuous air barrier at the ceiling.

Wrong – The rough opening around window is not air sealed.

Wrong – The rough opening around window is not air sealed.

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Air seal door and window rough openings with backer rod, caulk, or nonexpanding foam

Air seal door and window rough openings with backer rod, caulk, or nonexpanding foam

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Closed-cell backer rod is installed for air-sealing window and door rough openings.

Closed-cell backer rod is installed for air-sealing window and door rough openings.

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Right – The rough opening around window has been filled with backer-rod to air seal.

Right – The rough opening around window has been filled with backer-rod to air seal.

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Right – The rough opening around the window has been filled with low-expansion foam to air seal.

Right – The rough opening around the window has been filled with low-expansion foam to air seal.

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Right – Backer-rod is a foam product available in various diameters that can be used to air-seal openings around doors and windows.

Right – Backer-rod is a foam product available in various diameters that can be used to air-seal openings around doors and windows.

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Retrofit Improvements - Improve Window & Door Flashing/Sealing

Reference

Fact sheet describing methods for flashing and air-sealing windows and doors.

Caulk applied against the backer rod to seal a window rough opening

Caulk applied against the backer rod to seal a window rough opening

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Wrong – The blower door is installed improperly with a gap at the corner and along the side of the frame that will allow air leakage and could allow the frame apparatus to become dislodged during testing

Wrong – The blower door is installed improperly with a gap at the corner and along the side of the frame that will allow air leakage and could allow the frame apparatus to become dislodged during testing

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Install an ENERGY STAR labeled insulated door with an automatic closer. Weather strip the door frame

Install an ENERGY STAR labeled insulated door with an automatic closer. Weather strip the door frame

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Application of window and door nonexpanding foam sealant

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Right – Weatherstripping has been installed and remains in contact when the door is closed.

Right – Weatherstripping has been installed and remains in contact when the door is closed.

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Wrong – There is visible light around the door because no weather stripping has been installed.

Wrong – There is visible light around the door because no weather stripping has been installed.

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