You may have come across the term Kerf while wandering through the aisles of your local hardware store. Kerf weatherstripping refers to a type of weather strip that is installed in a door kerf, which is a  groove or slot in the door frame or jamb designed to accommodate the weatherstripping material.

Typically, Kerf weatherstripping  is made of flexible material such as foam or rubber. It is designed to be installed around the perimeter of the door frame so that it creates a tight seal when the door is closed. The goal is to  improve energy efficiency and comfort by keeping  out air drafts, water, dust and noise.

To install kerf weatherstripping, first remove any existing weatherstripping that you want to replace. The new material is then inserted into the door kerf, where it is held in place by friction.

Kerf weatherstripping is commonly used in interior and exterior doors in residential and commercial buildings. It is available in various profiles, colors and sizes to suit different door configurations and can be chosen based on the desired level of sealing and insulation.

If you have older home, its very likely that your door frame will not have a pre-existing kerf. Alternative weatherstripping options such as door weatherstrip kit can be used instead.   

What is It?

A door jam weatherstripping kit is a set of materials used to attach to the sides and top edges of doors jambs to seal leaks around the door. The kit typically includes a foam or rubber strip that is held by an aluminum or vinyl frame/container. The kit is comprised of a shorter piece for the top of the door, and two  longer side pieces. All three pieces can easily be cut to fit the perimeter of the door frame and it attached to it using nails.

Why Use It?

Door Weatherstripping kits are commonly used to improve the energy efficiency of homes and buildings by reducing air leakages around doors. They can help lower heating and cooling costs. and also improve indoor air quality by preventing dust and pollutants from entering the building.

 Most newer homes have a kerf slot on the door jamb so that weatherstripping can be directly inserted into the kerf, which is a groove or slot in the door frame. This creates a seal around the perimeter of the door.  

However, some doors, especially in older homes do not have built in kerf slots.  Fortunately,  using a door weatherstripping kit can accomplish the same thing and will effectively prevent air leakages through the door.

Older doors may also have irregularities due to warping or house settling resulting in large gaps.

A vinyl clad foam weatherstripping kit will fill those gaps and allow flexiblity against the odor.