Weather Gaskets—the long awaited solution

The gaps between windows and their surrounding stucco are often difficult to observe with the naked eye, yet when hit by horizontal winds and rain, they allow the repeated intrusion of free-flowing water. Over the years, such leaks can result in the following types of damage: Staining of walls, window sills, or floors; mold or fungus visible on window frames, sills, or adjacent walls; leaks into non-ventilated areas adjacent to windows; mildew, fungus, and dry rot; structural failure, sliding windows or glass doors that are difficult to open and close; windows that, when closed, allow air drafts into building; and cracked stucco.

Much of the water damage listed above can be prevented by adhering Weather Gaskets to building component perimeters as part of the installation process. The photos to the right show a Weather Gasket for a window both before and after it is installed.

Weather Gaskets are made of strong yet highly flexible 100% silicone, and work similar to rubber bands, so when properly installed, they fit snuggly around the perimeter of the building components, similar to that shown in the photo to the right. See “Installing Weather Gaskets.”

Weather Gaskets were developed over a 10-year period to provide impermeable water barriers to prevent water from breaching window flashings and building paper. In addition to sealing windows, Weather Gaskets can be used to seal doors, utility panels, exterior lighting fixtures, wood corbels, extruding structural beams, and plumbing, heating and air conditioning components penetrating exterior finishes.