Unveiling the Mystery of Door and Window Rubber Strips: Everything You Need to Know
“Boss, how wide are the strips you use in your windows?” “Boss, this rubber strip is so loose, can it be sealed?” “This strip still has a cavity.” ······
I’m sure many of you have come across conversations like these. It seems that many people mistakenly refer to heat insulation strips and sealing strips as rubber strips. However, not all black strips are called adhesive strips! The rigid ones are known as insulation strips, while the soft ones are weather stripping. Insulation strips are integrated into the profile, while rubber strips are inserted between the frame and the glass panel.
Still feeling confused? Don’t worry, today we will delve into the world of rubber strips, exploring their materials, functions, and more, step by step.
Adhesive weatherstripping, also known as adhesive rubber sealing strips, is a crucial component installed in various joints such as glass and bead, glass and frame fan, frame and fan, and fan and fan. Its primary function is to provide waterproofing, dustproofing, and prevent air leakage. Additionally, it helps reduce potential damage that doors and windows may suffer from vibrations and impacts. The elastic strip or rod material used in adhesive weatherstripping serves multiple purposes, including sealing, sound insulation, heat insulation, and shock absorption.
The popularity of adhesive weatherstripping can be attributed to its effectiveness and versatility. It is widely used in doors, windows, and curtain walls to ensure optimal performance and longevity. A high-quality adhesive weatherstripping must possess exceptional resistance to sunlight, ultraviolet aging, ozone aging, heat, and oxygen aging. It should also have low compression set and creep, as well as the ability to withstand high and low temperatures. Rainproof performance is another essential characteristic. In terms of processing technology, the rubber material used in adhesive weatherstripping should be easy to extrude, with minimal shrinkage and deformation, and exhibit good flexibility.
The demand for adhesive weatherstripping is driven by its crucial role in maintaining the functionality and durability of doors, windows, and curtain walls. As its usage increases, so do the requirements for its performance and quality. Therefore, it is essential to choose adhesive weatherstripping that meets the specific needs of each application, ensuring a reliable and long-lasting sealing solution.
According to Google search trends, adhesive weatherstripping is a popular topic among individuals looking for effective solutions to improve insulation, energy efficiency, and protection against external elements. Its ability to provide a tight seal and reduce air leakage has made it a sought-after product for both residential and commercial applications. With the increasing focus on sustainability and energy conservation, the demand for adhesive weatherstripping is expected to continue growing in the future.
Chapter 1: Sealing Strips for Building Doors and Windows: Exploring Materials and Trends for Optimal Performance
When it comes to sealing strips for building doors, windows, and curtain walls, the choice of material plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance and longevity. In this article, we will explore the various materials commonly used for sealing strips and discuss the trends shaping the industry. Based on Google search trends, we will focus on the most popular material, EPDM rubber, and highlight the emerging alternative, TPE Materials for Sealing Strips: There are several materials commonly used for sealing strips, including:
● EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer):
With high filling reinforcement and multiple physical and chemical anti-aging systems, EPDM rubber has become the preferred material for sealing strips. Its excellent resistance to weathering, UV radiation, ozone, and extreme temperatures make it ideal for various applications.
● Silicone Rubber (MVQ):
Known for its excellent heat resistance and flexibility, silicone rubber is often used in high-temperature environments. However, its higher cost limits its widespread use.
● Neoprene (CR):
Neoprene offers good resistance to weathering, ozone, and chemicals. It is commonly used in applications requiring oil and flame resistance.
● Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV):
TPV combines the physical and mechanical properties of rubber with the processing characteristics of plastics. It offers excellent weather resistance and is gradually gaining popularity as a replacement for traditional rubber and plastics.
● Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer (TPU):
TPU provides excellent flexibility, abrasion resistance, and tear strength. It is commonly used in applications requiring high durability.
●Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE):
TPE exhibits both rubber-like elasticity and plastic-like processability. It is an ideal material for applications where flexibility and ease of processing are essential.
●Plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (PPVC):
PPVC is a cost-effective material with good weather resistance. It is often used in applications where cost is a primary consideration.
●EPDM Rubber:
The Preferred Material: EPDM rubber stands out as the preferred material for sealing strips due to its exceptional physical and chemical properties. Its high filling reinforcement and anti-aging systems ensure long-lasting performance,even in harsh environments. EPDM rubber is widely used in various sealing strip applications, providing excellent weatherproofing, UV resistance, and ozone resistance.
The Rise of TPE: In recent years, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) have emerged as an alternative to traditional rubber and plastics. With its unique combination of rubber-like properties and plastic-like processability, TPE offers versatility and ease of manufacturing. Although TPE has certain limitations in manufacturing sponges and requires special technology, it has found success in applications such as frame fans and glass exteriors.
Diversification and Future Trends: The materials used for sealing strips are becoming more diverse, with each material offering specific advantages based on location, purpose, and required characteristics. As environmental considerations and energy efficiency become increasingly important, the scope of application for environmentally friendly and energy-saving TPV is expected to expand in the future.
Conclusion: Choosing the right material for sealing strips is crucial for ensuring effective waterproofing, dustproofing, and air leakage prevention in building doors, windows, and curtain walls. EPDM rubber remains the preferred choice due to its exceptional performance and longevity. However, the emergence of TPE as a versatile alternative highlights the industry’s trend towards diversification. By selecting materials based on specific needs and considering factors such as service life and cost, builders can ensure reliable and cost-effective sealing solutions for their projects.
Each material has a different tolerance to temperature. Here is a list of ranges for everyone to use as a reference when choosing rubber strips:
◆ PVC material (-25℃～+60℃ ) ◆ EPDM material (-60℃～+150℃ ) ◆ MVQ material (-60℃～+300℃ ) ◆ TPV material (-40℃～+150℃ )
Chapter 2: Unlocking the Potential: Exploring the Classification Factors of Rubber Strips for Optimal Performance
Rubber strips can be classified based on various factors. Here are some common classifications:
1. Installation position: Rubber strips can be categorized based on their installation position, such as sealing strips for frame and fan, installation glass, equal pressure, and structural parts.
2. Installation method: Rubber strips can be classified based on the installation method, such as press-in type, penetration type, and pasting type sealing strips.
3. Cross-sectional shape: Rubber strips can have different cross-sectional shapes, including solid products (round, square, flat), hollow products, and composite products. Composite sealing strips are widely used in wood-aluminum composite windows and foreign system doors and windows.
When designing rubber sealing strips, the section design is crucial. The shape and size of the sealing lip should be designed to ensure proper contact and appropriate force with the matching structure. The length and thickness of the sealing lip should be suitable to avoid excessive resistance or inadequate sealing. The bottom of the section should be designed with a protrusion to facilitate installation and prevent protrusion. The shape and size of the outer edge should be closely fitted to improve the appearance.
Considering these factors during the design and selection of rubber strips helps ensure optimal performance and functionality.
Chapter 3:Optimizing Design: Tips for Selecting and Installing Sealing Strips between Frames and Fans”
There must be a lot of people who care about design issues, come on, pick up the tips↓
1. Selection and design of sealing strips between frames and fans
1) The design working range and resilience of the sealing strip between the frames and leaves should refer to Table 1.
Strip name
Glass inner sealing strip
Glass exterior sealing strip
Design working range (mm)
2~5
0.5~5
Sample L=100mm Compression rebound force (N)
3~6
1~6
Table 1 👆 Design requirements for the selection of sealing strips between frames and fans
2) Selection of the section shape of the sealing strip between the frame and the fan
There are two types of cross-sectional shapes of the sealing strips between the frames and fans, one is semi-closed, see Figure A# semi-closed , and the other is closed, see Figure B# closed. When the required design scope is large, a semi-closed structure should be selected; when the required design scope is small, a closed structure should be selected. In order to ensure the compression resilience of the rubber strip, the wall thickness of the rubber strip should not be less than 1mm.
A# semi-closed B# closed
Figure 1 👆 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional shape of the sealing strip between the frame and the fan
3) Selection of the installation method of the sealing strip between the frame and the fan
The sealing strips between the frames and fans should be press-fit installation. The size design of the installation part of the press-in installation sealing strip should ensure that it will not fall off after matching with the installation notch of the door and window profiles, and the design of the matching size should adopt a tight fit.
2. Selection and design of sealing strips for glass installation
1) The design requirements for the design working range and rebound force of the sealant strip used for installing glass should refer to Table 2.
Sealing Strip Type
Glass exterior sealing strip
Glass inner sealing strip
Scope of design work（mm）
2~4
1.5~3
Sampling L=100mm: Compression Resilience (N)
≥10
≥10
👆 Table 2 Design requirements for the selection of sealing strips for glass installation
2) Selection of the cross-sectional shape of the sealant strip for installing glass The sealant strips used for installing glass are divided into glass outer sealant strips (see Figure 2-1a for the cross-sectional shape) and glass inner sealant strips (see Figure 2-1b for the cross-sectional shape). In order to ensure the effective elastic isolation between the frame material and the glass, the space size for installing the rubber strip (see a in Figure 2-2) should meet the requirements in Table 3.
Glass Nominal Thickness
Space dimension a for installing rubber strips
Glass Nominal Thickness
Space dimension a for installing rubber strips
3~6
3.0
4+A+4
3.5
5+A+5
8~10
3.5
6+A+6
8+A+8
5.0
12~19
4.0
10+A+10
12+A+12
★ Note: A is the thickness of the gas layer, and its value can be 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 16mm. Table 3 👆Space dimension requirements for installing rubber strips
A) Glass exterior sealing strip B) Glass inner sealing strip
👆Figure 2-1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional shape of the sealant strip used for installing glass
👆Figure 2-2 Space dimensions for installing rubber strips
3) The sealing strip used for installing glass should adopt the press-in installation method.
① Glass is a brittle material and cannot be in direct contact with the frame. The rubber strip should have a certain thickness to ensure effective elastic contact with the frame and glass, and to meet the moderate deformation of the glass. According to the “Technical Regulations for Architectural Glass Application” JGJ113, the corresponding requirements are put forward.
② The sealing tape used for installing glass is generally installed after the whole frame is assembled, so the press-in installation structure is adopted.
3. Selection and design of equal pressure sealing strip
Refer to Table 4 for the design working range of the isobaric sealing strip (see B in Figure 3) and the design requirements for the selection of resilience.
Rubber strip name
Rubber strip name
Design work range(mm)
1.5~2.5
Sample L=100mm,Compression rebound force (N)
3～8
👆 Table 4 Design requirements for selection of isobaric sealing strips
👆Figure 3 Schematic diagram of design working range (B)
Isobaric rubber strips play a crucial role in blocking air convection and heat radiation in profiles. The selection and design of isobaric rubber strips should not only meet the sealing requirements but also comply with the opening and closing force of doors and windows. Excessive deformation of part B should be avoided when the door or window is closed.
To ensure optimal performance, it is important to carefully consider the selection and design of isobaric rubber strips. The chosen strip should effectively seal the door or window when closed, preventing drafts, moisture, and heat loss. The material and design of the strip should ensure a tight seal along the entire length of the profile.
The opening and closing force of the door or window should be taken into account during the design process. Excessive deformation of part B can increase the opening and closing force, making it difficult to operate the door or window. Therefore, the design of the isobaric rubber strip should aim to minimize the deformation of part B. This can be achieved by selecting a material with appropriate elasticity and designing the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the strip to fit snugly into the profile without excessive compression.
High-quality materials should be chosen for the isobaric rubber strip to withstand the stresses and strains of repeated use. The material should possess good elasticity and durability for long-lasting performance. It should also be resistant to weathering, UV radiation, and temperature variations to maintain its sealing properties over time.
The cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the isobaric rubber strip should be carefully designed to ensure a proper fit into the profile and provide effective sealing. The shape and size of the sealing lip should be designed to ensure proper contact and appropriate force with the matching structure. The length and thickness of the sealing lip should be suitable to avoid excessive resistance or inadequate sealing. Additionally, the bottom of the section should be designed with a protrusion to facilitate installation and prevent protrusion.
By considering these factors, the isobaric rubber strip can meet the sealing requirements and provide optimal performance in blocking air convection and heat radiation while maintaining ease of operation for doors and windows.
Conclusion: At this point, you should have a clear understanding of rubber strips and their importance in doors and windows. Similar to insulation strips, rubber strips are essential accessories for doors and windows. Despite being hidden in inconspicuous corners, they are indispensable. While insulation strips focus on thermal insulation, rubber strips primarily serve the purpose of sealing. It is crucial to distinguish between the two to prevent any confusion. Referring to both as “rubber strips” could leave listeners questioning, “Which type of strip is being referred to?”
Villin Liao
Hi, I’m Villin Liao, the funder of PVCSELASTRIP.com, I’ve been running a factory in China that makes many kinds of seal strip gasket for 8 years now, and the purpose of this article is to share with you the knowledge related to sealing strips gasket from a Chinese supplier’s perspective.
