Timber vs. rain and ice
Temperature and humidity may wreak havoc on the structural purity of certain materials, particularly wood. Severe cold can cause wooden window frames, doors, and door frames to shrink, while extreme humidity can cause them to warp or bow unfavourably. As a result, wood must be painted or sealed on a regular basis. PVC and aluminium windows, which do not suffer from the same degree of distortion, are becoming increasingly popular.
The key reason for the constant replacement of weatherstripping is that ice forms in the open spaces between doors and windows and the frames in which they are fixed. When warm, wet air leaves via these tiny gaps, it freezes when it meets the cold outside air. This makes it impossible to open a window without splitting the weather stripping, which leads to ice accumulation. This can make it difficult to open and close windows and doors.
