Learning how to install door weatherstripping in your home is an easy, inexpensive solution for keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Weatherstripping can quickly pay for itself and may save you up to 15% on average on heating and cooling costs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Best of all, almost anybody can install it! However, there are several different types of weatherstripping, and you need to install your selection correctly to experience cost-saving benefits. Keep reading to find out which weatherstripping is most appropriate for various parts of your home and how to install door weatherstripping for maximum efficiency.
Related: Ensure your home stays warm with heat pump maintenance
Choosing the Right Weatherstripping on Doors
Before you get started, you must pick the best type of weatherstripping for your door. You'll want to ensure that it can handle the changes in temperature and climate, as well as the wear and tear it will go through daily. Here are some of the common types available at most hardware stores, their unique properties, and where they're often placed on doors.
V-Strip/V-Seal/Tension Seal
Average cost: $0.25 per linear foot
This type of self-stick weatherstripping is commonly made of vinyl and is designed to go around the top and sides of a door. Installing door weatherstripping of this variety is fairly easy; it's moderately durable, comes in various colors and shapes, and is virtually invisible once in place. However, the downside of this type of weatherstripping is that it can make opening and closing doors a little more difficult and is typically a bit more expensive.
Felt
Average cost: $0.10 per linear foot
Felt weatherstripping is a great choice if you're looking for a quick, affordable fix that’s easy to install in parts of your home that don't get much foot traffic. You can find felt weatherstripping in rolls of natural wool or synthetic blends. It must be stapled and tacked or glued into place. The drawbacks to this type of weatherstripping are that it is susceptible to moisture, isn’t as durable as other types, and can be noticeable when doors are left open.
Foam or Rubber Tape
Average cost: $1.47 per linear foot
Another versatile and easy-to-install option for weatherstripping is foam or rubber tape. Rubber tape is great for keeping out water, and foam tape expands to fill gaps better, but it is less durable and can quickly break down when applied to frequently used doors. These types of tape are more expensive but typically work best for doors set over uneven floors that aren't used often.
Door Sweep
Average cost: $10 per unit
A door sweeper (named for how it brushes along the ground when the door is opened or closed) is designed to keep cold air from entering gaps under doors. They're relatively simple to install but are best used on commercial or exterior doors (like in the garage) that sit over flat flooring surfaces. You can find them in various styles and materials to match the design and color of your door. While cost-effective, rubber is the more durable option.
Metal
Average cost: $40 per unit
Metal is one of the most durable options for weatherstripping on doors. It is commonly used to accent features in older homes. Metal comes in aluminum, bronze, stainless steel, and copper varieties but it needs thoughtful placement in your home. It should be placed over even floors and be aware that metal can wear the floor in carpeted areas.
Silicone and Reinforced Silicone
Average cost: $1.00 to $1.50 per linear foot
Silicone weatherstripping comes in tape or hollow-yet-flattened tubing. Still, both forms use a "core" of air to maximize insulation. Reinforced silicone weatherstripping is like regular silicone but includes a metal bar for extra durability and increased draft stoppage. Silicone is more expensive than other types of weatherstripping, but even reinforced silicone is flexible and good for tight or uneven gaps.
Tools You Need for Weatherstripping a Door
Learning how to install door weatherstripping can be a simple task using a few simple tools you may have around your home. The type of weatherstripping you choose will determine the exact tools you need, so before you head off to the hardware store, check that you have the following:
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Tin snips/side cutters/hand saw
How to Install Door Weatherstripping
Door drafts can make your home uncomfortable, and your heating or cooling system will have to work harder (and use more energy) to maintain a steady temperature. Installing door weatherstripping can go a long way toward improving your home's energy efficiency. Here's how to go about weatherstripping a door the right way.
Step 1: Clean the Door and Check the Hinges
To begin, scrub the door frame and the sill (the bottom part of the door frame) as thoroughly as possible with soapy water, removing as much dirt and grime as possible.
Make sure the door hinges are snug before you begin. Gently raise the door using the handle. If there is any play (that is, the door moves upward), tighten the screws on the top hinge. Then double-check that the screws on the bottom hinge are tight. This helps ensure the door is securely fastened, allowing the freshly installed weatherstripping to fill the gaps as evenly and effectively as possible.
Step 2: Measure the Door Frame
Before buying door weatherstripping, carefully measure the door frame to ensure you purchase enough material. For tape and V-strip weatherstripping, you will want enough material to cover the sides and top of the door frame, plus an additional 10%. If you are also installing a door sweep or door shoe, measure the bottom width of the door.
Step 3: Cut the Weatherstripping
For the sides and top of the door, carefully measure and cut flexible or tape types of weatherstripping. If you use either metal or door sweep-style weatherstripping, purchase the correct size based on your door width measurements, as cutting these later can be difficult.
Check each piece by positioning it on the doorframe where it will be placed to ensure you've trimmed the lengths correctly before permanently applying the new weatherstripping. It's OK if a piece is too long; you can cut the extra when you attach the stripping.
However, if any of your strips need to be longer, double-check your dimensions and cut a new strip.
Step 4: Attach the Weatherstripping
If the product has an adhesive back, remove it and push the strip into place around the door frame perimeter, not the door itself. Even if your weatherstripping is adhesive, you may want to use heavy-duty staples or tiny tacking nails to strengthen the installation. Both will help keep your door weatherstripping in place over the long term.
Step 5: Install the Door Sweep
Install a door sweep on the bottom of the door to finish the work. Pre-tap a few holes to easily nail or screw the sweep to the interior side of the door. When the door opens, the rubber, metal, or bristles lightly sweep the floor, and when the door shuts, the door sweeper should create a tight seal.
With these tips on how to install door weatherstripping, you can check around your house and seal other doors that may have gaps around them. Check out our other DIY articles for more tips on keeping your home warm.
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