How to Make Your Doors Ready for Winter

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Everyone knows to close the door behind them in the winter. But sometimes that isn't enough. General wear and tear on your door can create gaps that let cold air in and cost you money. Fixing these is relatively easy, and a little time and money spent to repair them can save you heating costs.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Caulking or other sealant
Foam or felt sealant
Unused towel or other rolled piece of cloth

Step1

Before the winter chill sets in too deep, examine the door frame for any gaps or cracks between the frame and the wall. Use the caulk or sealant to repair these. (Your local hardware store can help you decide which to use.)

Step2

Examine the seal on the door itself, where the door fits into the frame. Some doors will have a weather strip on the bottom or top. If it's old or cracked, remove it with a putty knife or other scraper and some cleaner.

Step3

Take your foam or felt seals and apply them to the bottom or top of the door - any place that looks as if there might be a gap between the door and frame when the door is closed. You can also apply this to the sides, again trying to seal any place the winter wind might get inside your home.

Step4

Be sure to test the door periodically as you apply the seals. You don't want the door fitting so tightly that you can't open or close it.

Step5

Once your seals are in place, a last measure against the winter chill is a door skirt. You can purchase these, or take an old towel or other rolled pieced of cloth and push it against the bottom of your door when it's closed. This will help keep out that last bit of draft. These are good for basement doors or doors leading to the garage.

Tips & Warnings

Check to see whether you have a door that's insulated. Ask an expert or consult the manufacturer. If it isn't, consider replacing it.
Also, doors with big windows may be pretty, but they lose a lot of heat. Replace your door, or use the same shrink-wrap hardware stores sell for windows on the glass panes of your door.
Don't block any door that you might need to escape from in an emergency. If you have a big gap between the bottom of the door and the frame and can't take care of it using foam or felt seals, invest in a door skirt. Do not place the towel or rolled cloth in the way of your front or back door.