How to Stop The Draft in Your Front Door

Drafts during winter can make a house feel much colder.

As summers slip into autumn and temperatures begin cooling, take the time to make sure your home is ready to keep out the cold. Drafts in a home allow for cold air to blow through cracks or gaps between doors, windows and other areas. That cold air not only contributes to your feeling colder than you should -- money and energy are being wasted. When you notice your front door is leaking air and allowing in drafts, you can take simple and effective measures to stop the wind from entering.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Weatherstripping kit
• Door sweep
• Draft stopper (optional)
• Screwdriver
• Screws
• Scissors or utility knife
• Hacksaw
• Drill (optional)

Instructions

1. Check the door for loose hinges and replace any screws that seem stripped or worn.

2. Measure your door. Take the dimensions starting from the top left to the top right corner of the doorjamb. Then measure from the top corner of the doorjamb to the bottom edge of the door.

3. Purchase a weatherstripping kit and door sweep that are suitable for the size of your door.

4. Remove the first few inches of adhesive backing from the weatherstripping. Press the stripping into place starting at the top, then working down and across the door frame. Work slowly, peeling and pressing as you move several inches at a time. Keep the weatherstripping straight and free of clumps or wrinkles.

5. Fit the door sweep to the door. Cut the flap, which is the flexible part, with your knife or scissors, then use the hacksaw to cut the metal flange. The sweep should fit the width of the door. Hold the sweep up against the door so that the bottom barely touches the threshold or the floor. You don't want it hanging too low that it will potentially scratch the floor. Attach the sweep to the bottom of the door using the screws that usually come with it. If needed, pre-drill the screw holes.

6. Wait a few days to see if your drafts have been fully blocked. If you're still getting a little air coming in from the front, add a doorway draft stopper to the bottom area in front of your front door for additional protection. These are either plastic or fabric tubes that are additional backup for preventing drafts. The draft stopper should rest snugly against the bottom of your door.

Tips & Warnings

• If old, tattered weatherstripping is on the door, remove it and replace it with fresh stripping.

• Check to ensure that your door is hung properly and the hinges are flush without any odd-looking areas. If you can see large gaps of light coming through the closed front door, it could be hung improperly. Consult with a carpenter or handyman on rehanging it properly if adjusting the hinges does not resolve the problem.

• You can also find weather stripping that requires cutting and nailing. These may last longer than the press-on type.

References

• U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Savers: Weatherstripping
• Family Handyman: Weatherstripping Doors
• Evergreen Energy Savers; How to Stop Drafts and Save Money; March 2011

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish