How to Fix Weather Stripping on a Front Door

Air leaks around your front door not only create an uncomfortable draft in cold weather, it is a major source of heat loss, too. Although the loss may seem minor, according to About My Planet a crack of 1/16-inch around a door or window lets in as much cold air as leaving a window open 3 inches. Sealing the cracks around your door will prevent cold air from entering your home in the first place and decrease your heating cost by up to 15 percent.

Things You'll Need

• Weather stripping Scissors/utility knife Tape measure

Instructions

1. Check your door for air leaks. Have a friend go outside with a flashlight, preferably after dark, and shine the light around the perimeter of the door while you watch for any signs of light from the inside. If you see light, you have an air leak that needs to be sealed. Another method is to hold a lighted candle near the edges of the door. Flickering flames indicate that air is coming in from outside. Check the entire perimeter of the door.

2. Purchase weather stripping at your local hardware store. The easiest and least expensive weather stripping to install is adhesive backed foam. Select flexible gasket types for more efficient weather stripping, if preferred. Many come with adhesive backing that makes them easy to install while others must be nailed or stapled in place.

3. Install adhesive backed weather stripping by cleaning the inside of the door frame and the stop molding. Allow it to dry completely.

4. Cut the weather stripping to the desired length to form a snug fit along the sides and top of the door.

5. Peel the backing from the foam or rubber gasket and press the strip to the inside of the stop molding.

6. Install weather stripping without an adhesive backing by following the same procedure and nailing or stapling in place against the stop molding.

Resources

• About My Planet