How to Stop a Drafty Door

A drafty door lets in the cold and lets out the heat, but what escapes through it is money--in higher energy costs. The solution to stopping this unwanted flow is a matter of adding effective insulation to the door, and the investment in time and material is meager compared to the energy savings from a properly insulated door.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Awl
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Hacksaw
• Utility knife
• Metal door sweep
• P-tube door weatherstripping set

Instructions

Installing A Door Sweep

1. Close the door and measure the horizontal width of the door at the bottom.

2. Transfer the measurement of the door's width to the door sweep by marking that distance on the sweep.

3. Cut the door sweep to the length marked. If the cut mark is within 1 inch of the predrilled screw hole on that end, split the amount cut off and cut each end of the sweep to keep the holes centered equally.

4. Place the door sweep against the face of the door at the bottom, making certain the sweep's rubber gasket faces down and is pressed evenly against the threshold.

5. Mark the center of each elongated screw hole in the door sweep's metal flange with an awl as a starter hole for the screws.

6. Secure the sweep to the door with the screws provided, using the screwdriver and keeping the sweep's rubber insulating gasket pressed gently and evenly against the top of the threshold.

Installing Door Weatherstripping

1. Open the door and measure the height of the door opening on the strike side, which is opposite from the hinges, from the top of the threshold on the face of the door stop to the top horizontal surface of the header door stop.

2. Select one of the two longer side pieces of P-tube door weatherstripping, and cut it to the dimension determined in measuring the door's height. Use a hacksaw to cut through the metal strip, then cut the vinyl P-tube with a utility knife.

3. Position the cut weatherstrip piece against the surface of the door stop, with the vinyl tubing toward the door. Close the door to make sure the vinyl tubing will press firmly against the door face and attach it to the door jamb with the nails provided.

4. Open the door and measure the horizontal width of the door opening across the top jamb on the surface of the door stop.

5. Cut the short header piece of P-tube weatherstrip to the width measurement determined, then position it on the face of the header door stop and close the door to make sure it will press evenly against the door surface. Secure the piece in place with the nails provided.

6. Cut and install the P-tube weatherstripping piece to the hinge side of the door jamb using the same method as when securing weatherstripping to the strike side of the door.

References

• Home Tips.com: Door Weatherstripping Options