Door Weatherstrip Replacement Tips

With the high cost of energy needed for you to heat your home, using a door weatherstrip to prevent cold air from entering your home is vital to your maintaining a draft-free home. This precaution can also help you save on your pocket book. There could be many reasons you should replace weather stripping on a door; it could be because the weather stripping has aged and has become worn and damaged, or because it was fitted improperly.

In addition to costs you can save by using these strips, they can also reduce drafts, exterior noises, wind whistling through your doors, and transfers of odors from neighbors (if you live in an apartment). Door weather stripping can also prevent the intrusion of pests into your home.

The following tips will give you assistance in determining whether or not you should replace your weather stripping, along with recommendations for choosing different kinds of weather stripping.

1. Flashlight Method

Use a flashlight to determine whether or not you will need new weather stripping on an exterior door. You will need a friend or family member to assist you. First, turn off all your house lights. Have your assistant stand on one side of the closed door, with you on the other side. Shine your flashlight all around the door’s perimeter. If your assistant can see any of the light from the flashlight, this is an indication that you should install weather stripping on your door.

2. Dollar Bill Method

On the locked side of the door, slide a dollar bill between the door and the doorjamb. If the dollar bill slides easily through, you would benefit from installing new weather stripping.

3. Choose a Weather Stripping

There are several types of weather stripping on the market you can use on your doors. The following are a few of those choices:

Adhesive-backed foam: This type of weather stripping is the most commonly used, and is also the easiest to use. You can purchase it at your local hardware store. When applying it to your door, simply follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Felt Nail-On: This variety is similar to the adhesive-backed foam. It is nailed on, rather than using adhesive, and it is therefore more difficult and time-consuming to install.

Rubber Gasket Stripping: This method is an upgrade from the adhesive-backed foam method. This stripping contains a flexible gasket that compresses to seal cracks and openings in your doors. There are different methods you can use to install the rubber gasket stripping. Some require the use of nails or staples, and others have adhesive backings.

Door Sweep: Attaching a door sweep to the bottom of your door can prevent drafts from entering your home. Door sweeps can be attached by adhesives or screws.

Door Threshold: You can also use these to prevent drafts from entering your home. You can purchase them at your local hardware store, online, or at a local home improvement center.

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