3
out of5
Moderate
Cutting the groove and routing the dado take patience and finesse
Depends on the type of weatherstripping and the size of the door
4 to 6 hours
Weatherstripping, or attaching seals around an entry door to fill in the gaps, is essential to keep your home energy-efficient in the summer heat and winter cold. Even a tiny 1/8-inch gap around a typical entryway door is equal to having a 5 1/2-inch-diameter hole on an outside wall. Closing that gap to keep cold air out and air conditioning in can go a long way to lower your energy bills.
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to remove and replace the weatherstripping on an older front door.
A well-sealed door requires two components: weatherstripping the sides and top to fill in the space between the door and the jamb, and adding a sweep to the bottom to fill in the space between the door and the threshold. You can find several different types of weatherstripping on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and each meant for specific types of doors. Here are the most common:
Silva recommends using tubular silicone weatherstripping for the sides and top of the door, and a twin-fin silicone sweep for the bottom.
Before installing your new weatherproofing, you&#;ll need to gather some tools and materials, remove the old weatherproofing, and prepare the door frame for the installation.
Aside from the new weatherstripping kit and door sweep, you&#;ll need these tools:
Break the paint seal by scoring along the edge of the molding and jamb with a utility knife. Then, with a flat pry bar or 5-in-one tool, carefully remove the old weatherstripping. Sand down any rough spots and remove any remaining nails with a claw hammer.
Different types and brands of weatherstripping come off differently. The door Silva works on in the video used metal weatherstripping, which comes off by pulling out the nails that attach it to the jamb.
A clean, smooth door seal will help the new weatherstripping seal properly and stay watertight. Wipe off dust and debris on the door frame with a damp cloth. Check the door for any signs of damage, repair any minor damages with an epoxy wood filler, and sand everything as smoothly as necessary. You should also confirm the door is properly aligned with the frame, which gives the weatherstripping an even surface to stick to.
Now, it&#;s time to prepare and install the new weatherstripping around the door.
Accurate measurements and cuts ensure the weatherstripping fits properly and seals the gaps effectively.
Close the door and measure two different gaps: the gap between the door and the jamb, and the gap between the door and the stop. Measure along both side jambs and the head jamb, and note which ones are the largest. You&#;ll want to choose weatherstripping that&#;s large enough to fill those gaps.
Some weatherstripping comes precut, but if yours does not, cut it to size. If you&#;re using silicone weatherstripping, be careful not to stretch it&#;that would worsen its effectiveness.
Making a groove for the weatherstripping can help it fit more snugly.
Tap out the hinge pins and remove the door from the opening. Pull a paint scraper along the stop and jamb to make sure both surfaces are smooth. Fit the grooving tool&#;s V-shaped base into the corner formed by the jamb and the stop, with the bit pointing up.
Turn on the motor and push the tool up to the head jamb. This creates a slot that&#;s 1/8 inch wide and 3/16 inch deep. At the top, turn off the motor and remove the bit from the slot. Reinsert it at the starting point, this time with the bit pointing down. (Retracing your path in the slot can widen it too much to grip the weatherstripping). A steady push to the bottom of the jamb with the motor revving finishes the slot on that side. Repeat the process on the opposite side jamb and the head jamb.
Take one end of the weatherstripping and push its barbed tongue into one end of the slot. Be careful not to stretch the weatherstripping or it&#;ll return to its original length and leave gaps. A couple of inches from the slot&#;s opposite end, gauge the proper length and cut the strip with scissors. It&#;s not necessary to miter the ends where they meet at the head jamb&#;a butt joint seals best.
Drive the weatherstripping into its slot with a spline roller. Check the installation by shutting the door from the outside and looking for gaps.
Goto I-ECO to know more.
To seal the door bottom, place the door on sawhorses and use a square to mark out a 5/8-inch-wide dado (or trench) centered on the door&#;s bottom edge. Set the router&#;s guide so a 1/2-inch bit will cut next to the top mark when the guide rests on the door&#;s top face.
On the first pass, move the router from left to right. On the second pass, let the guide ride on the door&#;s opposite side, and move the router from right to left. Make multiple passes to reach a full depth of 1 1/8 inch.
Coat the exposed wood in the dado with primer and paint.
Cut the sweep&#;s two aluminum channels 1/8-inch shy of the width of the door to allow for end caps to be installed later. To make sure the cut is clean, clamp the channels in a miter box and use a hacksaw with a waxed blade. Insert one channel into the dado, center it end to end, and screw it in place.
Fit the black silicone, sweep into the free channel, and slide the glides into the dado channel. Then, carefully rehang the door.
To seal the ends of the dado, snap plastic caps into the ends of the channel and stick squares of adhesive-backed pile against the bottom of the jambs.
After installation, fine-tune the weatherstripping by adjusting the glides. When the door is closed, no light should show between the sweep and the threshold.
To adjust the fit of the glides, open the door, remove the end cap from the latch side, and slide out the sweep. Turning the glides clockwise raises the sweep, counter-clockwise lowers it. Then slide the glides back into the attached channel.
Once you&#;ve completed the installation process, you&#;ll need to periodically check your new weatherproofing for wear, especially during the changing seasons. As temperatures move to a new normal, the expansion and contraction of materials can form gaps.
Also, make sure that the door stays properly aligned and doesn&#;t sag as your house expands, contracts, and settles. A misaligned door can wear out the weatherstripping faster.
Learn how to install door weatherstripping and you will put an end to energy-wasting drafts. When you look for places to weatherize your home for winter energy savings, door weatherstripping is a great place to start. You may find air leaks around the house, however, doors are one of the most common culprits. The steps for how to seal door gaps are simple with the right tools and products.
To install weatherstripping for doors, gather your tools and choose among the types of weatherstripping. The best weatherstripping for doors is designed specifically for this kind of high traffic opening.
Tools Required:
Materials Required:
How to weatherstrip a door correctly is easier than you think. Thoroughly clean the area to ensure your new weatherstripping will stick. Installing different types of weatherstripping may vary in the details, however, these steps apply to all varieties.
How much weatherstripping do you need? How can you cut the pieces in the right size? It comes down to measuring. You want to have enough weatherstripping to completely seal around your door without gaps that could leave you with a drafty doorway.
Cut the weatherstripping to nearly the exact dimensions of your doorway. Measure twice and make notes for accuracy. It is better for your strips to be just a little too long than too short. You can always trim the excess.
Check the weather. The weatherstripping adhesive bonds better on a day without rain or fog when it is at least 50°F (10°C) outside.
Start at the top corner of the door opening and place your first piece of weatherstripping so it is flush against the door frame. Peel off the adhesive backing about a foot at a time and press it into place as you go. Line up each piece so that there are no gaps.
Open and close the door to make sure it doesn&#;t catch on the weatherstripping. You don&#;t want it to jam and damage it or for it to start peeling.
Adjust the door weatherstripping if necessary. You may want to reinforce the adhesive by using tacks or staples. Try not to use the door for an hour or so to give the adhesive a chance to really set and stick.
The last step in how to install door weatherstripping is adding a door sweep. It stops drafts, but still allows the door to swing freely. Most are made of metal with a rubber edge to make a good seal. They come in standard size so you don&#;t have to cut it to fit.
Temporarily tape the sweep so that it covers the gap at the bottom of your door, but doesn&#;t scrape when the door swings. Drill small pilot holes in each screw hole. Use a slightly smaller drill bit than the screw. Insert the screws from the center and work out from there.
Replacing old weatherstripping is similar to how to install door weatherstripping the first time.
For more information on how to seal a door, visit our blog post about weatherizing your home.
Adding insulation does more than stop drafts, it stops some sound from entering your home. Increasing the peace and quiet inside your house is well worth the effort to learn how to install door weatherstripping.
Weatherstripping a door is reasonably simple, but you may still have some questions. H3: What&#;s the best weatherstripping for a door?
Picking the right weatherstripping is half the battle. The kind of door, how much traffic it gets and your budget will guide your choices for the best weatherstripping for doors in your house. You can learn more about your door weatherstripping options here.
Protecting your weatherstripping from the weather helps it last longer and work better. Place it inside your door jamb for optimum performance. Don&#;t place weatherstripping directly on your door. In addition to looking bad, it will not last as long and will suffer more wear and tear.
How long weatherstripping lasts depends on the type. If it is exposed to the elements, it will break down faster. The traffic through your door will also have an effect. Opening and closing a door often adds wear and tear. Expect five years of life, but inspect it often to know when to replace it.
Save energy by sealing door gaps. Of all the home energy saving things you can do, it is one of the easiest and least expensive.
Are you interested in learning more about Weather Stripping? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!