It’s winter, and now you can really notice the leaky draft at the front door. Replacing worn or damaged weatherstripping will not only keep your home more comfortable, but it will also help to reduce your energy consumption, and your furnace will not have to work as hard. And, of course, doing this before the cold weather hits will make the job easier.
Exterior door weatherstripping
According to ENERGY STAR®, weatherstripping can save you up to 20% on your heating and cooling costs. Typically, someone with basic skills can tackle most weatherstripping projects. It’s relatively simple, but you need to make sure that you are using the best products for the job at hand and installing them correctly.
Exterior door weatherstripping and threshold
Assemble your tools and materials
· Tape measure
· Screw drivers
· Scissors
· Cleaning supplies
· Replacement weatherstripping
· Replacement door sweep
Steps to replace your weatherstripping
· Prepare the area
Remove as much of the dirt and debris as possible. Clean the area with hot, soapy water. Use sandpaper or stronger solvents to remove any residue that the hot, soapy water doesn’t remove.
· Tighten your door hinges.
People never think of their door hinges. Lift on the door handle to make sure there is no play or looseness. Tightening the hinges ensures that the door will sit squarely in its frame and that it will close properly.
Door hinge
· Take measurements and determine the type of weatherstripping you need
Measure the width as well as how tall your door opening is to determine how much weatherstripping you will need. Many of the more modern doors use similar products. Define the products needed and how much you will need. Many of the big-box stores will have several choices and kits for replacing the more popular and commonly used products. There are pros and cons to varying choices of weatherstripping. Now is not the time to be cheap. Spend the money and buy the best product for your job.
· Remove the old weatherstripping and door sweep
The weatherstripping and door sweep on most modern doors are typically installed by being pressed or inserted into a slot in the door frame or door itself. Most times, you can simply pull the old weatherstripping out with little effort, unless it has been adhered in place with paint.
Door sweeps can sometimes be removed with the door in place. If this is too difficult, it may be faster just to remove the door from the hinges. You will probably need some additional help with this.
Door sweep at the bottom of the door
· Remeasure and cut the weatherstripping to length
The pre-cut replacement weatherstripping is typically a bit longer than the actual door opening. Remeasure and cut the weatherstripping to length. Check the length and adjust if necessary for the best fit. Slide the new weatherstripping into the appropriate slot in the frame. Double-check the length of the door sweep and cut as necessary.
· Confirm fit and function
Open and close your door to make sure that the fit and function of your new weatherstripping are correct. Keep in mind that the new weatherstripping may cause your door to open and close a bit harder. Over time, this will ease up as the weatherstripping sets in place.
Summary
Replacing your exterior door weatherstripping will take an hour or so and is relatively inexpensive. The process is simple and is one of the more cost-effective ways to save money on your home heating costs. It also helps to keep rain, insects, and rodents out of your home.
At HomePro Inspections, our home inspectors are trained to inspect the weatherstripping and function of the door seals and identify any defects. Any issues are documented in your home inspection report and recommended for resolution by a qualified professional.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942 or utilize our online “Schedule Now” feature to set up an appointment.