Weatherstripping Installing Guide

Door drafts mean real discomfort — and real money. Correctly installed weatherstripping can prevent up to twenty percent of heating and cooling costs, and virtually anyone can install it. But to coax the best value from its insulating properties, it must be installed correctly.

Step 1 — Clean the Door and the Jamb

Remove as much dirt and debris as possible. If grime remains after scrubbing with soapy water, use fine-grit sandpaper to eliminate residual buildup. Once the doorway is clean, move on to measuring.

Step 2 — Take Measurements

Answer two questions: how wide is the gap between door and jamb (measure along the side and along the top — they may differ), and how wide is the jamb itself? The first tells you how thick the weatherstripping can be; the second, how wide. Buy enough for the width and height of the door plus about 10 percent extra.

Step 3 — Buy Your Weatherstripping

Felt is cheap and easy to cut but rarely durable enough for doors. Foam wears better than felt. Rubber insulates best and lasts longest, though it often must be nailed into place. Choose the material that fits your door and budget.

Step 4 — Cut and Apply

Cut three pieces — one for the top, two for the sides. Peel away the adhesive back and press into place around the perimeter of the door jamb (not the door itself). Reinforce with heavy-duty staples or small tacking nails to keep it in place over time.

Step 5 — Install a Sweep

Finish with a door sweep along the bottom: a metal band with a rubber strip that flexes when the door opens and seals when it closes. Sweeps come in standard sizes — cut to width with a hacksaw if needed, pre-drill for the small screws, and position so the sweep seals tightly against the threshold.

From start to finish the job should take no more than an hour — a small commitment for a winter of comfort and lower energy bills.