Introduction
Keeping the warm air in and cold air out of your home is an essential part of staying comfortable year-round. A draught excluder that fits around the side edges and top of a door or window is known as a weatherstrip, and fitting them is known as weatherstripping. They are easy to fit and can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your home as well as your comfort level, as draughts are always very noticeable.
This article will help you easily fit a weatherstrip or draught excluder around the sides and top of a door for maximum comfort and energy efficiency.
Adhesive-backed weatherstrips are an effective and simple way to keep the cold air out and the warm air in, especially around doors that may not fit as snugly as you’d like. Weather stripping doors is a quick and easy task that anyone can do, and it can make a noticeable improvement to your level of comfort and your budget.
Step-by-step guide for door weatherstripping
- Measure the gaps around the sides and top of the door that you are looking to fill.
Use a tape measure to determine the width of the gaps between the door and the door frame. This will help you determine the size of the weatherstrips you need. You can find weatherstrips in a variety of sizes, from small ones that fit narrow gaps to large ones that cover wider spaces. You may need more than one size for each door if the gaps vary significantly. You do not want to install weather stripping that is too wide for the gap, as it will affect how the door closes and could make it hard or impossible to close. Equally, if the weatherstripping is not wide enough, the installation will not serve its intended purpose.
Check out our list of recommended weather stripping and front door draught excluders. Once you have purchased your door weatherstripping, continue these steps.
- Clean the surfaces where the weatherstrips will be applied.
Ensure the door and door frame are clean and dry so that the adhesive on the weatherstrips will adhere properly. Once free of loose paint, dirt and grime, use methylated spirits to remove oil and grease from the areas you will be attaching the weather stripping.
- Cut the weatherstrips to size. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the weatherstrips to the appropriate length for the space.
- Peel off the backing paper from the adhesive side of the weatherstrips. Take care not to touch the adhesive with your fingers, as it will become less effective if contaminated with dirt or oil from your fingertips.
- Apply the weatherstrips to the door and/or door frame. Starting at one end, carefully press the weatherstrips into place along the edges you are filling. Use a scraper or a credit card to smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles, and ensure the weatherstrips are applied evenly and firmly.
- Test the weatherstrips to ensure they are properly sealed.
Close the door and run your hand along the edges top of the door to feel for any air gaps or draughts. If you find any, adjust the weatherstrips or add more weatherstripping as necessary to ensure a snug fit. Make sure you can still open and close the door easily without forcing the door or distorting it.
Conclusion
It really is that simple to fit draught excluders around doors and windows. With a few simple steps, you can improve the energy efficiency of your home and your own comfort levels. A draught-proofed door can make all the difference in keeping the cold air out! Check out our other article how to fit a bottom of the door draught excluder
Good luck with draught proofing your home – stay warm this winter!
