How to Install Weather Stripping on a Door: A Comprehensive Guide
Identifying Air Leaks
Before replacing weather stripping, test your door for air leaks. Close the door and hold a dampened finger, burning incense stick, or narrow strip of paper in front of weather-stripped areas. If you feel or see drafts, the weather stripping needs to be replaced.
Types of Weather Stripping
There are three main types of weather stripping:
- Kerf door jamb weather stripping: Fits into a pre-cut slit (kerf) on the interior side of the door casing.
- Compression door jamb weatherstripping: Attaches to the exterior side of the door casing and compresses against the door when it’s closed.
- Door sweep: Attaches to the bottom of the door and blocks drafts from entering under the door.
Materials and Tools
Materials:
- Kerf door jamb weatherstrip kit
- Compression door jamb weatherstrip kit
- Door sweep
Tools:
- Drill
- Drill bit set and drill drivers
- Hacksaw
- Hammer
- Measuring tape
- Marker
- Scissors
- Pliers
Instructions
1. Remove Old Weather Stripping
- Interior door casing: Use pliers to pull out the old kerf weather stripping.
- Exterior door casing: Remove compression weather stripping with a hammer or drill.
- Interior bottom of door: Unscrew the screws on the door sweep.
2. Install Kerf Door Jamb Weather Stripping
- Measure and cut the weather stripping to fit the left and right vertical sides of the door jamb.
- Press the weather stripping into the kerf.
- Measure and cut the top horizontal section.
- Press the top weather stripping into place.
3. Install Door Weather Stripping on Exterior
- Close the door and measure the vertical distance from the door threshold to the top of the door casing.
- Cut the two long strips from the kit accordingly.
- Place the hinge-side strip on the door casing and compress the vinyl against the door.
- Screw the strip into place.
- Repeat for the latch side of the door.
- Measure and cut the short horizontal strip.
- Press the top strip against the door and screw it into place.
4. Install Door Sweep
- Measure the width of the door and mark the measurement on the door sweep.
- Cut the metal part of the door sweep with a hacksaw.
- Cut the soft part with scissors.
- Press the door sweep against the door so that the soft part flexes against the threshold.
- Screw the door sweep into place.
5. When to Call a Professional
If installing weather stripping doesn’t prevent drafts, the door may be misaligned or the door frame may need to be rebuilt. These tasks require an experienced carpenter.