How to Weatherstrip Your Exterior Door for a Cozier, More Efficient Home

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a draft sneaking under your front door on a chilly day to remind you that your home’s comfort and your wallet could use a little help. That whisper of cold air is more than just an annoyance; it’s a sign that your home is working harder than it needs to, letting your carefully heated or cooled air escape. The good news is that sealing those leaks is one of the simplest and most cost-effective DIY projects you can tackle. Weatherstripping your exterior door is a weekend task that pays you back all year long in lower energy bills and a more comfortable living space.

Before you head to the hardware store, you’ll need to play detective for a few minutes. The goal is to find exactly where your door is letting air in. On a breezy day, you can often feel drafts by simply moving your hand around the edges of the closed door. Another classic trick is to shut the door on a piece of paper or a dollar bill. If you can pull it out without much resistance, you’ve found a leak. Pay special attention to the sides and top, but don’t forget the bottom, which is often the biggest culprit. Also, check for light peeking through the cracks from inside with the door closed—anywhere you see light, air is moving.

Once you know where the leaks are, it’s time to choose your materials. The world of weatherstripping can seem overwhelming with all its foam tapes, V-strips, and tubular rubber, but don’t worry. For most homeowners, a combination of two types works perfectly. For the top and sides of the door, adhesive-backed foam tape is a fantastic starter project. It’s inexpensive, easy to cut with scissors, and you just peel and stick it to the door frame where the door makes contact. For a more durable and effective seal on the sides and top, many DIYers prefer a product called “V-seal” or tension seal. This is a springy strip of metal or plastic with a V-shape that you staple or tack to the frame; the door closes into the V, pushing it open to create a tight, long-lasting seal that holds up to lots of opening and closing.

The bottom of the door requires its own special solution. While a simple door sweep that screws onto the interior bottom of the door is common, for the best insulation, look for a product called a door draft stopper or a reinforced threshold seal. These often combine a sweep on the door with a new, raised threshold that has a built-in vinyl gasket. When the door closes, it presses down onto this flexible gasket, creating an airtight seal that even blocks out insects and dust. Installation is straightforward, usually involving some careful measuring, screwing the new threshold into place, and then attaching the sweep to the door so it makes firm contact.

The key to success in this project is all in the preparation. No weatherstripping will stick or seal properly to a dirty, flaky surface. Before you apply anything, give the areas you’ll be working on a good scrub with a mild detergent and let them dry completely. When you’re applying adhesive strips, measure each section twice, cut carefully, and press firmly along its entire length once it’s in place. Take your time, and don’t rush the process. When you’re finished, do the paper test again. You should feel a satisfying resistance when you try to pull it out. That resistance is the sound of money staying in your bank account and comfort staying in your home. With just a few dollars and a couple of hours of your time, you can banish those drafts for good and enjoy a noticeably cozier, quieter, and more efficient home.