How to Fix a Drafty Door
Possibly one of the most common issues with doors: draftiness. If your door is letting in too much air from outside, you might be experiencing high energy bills in an attempt to counteract the cold or warm air making its way into your home. Also, it can be just plain annoying.
Especially if you live somewhere that is prone to extreme temperatures, particularly cold weather, you need a well-insulated door that does not let in any outside air.
Luckily though, if you are having this issue, there are a few things you can do to fix it. Even if you aren’t the handiest, fixing a drafty door might be easier than you think. In this article we are going to discuss the different ways to fix a drafty door. Fixing a drafty door is an easy weekend DIY project.
Here are a few easy options:
- New Sweeps – Installing new door sweeps is really easy to do, even if you’re not handy. You can purchase them from your local hardware store, such as Lowe’s.
There are a few different kinds of sweeps (like heavy duty, drip-cap and brush). Ask a worker at the hardware store which one is best for you. - Foam Tape – Possibly the easiest way to fix a drafty door on this list. Foam tape is a great way to seal up a door that is letting in too much air.
Simply cut to size and apply where your door is drafty. - Re-Caulk Your Door – This is something you might want to add to your yearly home maintenance checklist. Each year before winter comes, going around your home and re-caulking the windows and doors can make a world of difference.
With time, the caulking around your windows and doors becomes weathered and degraded. A tube or two of caulk will do the trick, though. Simply go around and re-caulk the areas that are visibly degraded. - Weather-stripping – Weather stripping is an easy and affordable option for fixing a drafty door. Again, this is something that an expert at your local hardware store can help you with. There are guides and video tutorials available to help guide you in the installation.
- Window Film – Window film is a good option if you need a temporary fix, or if you’re a renter and can’t perform home repairs.
Window Film looks like saran wrap. It is installed with double sided tape and then sealed with a hair dryer. It works wonders, and you can even use it on your windows if you are having issues with drafty windows as well! - Rigid Foam Insulation – When you think of insulation, you’re probably thinking of the fluffy kind.
But, there is another option. Rigid foam board insulation is a unique insulation option. It is an excellent choice, as it’s very durable and provides superior insulation. It’s also relatively inexpensive.
If your energy bills are through the roof, or you’re just tired of cold air coming into your home, fixing your drafty door is a project that you can easily solve in a weekend! Hopefully we’ve provided at least one option here that will work for you. As always, thank you for reading.