- Remove any screws holding the old weather stripping in place. Metal weather stripping is held in place by screws.
- Peel adhesive weather stripping off the frame. Most types of weather stripping are very easy to remove without risk to your home.
- Clean the door frame with soap and water to clear away debris. ...
- Fill in any nail holes using a paintable wood filler. These spots have to be filled in before you can install new weather stripping.
- Repaint the frame to make it look fresh and consistent. Before painting, put on safety gear, such as a dust mask.
How to install Weatherstripping around a door?
Recommended Tools:
- Measure the gap. If there’s old, worn weatherstripping around the doorframe, use a flat pry bar to remove it. ...
- Cut a groove. Tap out the hinge pins and remove the door from the opening. ...
- Insert the weatherstripping. ...
- Rout the dado. ...
- Paint the wood and attach the channel. ...
- Install the sweep. ...
- Adjust the glides. ...
How to install weather stripping around an exterior door?
Project step-by-step (7)
- Tighten the Hinges. Before you go out to buy your materials, check the door to make sure the draft isn't caused by loose hinge screws.
- Measure the Door Jamb. Close the door and measure the top of the frame from side to side. ...
- Cut the Top Piece. ...
- Nail the Top Piece. ...
- Cut the Side Pieces. ...
- Attach the Weatherstripping. ...
How to replace the frame weatherstrip on an entry door?
To install this type of weatherstripping:
- Clean and dry the jamb and edge of the door stops. ...
- Cut three pieces of foam weatherstripping to length: one for each side jamb and one for the head jamb (the top horizontal section of a door frame).
- Peel off the protective backing and press weatherstripping to the hinge-side jamb and edge of the door stops where shown. ...
How to install weather stripping on Windows and doors?
To install pressure-sensitive foam weather stripping around doors:
- Select warm day to work, if possible. Adhesive forms a better bond if applied when temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Clean surface where weather stripping is to be attached with detergent and water. Make sure no dirt or grease remains. ...
- Use scissors to cut strip to fit, but don't remove backing paper yet.
Replacing the Weather Stripping on an Exterior Door: Step-by-Step Guide
In this tutorial, we’ll use magnetic weather stripping, which is preferable when you have a steel door because it results in a more secure seal. If your door isn’t made of metal, you’ll want to use a different product, such as foam weather stripping.
Step 2: Measure, Cut, and Install New Weather Stripping
Carefully measure along the top of the door, jamb to jamb. (If you’re unsure of your measuring skills, it’s best to go a little long. You can always trim down if needed.)
Considerations When Selecting Weatherstripping
The type of weather stripping you need depends on the type of door and frame you’re working on. Many types of weather stripping are available at home centers and hardware stores. Not only will you find various materials for the weather stripping itself, but the mode of applying the product can vary also.
How to Easily Replace Weather Stripping on an Exterior Door: Conclusion
No matter the type of weather stripping that needs to be replaced, the relatively low cost of materials and ease of installation make this a DIY project anyone can tackle confidently. When you consider the potential for improved energy savings and home comfort, it’s a project that’s more than worthwhile.
Other Weather Stripping-Related Repairs
A similar project to this one is how to replace a bottom door seal. To learn more, check out our YouTube video or the step-by-step guide here on the website.
Where to put weather stripping on a door?
Place one section of weather stripping along the top of the door , and two sections along either side.
How to remove weather stripping from metal?
Remove any screws holding the old weather stripping in place. Metal weather stripping is held in place by screws. Check along the center of each piece to find the screws, then use a Phillips screwdriver to remove them by turning them counterclockwise. Once the screws are out, the weather stripping will be loose and easy to pull out as well.
What is the best weather stripping for windows?
Choose felt adhesive strips for doors and windows you don’t often open. Felt strips are the most inexpensive type of weather stripping you can get. Unfortunately, they are also the least damage-resistant type available. However, they are still useful because they can be cut to size with a good pair of scissors and stuck to a frame without much work.
How long does it take for weather stripping to wear out?
Check the weather stripping in your home throughout the year. Most weather stripping wears out within a couple of years, so replace it to keep your home well-insulated!
How to cut weather stripping?
Cut the weather stripping to size with a utility knife or tin snips. Cutting weather stripping is very easy, but be careful to avoid bending the material out of shape. For adhesive material, cut it to size with a utility knife.
How long does it take for a paint frame to dry?
Let the frame dry before attempting to apply filler or paint. Wipe it down with a soft cloth or allow it to air dry for about 30 minutes.
Where to take old weather stripping?
If your old weather stripping is still intact, take it with you to a hardware store when shopping for new weather stripping. Ask store employees to show you to a suitable replacement.
What to use to remove paint from a wall?
I would try mineral spirits first. If that doesn’t work, try denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner, but keep in mind that they may soften or remove the paint as well.
Can you retrofit a door?
Older doors can be retrofit using rolls of self-adhesive foam weather stripping from The Duck Brand .
Does replacing weather stripping save money?
Replacing worn or damaged weather stripping around exterior doors will save money on your energy bills.
Can you paint weatherstripping on a new door?
Not only does it keep you from getting paint on the weatherstripping, but it allows you to close the door while the paint cures without it sticking to the weatherstripping .
Save energy and make your doors look more attractive
High-quality silicone rubber weather stripping permanently seals gaps around exterior doors, increases energy efficiency—and looks better than most other types of weather seals.
A new type of weather stripping
This old door had damaged brass weather strip held on by hundreds of tiny nails. We used a small pry bar to remove the nails and weather strip. For the best-looking job, fill the nail holes and repaint the jamb before installing the silicone tubing
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
Why is my weather stripping deteriorating?
Identifying Worn Weather Stripping. Weather stripping deteriorates due to age, friction, and exposure to the elements. It also can be damaged by people, pets, and pests. At least once each year, inspect your windows and doors to check for air leaks that indicate your weather stripping isn’t doing its job.
Why do we need weather stripping?
Weather stripping on windows and doors protects the home from air leaks while increasing comfort and saving energy. But as weather stripping ages, it loses its effectiveness.
Why do you face the opening of a V-shaped weather stripping?
Make sure to face the opening of V-shaped weather stripping out toward the elements to prevent moisture from getting inside.
What is a V-shaped weather strip?
V-shaped weather stripping, sometimes called tension-seal weather stripping, is the best option for the side channels of a double-hung window or a tight-fitting door. This product springs open to close gaps and plug leaky windows and doors.
What is the best gasket for a door?
Tubular rubber or vinyl gaskets prove the most effective for sealing large and irregular gaps, such as around an old door. These hollow tubes are large enough to plug big gaps but soft enough to compress nearly flat. Types that are nailed in place last longer than peel-and-stick varieties. Prices range from less than $1 per foot for peel-and-stick to $1.25 per foot for nail-in-place.
Does self adhesive tape fall off?
Self-adhesive foam tape loses its grip over time, causing it to pull away from the door or window frame -- or fall off completely . Foam also can lose its resilience, no longer springing up to fill the gap. Rubber and vinyl weather stripping becomes dry, brittle, and cracked. Over time, it can also lose its shape and effectiveness.
Is there a shortage of weather stripping?
There’s no shortage of weather stripping options at hardware stores and home improvement centers. As is often the case, the cheaper and easier the product is to install, the less effective and durable it probably is over time.
