How to prepare house doors for the winter

How to install weather stripping

It is as easy as it gets. Though, there is an important step to take.

The important step is to well clean the adhesion area of the frame. Most likely you'd buy some weather stripping which is self-adhesive. In this case, it is extremely important to prepare the frame before sticking the stripping to it.

Here are a few easy tips to prepare the frame: First and foremost, wipe any dirt, dust, or other residues off the rame where the stripping will be. For the bonus point, check that area for any sticking-out particles, paint, or anything that makes the surface non-flat and smooth. Ideally, you will want to see a clean, flat, and even surface. Another extra step you might want to take is to use some degreaser all the way around the frame where the strip will be. It will allow for better adhesion of the weather stripping. Finally, do the last wipe to get rid of anything that could be left from the previous steps. At this point, the weather stripping adhesion area should be clean, dry, evenly flat, and free of any particles or liquids.

Now is the time to attach the stripping. You can start from any corner you like. The ideal application would give a solid line of weather stripping without any gaps. Even if the stripping bends well at the corners of the door frame, you'd still have to attach two ends together. This is where some potential air leaks could be. So, try doing your best to make clean cuts o the ends of the stripping you will be attaching to avoid any gaps where air could flow. Even if you do the best job ever, a little gap will still be there. To insulate it you could just glue together two ends of the stipping.

Corners tip. If the stripping doesn't bend well, which most likely it is not, do the following: Cut both matching ends of the weather stripping at a 45° angle. Then glue together two ends if they do not provide a perfect match. This will create a perfect air-tight connection.

How to fix door frame air leak

It is not something that easy, but any DIYer would have no problem doing it.

Before starting, prepare by having at least the means to remove and reattach door frame molding. You will also need a caulking gun with a tube construction adhesive or construction silicone. An alternative would be to use some construction foam, but it is messy and could potentially damage some siding or molding while expanding if not applied properly.

Fixing the leak: From the outside of the house take off the outer frame molding. Once off, see if you could spot any gaps where the air could get through. Apply chosen product to any visible gaps. If you see none, but the air was blowing through, apply the product all around the door frame attachment to the wall. While applying, try to make it a solid even line penetrating into any gaps between the wall and the door frame. The more gaps between the door frame and the door box of the wall are filled the better. Once the product is applied, attach the molding back to the door frame.

Clean any possible drips of the product and you are done.