Home Improvement and DIY
Find the gap, choose the right seal, and fit it for an easy close.
A door can feel shut and still leak air. Check whether the gap is at a side jamb, the top, or the threshold before choosing a seal.
On a breezy day, move a hand or lightweight tissue around the closed door, especially at upper corners and where the door meets the threshold.
Side and top jambs can use compatible compression seals, foam tape, or kerf-in seals. The bottom needs a product designed to meet the threshold or floor.
Remove loose, cracked, or flattened weatherstripping and carefully clear leftover adhesive. Clean the mounting area as directed, then let it dry fully.
Install one jamb at a time using the product’s specified method. Position the seal where the closed door will press against it without blocking the latch or hinges.
Use a sweep when air passes under the door and it can meet the threshold. Set it for even contact across the width, without heavy scraping or dragging.
Close and latch the door, then check the full perimeter with paper and look for daylight. The seal should resist steadily while the door closes normally.
Replace seals that are split, brittle, permanently flattened, detached, or no longer touch the closed door. A shifted door or threshold can also cause gaps.
Most jamb seals and adhesive-backed products install with the door in place. A sweep commonly fits while the door stays on its hinges; follow product instructions.
Choose adhesive-backed foam only when it is rated for the door’s location and exposure. The finished seal should block air without buckling or making the door hard to latch.
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