As winter approaches, homeowners across Canada begin to think about ways to keep their homes warm and energy efficient. One often overlooked aspect is the exterior door. A properly weatherproofed door can reduce drafts, lower energy bills, and enhance comfort.
In this guide, Master Doors explores practical tips to ensure your exterior door is ready to withstand the harsh winter.
The Importance of Door Alignment
A misaligned door can make even the best weatherproofing efforts ineffective. Here’s what you need to do:
- Check if your door fits straight within its frame.
- If you notice any issues, take the time to adjust the hinges, strike plate, and latches.
- Reset and shim hinges to even out gaps around the door and make it easier to weatherstrip later.
- Adjust strike plates and latches to ensure the door fits snugly in its frame.
Tips for Sealing the Gaps
Gaps around your door are prime culprits for heat loss. To address them, conduct a thorough inspection of your door, including the frame and threshold. Be sure to look for visible gaps, feel for drafts, or use a candle to detect air movement. Pay special attention to the space between double doors if you have them.
Once you’ve identified the problem areas, you’ll want to apply weatherstripping to your door. Here’s how to apply it effectively:
- Choose the right material. Options include wrapped foam, metal flange, vinyl, or silicone bulbs.
- Measure and cut the weatherstripping to fit flush along the entire door length.
- Clean the door frame thoroughly before installation.
- Tack the weatherstripping in place, ensuring a tight seal when the door is closed.
If your door is slightly warped or irregular, foam tape can be an excellent solution. Choose a high-quality, sticky foam tape and apply it to areas where you detect air leaks.
Tips for Tackling Sweeps and Door Bottoms
The bottom of the door is often the largest source of drafts. Here are two effective solutions:
Option A: Install a Door Sweep
Choose a bristle sweep that can be attached without trimming the door. For uneven floors, you may want to consider sweeps with rollers for better adaptation. To apply the door sweep, measure the door width, cut the sweep accordingly, and screw the sweep into place to ensure it creates a tight seal when the door is closed.
Option B: Attach a New Door Bottom with Integral Sweep
For enhanced protection, you can select a door bottom with an integral sweep and drip edge. You may need to adjust the threshold height or plane the bottom of the door slightly. If planing is necessary, remember to seal the exposed wood by painting it before attaching the new door bottom.
Advanced Techniques for Maximum Protection
Create a Double Seal
For those living in particularly harsh climates or those who want the best door insulation, install tube baskets with metal backing on the outside of your exterior door. To apply them, cut them to length using tin snips and screw or tack them in place, ensuring they’re snug against the door. This can provide an extra layer of protection against the cold.
Apply New Caulking
Caulking is an often overlooked but crucial step in door weatherproofing as it can make a major difference in your door’s insulation properties. Follow the below steps:
- Inspect the caulking around your door frame annually.
- Remove old, degraded caulk.
- Clean the area thoroughly.
- Apply new caulking to create a weatherproof seal.
The Benefits of Proper Weatherproofing Your Exterior Door:
Investing time in weatherproofing your exterior door offers numerous benefits, including improved temperature control, major energy savings, enhanced indoor air quality, and increased home value. Proper weatherproofing of your exterior door is a wise investment that pays off in comfort, efficiency, and long-term value for your home.
Contact Master Doors for Quality Exterior Doors in Canada!
While these weatherproofing tips can improve your current door’s performance, sometimes the best solution is a replacement. At Master Doors, we offer a wide range of high-quality, energy-efficient exterior doors designed to withstand the Canadian climate. Our team can help you choose the perfect door for your home and ensure it’s properly installed for maximum efficiency.
For more information or to get a quote on an exterior door for your home, contact us today!
