Home Improvement

How to Insulate a Front Door

Now that winter is just on the horizon, it’s a good time to walk your home and look for any improvements you can make before the weather kicks up. Most people are good about the basics, like cleaning gutters and checking pipes, but few people take the time to investigate their weather stripping. If the weather stripping on your front door begins to crack or feel brittle, it might be time to replace it.

Choosing Weather Stripping

There are multiple types of weather stripping available to you. We will discuss self-stick foam, but you also have options like a door threshold to close the gap at the base of your door. Self-stick foam has a strip that you peel off before you apply, so it requires almost no tools to install.

Measure the Frame

The first step is to measure your door frame in preparation to install the foam. Be as precise as possible, measuring the sides and top of the door. Measure the inside of the door, as this will be where the foam will be applied. Once you have the measurements, make your cuts with a simple box cutter and the foam should separate easily. Be careful with your measurements, and be sure that you’re cutting off exactly what you need to insulate the door. If you leave gaps between the insulation, you’ll let in air and defeat the purpose.

Apply the Stripping

The stripping should apply as you run your finger along the door. Begin in one of the corners, and carefully lay the stripping down as you pass your thumb or finger over it. Review your work for bubbling and squish it down with a bit of pressure from your thumb. You may also want to run your fingers over the stripping to be sure that it has securely adhered to the door jamb.