Simple Job to Lower Your Heating Bill

Ever stand near an unweatherstripped door on a cold night? Chances are that you noticed a distinct chill in the air. And when the wind blows, you can actually feel the cool air passing around the door directly into the room.

Of course, the passage of cold air into the house is accompanied by warm air leaving the house. So unless you like the idea of taking the edge off winter in your entire neighborhood, weatherstripping your exterior doors is essential.

Door weatherstripping is normally a two-stage process: First, install a “door sweep” at the bottom to seal between the door and threshold. Second, install “jamb-set” weatherstripping to seal around the perimeter of the door.

Both types of weatherstripping are available at most building supply stores.

A door sweep consists of an aluminum strip with a flexible vinyl edge that attaches to the lower portion of the door. When the door is shut, the vinyl edge contacts the threshold below the door to form a seal (which also helps keep bugs and rodents out).

Door sweeps come in a variety of designs. Most are a flat design about 1 1/2 inches wide, but some are made in an “L” or “U” shape that wraps under the door to help protect the lower edge from moisture. And some are built with a spring-loaded hinged flap that lifts automatically when the door opens to clear carpet or a throw rug. They come in a number of colors.

All of them are designed for fairly easy do-it-yourself installation.

Jamb-set weatherstripping is similar to a door sweep in that it is also an aluminum strip about an inch wide with a soft vinyl edge, but it is attached to the door jambaround the perimeter of the door rather than to the door itself. It works just like a refrigerator door gasket in that it forms a tight seal around the perimeter of the door when the door is shut.

Jamb-set stripping also comes in a number of colors and is also designed for easy do-it-yourself installation.

For double doors that meet in the center, use door sweeps at the bottom and jamb-set weather stripping at the perimeter, but in the middle between the doors seal the crack with a product called “open-cell foam weatherstrip tape.” This is a strip of easily compressed foam rubber about one-quarter inch thick with a self-adhesive backing. It is easily attached to the “astragal,” the wood strip that covers that gap between the doors, to form a tight seal. Expect it to last only a year or two before losing its elasticity. Fortunately, it is easily removed and replaced.

Regardless of which type of weatherstripping you install, always check the operation of the door lock sets to assure everything is properly adjusted.

What You’ll Need for This Project

* Tape measure

* Hacksaw

* Screwdriver

* Hammer

* “Jamb-set” weatherstripping

* “Door-sweep” weatherstripping

* “Open-cell” foam weatherstrip tape

*

Gary Abrams is a general contractor who has written about home improvement for The Times for 10 years. Comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 711, Thousand Oaks, CA 91319. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Or e-mail him at homedoc1@hotmail.com.