You know that feeling when sitting in your living room, cozy under a blanket, and suddenly a cold breeze sneaks through the door. It’s a subtle reminder that winter is on its way and your home might not be as sealed up as you’d like.
Before the temperatures drop for good, now’s the time to track down those sneaky drafts around your doors. A little maintenance now can make a big difference in comfort and energy bills later.
How to tell if your door is letting in a draft
You don’t need any special tools to check for a draft, just a few simple tricks:
- The hand test: Run your hand slowly around the edges of the door. If you feel cool air, there’s likely a gap.
- The flashlight test: At night, have someone shine a flashlight along the outside edges while you watch from inside. If you see light seeping through, air is getting through, too.
- The paper test: Close the door on a sheet of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal isn’t tight enough.
- Rising utility bills: Sometimes the first clue isn’t physical at all; higher heating costs can signal escaping warm air.
Common reasons doors get drafty
Drafts usually appear for a few simple reasons:
- Old or worn weatherstripping: Over time, rubber and foam seals lose flexibility or fall apart, leaving gaps.
- Settled or misaligned doors: Houses shift slightly as they age, which can throw the frame out of alignment.
- Worn thresholds and door sweeps: These protect the bottom of your door but can crack, warp or wear down after years of use.
- Cracked caulk or loose trim: Even a small split around the door frame can let in a surprising amount of cold air.
- Warped door panels: Wood and fiberglass expand and contract with temperature changes, sometimes creating gaps you can’t easily see.
Simple ways to fix a drafty door
Once you’ve pinpointed where the air is coming in, here’s how to stop it:
- Check and replace weatherstripping: Remove the old material and clean the surface before installing new weatherstripping. Foam tape, rubber bulb seals or V-strip are all easy DIY options that cost less than a night out.
- Tighten hinges and hardware: Loose screws can make the door sag slightly, creating a gap at the top or sides. Tighten the hinges, and if needed, adjust the strike plate so the latch fits snugly.
- Add or replace a door sweep: That little strip at the bottom of your door does a big job. If it’s torn or missing, replace it. Most slide or screw into place in minutes.
- Seal around the trim: Use exterior-grade caulk to fill cracks where the frame meets the wall. It’s a simple fix that keeps out both cold air and moisture.
- Inspect the threshold: If it’s adjustable, raise it just enough to touch the bottom of the door. If it’s warped or cracked, it may be time to replace it this season.
Most of these fixes can be handled in an afternoon with a few basic tools and a little patience.
When a quick fix isn’t enough
If you’ve done everything right and still feel a chill, the issue might be the door itself. Older doors, especially wooden ones, can warp or shrink over time, making it impossible to achieve a tight seal. In those cases, upgrading to a newer, energy-efficient model may be the best long-term solution.
A modern replacement door won’t just stop drafts; it can also freshen up your home’s look and improve energy performance for years to come.
Don’t wait for the first freeze
A drafty door might now seem like a big deal right now, but once the cold really hits, every bit of lost warmth adds up. Checking for drafts early helps you avoid higher heating costs and keeps your home more comfortable all season long.
So grab a flashlight, a roll of weatherstripping and maybe a cup of coffee and give your doors a quick inspection this weekend. A few small adjustments today can make a big difference when winter comes knocking.
Don’t wait until the first cold snap to find out your door isn’t doing its job. Contact us today so we can ensure you enjoy a warmer, more comfortable home all winter long.
