To effectively close a door draft, you need to identify and seal the gaps around all edges of the door frame—top, sides, and bottom—as well as address specific openings like letterboxes and keyholes.
Understanding Door Drafts and Their Impact
Door drafts are unwanted air leaks that allow outside air to enter your home and conditioned indoor air to escape. These seemingly small gaps can significantly impact your home's energy efficiency, leading to higher heating and cooling bills. Beyond energy waste, drafts can cause uncomfortable cold spots, introduce dust, and even allow outdoor noise to infiltrate your living space. Sealing these drafts is a cost-effective way to improve comfort and reduce energy consumption.
Effective Strategies for Sealing Door Drafts
Closing a door draft involves a combination of products and techniques tailored to specific areas of the door.
Sealing Gaps Around the Door Frame
The most common source of door drafts is the perimeter of the door where it meets the frame. Ensuring the top and sides are properly sealed is crucial for comprehensive draft proofing.
Weatherstripping for Top and Sides
Weatherstripping is a flexible material designed to fill the gaps between the door and its frame when the door is closed. It creates a tight seal that blocks air movement.
- Foam Tape: An inexpensive and easy-to-install option, foam tape adheres to the door stop (the strip of wood inside the frame). It compresses when the door closes, sealing the gap.
- V-Strip (Tension Seal): Made of metal or plastic, V-strips fold into a "V" shape and are installed along the frame where the door closes. They spring open to seal the gap when the door is shut.
- Compression Weatherstripping: More durable options, often made of rubber or silicone, are fitted into grooves in the door frame or attached to the frame's surface. They compress against the door when closed, offering a very effective and long-lasting seal.
Door Sweeps and Draft Stoppers for the Bottom
The gap beneath the door is a major culprit for drafts.
- Door Sweeps: These are strips of material (often brush, vinyl, or rubber) that attach to the bottom of the door. As the door closes, the sweep drags along the threshold or floor, creating a barrier against drafts. They are available in various styles, including internal and external mounts.
- Draft Stoppers (Door Snakes): These are fabric tubes filled with insulating material (like sand or rice) that are placed against the bottom of the door on the inside. While less permanent, they offer an immediate and flexible solution for blocking drafts, especially for interior doors or temporary use.
- Under-Door Draft Guards: Similar to door sweeps, these attach to the bottom of the door and slide along with it, sealing the gap from both sides simultaneously.
Addressing Threshold Gaps
An old or damaged threshold can also be a source of drafts.
- Adjustable Thresholds: Some thresholds can be adjusted up or down to create a tighter seal with the bottom of the door or a door sweep. Ensure your threshold is level and that the door sweep makes good contact.
- New Threshold Installation: In cases of severe damage or an improperly sized threshold, replacing it might be necessary for an optimal seal.
Securing Letterboxes and Keyholes
Sometimes, drafts originate from smaller, often overlooked openings in the door itself.
Letterbox Seals
Letterboxes are direct conduits for outdoor air. To draft proof your letterbox, fit a letterbox seal. These seals typically consist of brush strips or spring-loaded flaps that cover the opening from the inside, preventing air from flowing freely through. They are easy to install and significantly reduce drafts.
Keyhole Covers
A small keyhole can still allow a surprising amount of cold air in. Simple keyhole covers, often magnetic or with a swiveling plate, can effectively block these small drafts.
Caulking and Sealants for Fixed Gaps
For fixed gaps around the door frame where it meets the wall, caulk or sealant is the ideal solution. This is particularly useful for exterior doors where the frame might not be perfectly flush with the wall. Choose a high-quality, paintable caulk suitable for exterior use (if applicable) and apply it neatly to seal any cracks or gaps.
Common Draft-Proofing Solutions at a Glance
| Solution | Area Addressed | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weatherstripping | Top, Sides | Flexible strips (foam, rubber, V-strip) applied to the door frame to seal gaps when the door is closed. | Effective, durable seal; various types for different gaps. |
| Door Sweeps | Bottom | Strips attached to the bottom of the door that brush against the floor/threshold. | Blocks drafts without impeding door operation. |
| Draft Stoppers | Bottom | Fabric tubes placed against the door bottom (internal). | Simple, temporary, no installation needed. |
| Letterbox Seals | Letterbox Opening | Brush or flap covers installed over the letterbox opening. | Prevents cold air, dust, and noise through mail slot. |
| Keyhole Covers | Keyhole | Small covers (magnetic, swiveling) that block the keyhole opening. | Stops drafts through tiny, often overlooked holes. |
| Caulk/Sealant | Frame-to-Wall Gaps | Flexible sealant applied to fixed gaps around the door frame. | Permanent seal for non-moving parts; prevents air leakage. |
Benefits of Draft Proofing
By implementing these strategies, you'll experience several benefits:
- Reduced Energy Bills: Less air leakage means your heating and cooling systems don't have to work as hard, leading to significant savings.
- Increased Comfort: Eliminating drafts ensures a more consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, free from cold spots.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: Draft proofing can help keep out dust, allergens, and moisture.
- Noise Reduction: A tighter seal around your door can also help dampen external noise.
Closing door drafts is a simple yet impactful home improvement project that enhances comfort, saves energy, and improves your living environment.
