Replacing worn or damaged weather stripping around exterior doors will save money on your energy bills.
Take a piece of the old weather stripping with you to the home improvement store so you can easily match it.
The weatherstripping in newer doors fits in a groove in the door casing. To remove it, simply pull it out.
Then cut a new piece to length, and insert it in the groove.
Older doors can be retrofit using rolls of self-adhesive foam weather stripping from The Duck Brand.
Further Information
- Installing a Door Sweep on an Entry Door (video)
- How to Save Energy by Reducing Air Infiltration (video)
- How to Make a Draft Dodger (article)
- 8 Tips to Reduce Heating Costs (article)
THERE IS OLD ADHESIVE WEATHERSTRIPPING ON MY DOOR FRAME, HOW CAN I REMOVE THE OLD, WORN OUT WEATHERSTRIPPING, SO I CAN REPLACE IT WITH NEW
Best video on the web for replacing compressiong weatherstripping. Fact is, about the only one. Maybe it is so easy no one else talks about it, but for me I wanted confirmation that I could just “yank” the old stuff out.
Thanks
My brand new Jeld-Wen door was damaged by our cat trying to get back in the house, much like the one shown in the video. I first tried to pull it out, but was not sure if the factory installed stripping could be replaced without ripping the entire door frame apart. This video saved me alot of grief (and money). Now I know it can be pulled out and replaced. Once you have it out (I started at the bottom of the door) the rest comes out easy. I took a short piece of stripping to the store to get a perfect match. Thanks Danny!
Hi Michael,
Glad to know the video helped. How to take the weatherstripping out is also a good trick to know when you’re painting a new door (which I did recently) or repainting an old one. Not only does it keep you from getting paint on the weatherstripping, but it allows you to close the door while the paint cures without it sticking to the weatherstripping.
I have the old foam weather stripping around my door. And I would like to paint the door. Is there an easy way to remove the foam weather stripping? It just seems to be pulling apart in little foam pieces. I dont think that will be good when I go back and replace it after the door is dry.
I have casement crank style windows that have a Viceroy Home stamp (vintage 1985). I’m pretty sure that Viceroy did not manufacture these, but I don’t know who did. The weather strip or gasket that fits in a groove or channel atop the crank section of the window is kind of like a L shape that slides into this groove. Any idea where I might find something like this, or what I might search for?
Thanks!
My daughter has weather stripping on the bottom of her kitchen door which prevents using a small area rug to keep debri from being carried onto her hardwood floors. Is there any way to use a weather stripping that would attach to the bottom door sill on the outside that would not have a sweep on it?
Hi Laura,
You can buy metal thresholds in differing heights that attach to the floor in the doorway and have a rubber weatherstripping on the top that the door bottom of the door fits against. It would probably require trimming the bottom of the door a bit to make it the right height and some careful adjusting for a snug fit. I have also seen a sweep that attaches to the door that raises up automatically when the door is opened. Good luck with your project!
We have 2 Repla garden doors and the air is leaking in all around the perimeter. Are you familiar with these doors and if so, how can I put in new weather stripping? Thanks.
I have weather stripping that fits in the groove in my door casing and can’t find a place to get the same kind of weather stripping that fits like that. Any suggestions where I can get it or who makes it?
Where can you purchase the “compression weatherstripping?” I have been to Home Depot and other stores, and all they have is the Frost King foam—doesn’t fit the door jamb like the compression stuff on there now.
Thanks.
How do I retrofit a Frost King threshold with another one exactly the same. The wood rotted out of the old one due to bad gutter leak at that door. (Need to replace that, too…)
Thanks.
I have replaced the vinyl weather stripping around my front door with new. It is amazing how it has stopped the cool breeze from coming in HOWEVER I cant seem to get the door closed enough to lock the door with the dead bolt or door knob. Please help!
Hi Single Lady,
If it’s the kind of weather stripping that’s attached to the door as add-on strips, you need to remove the weather stripping, close the door, and reattach the strips in the proper position. If it’s the kind of weather stripping that fits into a precut groove in the door casing, then you must have purchased a type that’s too thick for your door. Your options are to replace it with the type made to fit your door, or remove the metal strike plates for the deadbolt and lockset, cut new mortises for them with a chisel a bit further out, drill new screw holes and fill the old ones with kitchen matches, and reattach the strike plates. Good luck with your project!
I replaced the compression style weather stripping, and while this has helped with the drafts, the door is harder to close (it locks ok). Also, on some of the doors, the stripping keeps falling out when the door is opened. Could I have installed it wrong, or is this possibly the wrong size? The stores I have been visiting only carry this one size.
Good Day!
I have a steel frame. Which I believe has a “kerf” and the weather-stripping is “set in” it. I CAN replace this without ripping out the whole door and frame? WOW! Thank you! Could you help me find a place that sells compression style weatherstripping in Alberta, Canada? Do they come in multiple gauge sizes? Thank you!
I’ve got the same problem as Steve (above). I put the weather stripping in the groove and it just falls out every time we open the door. It’s really annoying. What did we do wrong?
I used foam weather stripping on my windows (between bottom of window and sill). I’ve removed everything but the very thin layer of glue(?). How can I get this off?
Hi Carolyn,
I would try mineral spirits first. If that doesn’t work, try denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner, but keep in mind that they may soften or remove the paint as well.
Good luck with your project!
I’m also having trouble finding compression weather stripping as seen in the video. Is there a specific store that carries it, or brand name I should be looking for?
With regard to cat-proofing once the weather strip is replaced, we’re thinking to add a storm door. Wonder if anyone else has an alternate solution?
Thanks
I have two exterior metal doors where air comes in at the corners on the doorknob side. The gaps is nearly 1/2″ while the weather stripping is still tight at the latch in the middle. I have tried replacing the magnetic stripping and using foam stripping, but as the thickness built up at the midpoint of the door the gap got larger at the corners. I have seen this happen before, but not as bad. Everyone says, “Metal doors don’t warp.”, but whn I lay a stright edge on them, they clearly have. Is there another solution to remedy this problem?
I really appreciated the information provided. I was wondering what you would suggest on a Non-True doorway? Over the years, it appears that the door has either shifted one way or the other, however, I can see gaps of varying lengths and heights around the door.
What would you suggest, without changing the door jam, at sealing the door? You help is greatly appreciated.
Where can i purchase compression weather stripping?
Thanks for the video. I need to hear the answer to Steve’s question. I have installed the weather stripping on two doors. One is staying in place the other isn’t. Should I nail it?
Thanks
Awesome! I wasn’t sure at first since the factory installed stripping was so tightly attached so your video gave me confidence to try a little harder. It worked and now my door looks like new!
MY SITUATION IS THIS:: THERE IS SOMEONE WHO LIVES RIGHT ABOVE ME AND THAT COLD AIR BLOWS WHEN SHE OPENS HER DOOR BECAUSE OF THE SMELLS FROM THE VENT OF THE AC AND HEAT. WHEN I TURN ON THE HEAT SHE BLOWS INTO MY APARTMENT. I LIVE IN A HIGH RISE IN A ONE BEDROOM . WHEN THE AIR BLOWS INTO MY BEDROOM AND LIVING I HAVE NO WHERE TO SLEEP. I KEEP THE HEAT ON ALL DAY AND NIGHT. BUT IT REALLY GETS COLD. I HAD A CONTRACTOR PUT NEW WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE DOOR .BUT IT IS USELESS. I NEED WEATHER METAL STRIPPING AROUND THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. WE CANNOT CHANGE THE WAY OF THE DOOR ON THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE SEEN METAL STRIPPING ALL AROUND THE DOOR TO KEEP THE AIR OUT. HOW MUCH IS IT TO HAVE THIS DONE.CAN YOU HELP ME. THANK YU EGROSSMAN
I have weather stripping that fits in the groove in my door casing and can’t find a place to get the same kind of weather stripping that fits like that. Any suggestions where I can get it or who makes it? It is a magnetic seal maybe by tago based on my research so far. I can find something like it but it is on a strip of metal i cant use the metal it will not fit in the groove. The stripping came out easy.
Thank-you, best video i found. Changed it according to simple directions given and voila. Less than a minute weather stripping changed, had been chewed by one of my cats who loves anything rubber or leather!
Hi Diana,
Glad to hear our video was of help!
Tried to replace it. Weather stripping is so hard to push in the groove, takes a lot of effort. Tried oil or soap to push in. Is there another type or am I installed it wrong the softer side should go towards door?
I am replacing weatherstripping to doors but the wood under where old weatherstripping was is grooved scratched by my cat so do I use wood filler or wood putty so the weatherstripping holds ?
This is the typical scenario. My weather stripping is the same but the previous owner nailed them in through the frame. So mine will not be as quick and easy. It never is.
Hi , I found the compression weather stripping at Rona in Canada. hope that helps.
I guess I got lucky I installed my weather strip (it was just like yours) and is was as easy as you said it would be. I also had to clip the end which was a bit too long.
I got lucky too!! My weather stripping was just like yours, removed and replaced within five minutes, JUST LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU!
bottom of door .do I have to remove door to replace strip
I did this for all my doors and the cold still comes in! What do you do if the door itself gets so cold (probably little or no insulation in it – metal door/6 years old).
Someone told me her husband did all that stuff, so I went to Home Depot looking for one of those…and they were all out of husbands. And I thought Home Depot had everything!
How do I replace damaged weather stripping at the bottom of an aluminum door?
Your video is great. I replaced the weatherstripping on the back door–so easy. However, on the front door, it seems that the slot (kerf?) is too wide and can’t hold the weatherstripping. Any suggestions?
Would it be reasonable to Gorilla Glue it in? Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Love your show, by the way. Thanks so much.
I would recommend if the gap is too wide to use wood shams around the door. What could do the trick. What do you think? Awesome , awesome video!
What is the brand of that weatherstrip, and where can I find it?
@Pat: Don’t know the brand he’s using, but that type is widely distributed (in the US at least) at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace, and similar places.
@Joel: If the door has uneven gaps, shimming the door hinges to reduce the gap should be the first place to tackle.
@Marilyn: Don’t use Gorilla Glue, you won’t be able to replace it easily (or at all!) next time. Look for a different brand with a thicker kerf, or switch to a type with adhesive backing.
It seems that you can not get a replacement weather strip for a double 8ft x 5ft. !!!! From what little I can find out for a meta strip with a vinyl slid in bulb it costs sometimes well over 100 bucks per 8ft . piece you can get two 7ft. and one 3ft. for 20 bucks !!?? I can’t seem to find the vinyl slide bulb material I hope someone has someone good suggestions ???
I did not see the answer for the following since I have the same problems. But my door is wooden front door with glass in middle.
“How do I replace damaged weather stripping at the bottom of an aluminum door”
My exterior door is 30+ years old and the new weather stripping is thicker that what I have, 3/32 VS 1/4 how do I trim the new strip for use?? The door is very hard to close for me and impossible for my wife!!!
Hi, Don!
We recommend submitting questions involving unique situations like yours to the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show.
Please use this form to contact Danny Lipford, America’s Home Expert, directly: https://todayshomeowner.com/radio/ask-questions/
Take care!
Is there a trick in replacing kerf-in door weather stripping as my hands and fingers have been taxed in doing so?
I cannot get the old weatherstripping out of the mortise.