How to Weatherstrip a Wood Door | This Old House
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva enhances the energy efficiency of an old, drafty door. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Weatherstripping, or attaching seals around an entryway door to fill in the gaps, is essential to maintaining the energy efficiency of your home in the winter (keeping the chilly air out) and in the summer (keeping the air conditioning in). Consider that even a tiny 1/8-inch gap around a typical entryway door is equivalent to having a 5 ½-inch-diameter hole on an outside wall. Closing that gap can go a long way in lowering your energy bill.
Shopping List for How to Weatherstrip a Wood Door:
- Mechanical weather stripping, for sealing door in opening
- Flexible, push-in weather stripping, for sealing head and side jambs
- Tung oil, used to seal routed groove
Tools for How to Weatherstrip a Wood Door:
- Hammer, used to remove and replace the hinge pins
- Router and straight bit, for cutting a groove into the bottom end of the door
- 3-inch paintbrush, used to apply tung oil
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How to Weatherstrip a Wood Door | This Old House
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Пікірлер: 153
The bottom isn't what most people are going to do but it's a shame this video has so little views. I would much rather watch Tom Silva explain something so I'm happy I found this.
@Sk-ie1ct
6 жыл бұрын
xex2kok
You sir are great!! I remembered watching this video of yours a few days back, and as I was installing this weatherstrip today which wouldn't just slide underneath my room's door, I decided to remove the door to be able to do so, and despite 0 past experience with this stuff, I was quite at ease removing the door with nothing but the knowledge acquired from your video!! Thank you sir and plesse keep up the good work. And really sweet to see both of you contributing towards the upgrade.
I've neither seen nor heard of that piece of weather stripping he installed along the bottom of that door! That is ingenious.
@csassin
4 жыл бұрын
They're a Little pricey but worth it. Most theatre rooms have these,work great to seal in sound as well.
@thefriendlyhuman
4 жыл бұрын
Automatic Door Bottom is typically what they're called.
@oldtwinsna8347
4 жыл бұрын
I wish hotel rooms would install these... some of those gaps can be ridiculous sized.
@3pumpkins170
3 жыл бұрын
Where can you buy it? What's the brand?
@tomscholefield1034
3 жыл бұрын
you can get different ones but they are usually called drop down seals in the uk
That's what I am talking about. A Gale and failed wx stripping. So nice to see this is not only my problem. Thank you for addressing what may seem mundane.
I need this guy at my house. I have an old door I would very much like to keep but dang the amount of cold air that comes in at the bottom. Great vid.
I love these videos. They're so short, straight-forward, and informative.
Everyone needs a Tom
This lady is great! You can see that she loves that door and knows her way around it. Next time she'll fix it herself.
Tommy's the best. He's always wicked smaht!
Tom Silva is awesome.
@animal79thecat
6 жыл бұрын
thats what she said
@5tonyvvvv
5 жыл бұрын
Tom is the man! I hope he lives past 100!
@atomicorang
2 жыл бұрын
He knows it all
@marileesteele1804
2 жыл бұрын
Ansolutely no way, shape or form etc. is this DIY. Remove the door, holy moly, it’s TV, get real.
@DouglasGross6022
2 жыл бұрын
@@marileesteele1804 Pop out three pins and the door is out. That's the easiest part.
One thing that aggravates me is when TOH does these improvement projects, they use products that the normal Joe does not have access to. For example, this bottom door insulation gizmo is not readily available at local home improvement stores (like HD or Lowe’s or even Ace Hardware). They do that all the time using items that the normal homeowner diyer does not have immediate access to. One has to order special items like that. Most aggravating.
Oh wow that's really heavy duty
@JCANPetros
5 жыл бұрын
James C lol...I laughed when she said that.
I'd install that mechanical weather strip on our garage access door, front doors, and back door
Nothing like a good ole weather strippin'
@MyGreenNest
4 жыл бұрын
Chrisgtoman lol
Please explain what the guide was, and were to get it, for the router to cut the dado in the door’s bottom for the mechanically triggered weatherstripping to be installed into the door. Thanks!
@ba32223
2 жыл бұрын
Looks like it's called an automatic door bottom.
@davidclark6694
Жыл бұрын
@@ba32223 that's not what he asked. He asked about the plastic guide on the router.
I was looking for some stickers to put on my door and this guy's goes inspector gadget on his door lol. I wish I was that handy
Good job I wonder how much I charge to do this
I installed interlocking aluminum & bronze weatherstripping for many years. It’s the best there is when done properly, & will last for decades. Not easy though.
I asked this question about weatherstripping the bottom for exterior doors BUT it was for fiberglass and/or metal exterior doors at home?
Great !
What if you don’t have a channel to insert the weatherstripping, does the foam weather stripping work the same.
Michelle Walters - weather stripping is a roll of skinny tape that is thicker / made a foam... you stick it to the door frame, where the door presses up against the frame.
Where do you buy the thing he pit on the bottom of the door.
Where is the link for bottom adjustable threshold?
Hey Tom, what about when the bottom has a metal strike plate that's screwed to the floor with the stripping attached to the floor rather than the door?
what is the best for Arizona weatherstripping our doors are all uneven, gaps and all. dust, heat,wind, bugs..i a can actually see light coming through too.. The glue type i don't would hold here. was thinking of # 91850 md products..seals gap up to 1/2 inch...aluminum with vinyl- coated foam seal. The threshold not sure what to do before the heat comes.. help..
Question: this is not a critic but a real question. When we used ton install good old bronze strips, the logic was to put the strips so the wind would push them on the jamb/side of doors, thus increasing the quality of the weatherstrips seals. Why not the same logic apply to the foam that as the "same" kind of shape/logic of bronze weatherstrips ?
Great IF you have the router and bit to do the cut.
Where do I find this threshold mechanism? I want one.
Whats that weather strip you used. We have that on our door and I'm trying to find that exact one but don't know the name for it
Average price for the automatic door bottom is from $50-$70.
How do you do a French door? Mine doesn't close all the way because of the weather stripping and it only works if I push the door closed and lock with the deadbolt
Put up a storm door too. Even better.
@Detroitblue
4 жыл бұрын
Then you have to weather strip the storm door for the small gaps in the corners and still you might do well to add weather stripping to the main door.
Hi Mr. Silva, It seems as the plastic guide was inadvertently deleted from the tools list sometime in the last 6 years. I saw the same question as far back as 4 years ago. Please re-list the item. Or, if you borrowed it from someone, please let us know who. I've been watching you for many years; love your work.
wow thats is very practical i dont know if this sell in my country indonesia....:(
@JCANPetros
5 жыл бұрын
Yuhana Dewi do you need that level of sealing in Indonesia?
Nuff said
Where can I buy that mechanical door sweep? I cant seem to find it online
The Automatic Door Bottom/Drop Down Seal seems a bit much to me & rather flimsy aside from the huge piece that has to be taken out of the door. I can't believe it prevents the cold coming through it 24/7 & that a strong wind wouldn't move it...if it lay flat correctly in the 1st place. What a pain to have to fix the door once this thing wears out in a couple of years.
where do you get weather stripping for the bottom of the door? I've never found it in Texas?
@artmajester
8 жыл бұрын
+Theresa Doggett Pemko and National Guard are two companies that I have found so far.
@myc0p
4 жыл бұрын
Search for "automatic door bottom"
tommy or anyone: i get the kerf insert................but how is the metal kerf installed if there is not one ty
Hey Tom: Where did you get the guide tool to dado the door bottom for the recessed draft stop. The guide seems to attach to the router, does the router manufacturer offer these items? Thanks. Russ Johnson LHS Class of 65
@Detroitblue
4 жыл бұрын
Right!
@Detroitblue
4 жыл бұрын
After investing a fair bit of time chasing this down I found this to be a fairly pricy rig. The plexiglass one used is the Video is offered my Festool and is the most expensive of all However you can go with the M-Power CRB7 Router Base $85 and the M-power CRB7 Mortise mate $75. The $160 invested does not even account for decent plunge Router. But the Ryobi sells for about $100 and is the cheapest full featured one I have seen. Don't forget the bit set. It is shame that won't find many uses after you do your door.
Can i apply varnish on a outdoor that has slightly been rained...? Before it puffs out?
@jamest3552
Жыл бұрын
Depends on how saturated it got and if it stayed wet very long. Dry it out first, then try the varnish.
Hi
It's one of the easiest ways to save on your heating bill, but somehow gets overlooked.
@whommee
9 жыл бұрын
Your absolutely correct Charles. The residential industry trend has been to skimp on the quality of Door Finish Hardware,, quality finish hardware, even though it is much pricier in initial cost, saves money in the long haul. both in longevity, and in this case thermal , moisture and insect protection.
Weatherstripping or weatherstrippin? I'm so confused.😀
@laurabrown1474
3 жыл бұрын
One of the Best Ideas of SoundProofing is "SoundProof Curtains" That Stops Outside Noise by 80% (25 Db) Tested. Check Here: livesoundproof.com/best-soundproof-curtains/
What if my door jam doesn't have a .. are you saying "curve" or "Curf" - anyway I don't have that so I cannot use weather stripping, can the groove be added?
@bridgesgijsbers6349
4 жыл бұрын
@DenkertM thank you, I ended up actually getting the kind that screws into your door frame. it's aluminum, has a rubber strip that pops into it- and you cut it to the right size and it screws in. I thought it would look ghetto but it actually looks normal once it's on - therefore I think a lot of doors have it but i've never noticed since it looked commonplace after I installed.
@SamMingolelli
3 жыл бұрын
He's saying kerf, the groove in the door where you can install the strippnig. - www.esabna.com/us/en/education/blog/what-is-cutting-kerf.cfm.
Hi MR. Silva, we got our house in 2010 the house is from 1883. I remold all and try to save the front double vintage door. Nevertheless I am having a hard time make it weather proof i love that idea of the mechanical strip, i have no idea even where to get that. Can you please help me any suggestion. I appreciate any suggestion and admire your work thank you Venilde
So is copper strips not any good.
So what do you do when old weather stripping won't come out, like if the spline seems to be glued in place?
@jamest3552
Жыл бұрын
Move.
Where can one buy the router jig he uses to cut the mortise at the bottom of the door? Or is there a simpler and safe way to do it with a circular saw?
@bamatina777
8 жыл бұрын
+Eppesuig I don't have the room in my small 2 bedroom garden home with no garage to store tools needed to do this kind of work. I just want a simple seal around the doors to keep out the rain water, hot air, and bugs. This video doesn't help me much :-(
@galtha5824
5 жыл бұрын
@@bamatina777 Buy the kind of seal for the bottom of the door that screws to the side of the door and adjusts. Don't have to take the door off.
Could you not use a brad nailer to hold it in place to make it less conspicuous?
@chrisburns5691
3 жыл бұрын
no
Surender Singh good door ssere
These strips wont fit in my door jambs because the gap is huge. A guy from local store said, doors setup before 1990 need a different strip and no body sells these weather strips now. Any solution?
@chrisburns5691
3 жыл бұрын
jamb mounted weatherstripping.
Francis' lines were so scripted 😂
Hi, I just watched you video on the mechanical door weather stripping (ext door when closed the weather strip drops down). I can't find any link to where to purchase the system. Are they available at National Lumber or direct from the manufacturer? thanks
@donkaspar5336
8 жыл бұрын
+edtam268 It's called an Automatic Door Bottom. Pemko makes them. They're more typically used in commercial applications. A little pricey , but efficient. If your door is without an overhang you should add a drip above it.
What if my front door doesn't have that kerf? Any insulation for that? Thanks!
@trelawnyg
7 жыл бұрын
If your front door jam doesn't already have a kerf channel, you would have to retrofit your door assembly. That involves cutting the door jams back about 1/2" and then routing around the sides and top to create the kerf channel. You would be better off choosing another effective and affordably priced weatherproofing solution: Top and Side Door Jamb Weatherproof Set with vinyl compressing bulb. Installation is fairly quick- you just nail the aluminum strips around your door jam.
@anti0918
5 жыл бұрын
There is screw-in weather stripping that you can put around the sides and top. You don't need to cut anything.
@1Akanan1
3 жыл бұрын
there is vinyl spring-loaded strips that you screw on the door jam.
A tad bit on the expensive side, would be nice if my landlord would just replace these windows and doors with something a bit more up to date. It's cold out and you can literally feel the cross breeze coming from these wooden single pane windows and doors. It's a 1947 house and it's built mainly of stone and wood, even has eye knob wiring still! Any idea's on how to insulate it?
@Ms_AP_
5 жыл бұрын
Most people install plastic window insulation on the inside of those old windows in the winter time. Remove in the Summer. Pretty cheap and fairly easy to do. You'd also want to use real drapes that close and have a thermal lining as a back. They can make a huge difference. Even better if the rod curves around on each side so the drapes actually touch the walls and there is no gap. Check Goodwill or a thrift shop for those drapes because new ones can be very expensive. If you owned the house but couldn't afford to replace the windows, people usually install storm windows on the exterior on top of those old windows. Habitat for Humanity stores often sell them or they can be purchased new. For the doors, foam weather stripping that has a peel and stick back is very cheap and would help quite a bit. Buy a few packs at a home improvement store for less than $10. It's usually gray or white.
@TheChupacabra
2 жыл бұрын
@@Ms_AP_ what a Good Samaritan commenter 🍻
I live in an apartment in Chicago and cannot install the mechanical apparatus to the bottom of my door. But the bottom gap is large and drafty! My landlord won't do anything about it...what does everyone suggest as the best alternative to a mechanical door sweep?
@bummfire
3 жыл бұрын
They make under-door weatherstripping that's compression fit (www.homedepot.com/p/Cinch-36-in-White-Slide-On-Under-Door-Seal-43336/205573049).
@SWANYAWN
2 жыл бұрын
Perhaps use o foam "noodle" that sells for 1-3 dollars . Also, fill cloth tubing with sand to place against the door's bottom measured to the length of doorway. You can make several coverings that can be washed and changed as needed and made in the color and pattern you can decorate for the season or occasion.
@jamest3552
Жыл бұрын
Move. Landlords should not be rewarded for poor maintenance.
That plunge router, and jig from Festool with vacuum attachment ain't for the avg Tom. $$$$$$$
Francis: “you talk funny” Tom: “you talk funny” 😂
FRANCIS GIT OVER HERE
I see your problem right away lol. Your door was installed backwards. And your welcome mat is on the inside 😂
Out of the 678k views, I bet 0.001% have actually done this lol. Rounding up, that would be 7 people which still feels too high.
I cannot find that weather stripping at the bottom of the door anywhere. Any suggestions?
@spikefivefivefive
6 жыл бұрын
A door "shoe"
@galtha5824
5 жыл бұрын
Scroll up to an older reply. Someone provided a link for the item.
Anyone know what brand of kerf stripping that is?
@Dickster48
6 жыл бұрын
It is either from Pemko or perhaps Dorbin. You Tube has videos on both.
@MrMilesdad
6 жыл бұрын
I would guess it is Schlegel Q-lon. EFI sells it.
Not every average Joann has the tools or SKILL to make a dado at the bottom of a door.
Cheaper and easier to use the same foam jam weatherstrip in the bottom of the door.
@galtha5824
5 жыл бұрын
You can also buy a simple sweep weatherstripping piece that screws to the side of the bottom of the door. Don't even need to take the door off the hinges. Several options out there. Most people are not going to cut a groove in the bottom of the door if it is a DIY project. Especially if they don't already have a router and a guide to do it easily.
Central karpenter general Hello Arief
@a.r.ariefarief1028
6 жыл бұрын
Arief Ar my working doesn't really Indore carpenter TV cabinet kitchen cabinet hearts 9902015973
I gotta remove the whole door?! 👓😧
480p? wth?
Tom Silva is literally God is there anything these Saints don't have a video on?
@patrickm.parisou8328
5 жыл бұрын
If Tom Silva is your version of a “literal god” then I believe you may need to adjust your meds, 40 watt.
@Detroitblue
4 жыл бұрын
@@patrickm.parisou8328 You jest but your humor is steeped in western interpretation of God. In ancient times and other cultures a God could be a being that wields power, control and mastery over some aspect of life that is not given to the common mortal. To describe a God did not bring to mind the Creator or God Almighty. I guess one might say there are lower Gods and Higher Gods. Jesus alse reminded the Jews that the scriptures teach " we too are Gods" john 10:34 Just saying.
I think it would work great if the bottom of your door is NOT parallel to the threshold
@jazzjohn2
4 жыл бұрын
Seems like it would because it looks like it can rest at an angle if necessary.
خالد
You can use Woodglut and plans. The best plans and very detailed instructions. You can learn a lot from them and do it yourself.
The carpenter who installed the weather stripping for my door stapled it in. Not fun getting the staples out.
@Detroitblue
4 жыл бұрын
Probably had no slot. I just watched a similar episode and he cut the slot with a power tool. And that is the trick. Who has these specialty tool for a once in a lifetime fix on a door. I mean if you get it done right when is the next time you will need to cut a gap in along the bottom of a door?
@MsJfraser
4 жыл бұрын
@@Detroitblue There is a slot, but the strip I put into it doesn't fit wel which is likely why it was stapled into place.
@Detroitblue
4 жыл бұрын
@@MsJfraser Why are you removing the staples? Are you redoing the weather stripping?
@MsJfraser
4 жыл бұрын
@@Detroitblue The plan was to add a strip the upper part of the door frame. Because the remainder were moldy, I decided to replace the whole lot. I noteced that Mr. Silva did not use staples, so not sure if this is the norm or not.
@Detroitblue
4 жыл бұрын
@@MsJfraser When talking home improvements it is not so much what is normal as it is being satisfied with the solution, the results and the costs. If you are getting great insulation and it is not unsightly. In appearance then live with it for a few years.
I'm struggling with a doors on an old house. The gap thickness is not the same for more than a couple feet on the sides. I put in a threshold but it's a bit short, but biggest I could find. I can probably find a sweep short enough to close the gap despite the unevenness but the uneven sides have a good 5 or 6 different thicknesses of gap and the white peel and stick stuff isn't doing it.
wodaalmer
Does anyone have the part number for that mechanically actuated weatherstrip?
@BradleyPecue
4 жыл бұрын
The exact one he used. www.autodoorandhardware.com/Ngp-223NA-E-Z-Touch-Automatic-Door-Bottom-For-36-p/ngp-223na-36.htm
I have that door steal. The problem is I live in an older home and there is no "groove" in the door frame so that the door steal snaps in like in the video. Bummer now I have to return the items. Anyone have any suggestions?
@jamest3552
Жыл бұрын
Used adhesive backed weather stripping.
Too bad Tom isn't my neighbor.
Only mistake in whole scenario is that your door swung inside. If it could open to outside then you could use that kerf type weatherstrip all around door including sill and no issues of air or water leaks to inside.
Real easy DIY solution....NOT>....lol
Uh...as is usual...they fix newer homes with fancy cuts already present and simply replace the old stripping. Also, install a part that most people cannot because we don't want to buy a special tool for one job and neeato gadget. How about a 1950 house with metal channel weatherstrip? I gave up on this show long ago. Oversimplified solutions, or rip off half the house and call several contractors seems to be the " answer" to problems.
@chrisburns5691
3 жыл бұрын
use jamb mounted would be easiest. or buy the tool, or replace the whole unit.
I don't like the idea of cutting a gtoove into the bottom of an antique oak door
@DKMTS
6 жыл бұрын
That door is 30 years old tops.
@spikefivefivefive
6 жыл бұрын
Use a door "shoe".
@galtha5824
5 жыл бұрын
Some doors are hollow also. So you may find yourself cutting through the bottom . Which many not hurt if you still have enough material to work with but need to be aware of what kind of door you have. Hollow or solid. Exterior door should be solid but not always the case.
And when it fails you have a screwed up door.
Does she have a husband? What man can't do odd jobs at home?