choreloop › Guides › Home Maintenance › Inspect & Replace Door & Window Weatherstripping
Inspect & Replace Door & Window Weatherstripping
ExteriorWhole HouseSeasonalEvery 6 months
Seal air leaks around doors and windows with new weatherstripping to cut heating and cooling costs and stop drafts.
Supplies You'll Need
- Replacement weatherstripping (foam, felt, or rubber)
- Utility knife or scissors
- Measuring tape
- Screwdriver or pry bar (if removing old molding)
⚠️ Safety Warnings
- Match the weatherstripping type to the door or window movement — adhesive foam for tight stops, compression sweep for exterior doors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Close all exterior doors and windows and look for visible gaps or daylight showing through.
- Hold a lit incense stick or feel for drafts around each frame to find leaky spots.
- Measure the length of each gap and purchase matching foam, rubber, or felt weatherstripping from a hardware store.
- Remove old cracked or peeling weatherstripping with a utility knife or pry bar.
- Clean the contact surface with rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely.
- Peel and stick new weatherstripping firmly along each door and window frame.
- Close each door and window to test for a tight seal with no visible air gaps.
💡 Pro Tips
- A dollar bill should not slide easily through a closed exterior door — if it does, you need better sealing.
- Insulate the attic access hatch with foam board and weatherstripping — it is a major hidden heat loss point.
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