It’s easy to overlook weatherproofing during the summer, but if you haven’t properly weatherproofed your doors in time for autumn/winter, you’ll soon notice the signs!

Have you ever felt a chilly draught from under your door or seen water pooling by the threshold after heavy rain? If so, we’ve got some tips and tricks for weatherproofing your doors so you won’t be caught out as soon as the cold winds start blowing.

Most external wooden doors are fitted with a rubber seal to prevent any draughts or water from getting in through the edges of the door, but there are a few more ways to ensure that your doors stay weatherproof throughout any season. Follow our guide to find out how.

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Why should you weatherproof your doors?

Weatherproofing your doors is essential for many reasons, ensuring your home is comfortable, energy-efficient, and protected from external elements.

Energy efficiency: Weatherproofing your door seals cracks or gaps to prevent air leaks, reducing heating costs.

Prevents water damage: A weatherproofed door keeps rain from seeping in, protecting your floors and interiors. If moisture seeps in, it can lead to door warping, rotting and mould growth over time.

Comfort: Weatherproofing prevents cold draughts in the winter, so you avoid the chill.

Noise reduction: A sealed door reduces the noise from outside, making your home more peaceful.

Increased longevity: Preventing water and temperature extremes from affecting the door materials extends their lifespan.

How can I tell if my door needs weatherproofing?

You can tell if your door needs weatherproofing if you notice any visible cracks, feel a draught or notice any water damage or peeling paint. Look for the following signs:

• Visible gaps or damage: This could be visible cracks or gaps between the door and its frame, the existing weather stripping being cracked, or a worn or missing door sweep.
• Draughts: If you feel cold air coming through the edges of the door, your door needs better sealing.
• Water leaks: Inspect the area around the door for water stains, peeling paint or water pooling near the base of the door, especially after rain.
• Mould growth: Black mould on walls and ceilings clearly indicates excessive moisture.
• Energy bill increase: Sudden or gradual increases in your heating bills.

How do you weatherproof an exterior door?

• Weatherstrips - These are the easiest way of weatherproofing your home as they are easy to install and can be cut to size depending on the specifications of your doors. Adding weather strips to the edge of the door helps reduce cold air getting into your property.

• Letterbox draught excluders - The letterbox is an area often overlooked. Installing a draught excluder will ensure less heat escapes your property and that cold air doesn’t come in.
• Draught excluders - These are an effective way to reduce heat loss and block cold air from entering your home through gaps under the front door. They normally feature a plastic or metal mounting plate with dense bristles attached that allow the door to open and close smoothly while keeping out unwanted draughts.
• Update or tighten door hardware - Over time, door hardware such as hinges and handles can become loose, broken or they may have been fitted incorrectly. Updating your door hardware will ensure the fixtures are airtight and won’t allow cold air to enter your property. Tightening hardware can also help realign misaligned doors to exclude gaps.

• Caulk - Use caulk to seal gaps around the doorframe, especially where it meets the wall.

Step-by-step guide to weatherproofing your door

1. Check for small gaps

Start by inspecting the door and surroundings to see if you can spot any gaps or cracks.

If you can’t see anything immediately, try putting a piece of white paper underneath the bottom of the door. Close the door, then slowly pull the paper out from beneath it. If there’s debris, the door seal may need reinforcing.

2. Fix larger gaps

Particularly in older buildings, you may find large gaps around the bottom of the door. Backer rods are the ideal way to solve this problem.

Simply measure the gap between each side and cut a piece of backer rod to fit the space. Caulk each end of the cut piece and push it as far into the gap as you can to seal off any areas that air can pass through into your home.

3. Apply weather stripping

Any exterior doors should have weather stripping fitted around the door frame. If yours don’t, or if the weather stripping is old or damaged, you’ll need to determine which type of weather stripping is most appropriate for your home and apply it to your external doors.

Weather strips are available in various sizes and thicknesses and often come with a self-adhesive backing that can be easily removed and added to the edge of your door frame. This will ensure that your old door is weatherproofed and retains heat.

Ensure that the weather stripping is applied to each side and the top of the door frame, ensuring the foam is evenly stuck to each corner and wedge it into the corner seam.

4. Draught excluders and weather bars

Once you’ve sealed your doors, another excellent way to keep out draughts is to apply a brush draught excluder to the bottom of your doors. However, if water is also a problem, you may wish to consider a weather bar.

In triangular-shaped strips, weather bars deflect any rainwater running down your door and away from your home. Install your weather bar as low to the bottom of the door as possible, bearing in mind that a draught excluder will mean installing the weather bar higher up the door.

5. Weatherproof or update door hardware

Areas such as the letterbox and keyhole can also let draughts into your home and let precious heat escape.

Letterboxes can be fitted with rubber and brush seals for weatherproofing, and keyholes can be fitted with an escutcheon. Alternatively, replace your traditional mortice lock with a cylinder-type lock.

Over time, door hardware such as hinges and handles can become loose or broken or may have been fitted incorrectly. Updating your door hardware will ensure the fixtures are airtight and won’t allow cold air to enter your property.

Maintenance tips for long-lasting weatherproofing

• Inspect doors regularly: Check weatherstripping and caulking at least once a year for wear or damage.
• Clean the thresholds: Keep the bottom of the door and surrounding areas free from dirt and debris.
• Reapply caulking: Refresh caulk as needed to maintain a watertight seal.
• Lubricate hinges: Keep the hinges and door mechanisms working smoothly to prevent misalignment.

FAQs

Why does my door leak when it rains?

There are multiple reasons why your door might leak when it rains, and some common things to look out for include:

• The seals around the edge of the door might be broken and need replacing. They may also have come out of place and need to be pushed back into where they can function effectively.
• You will have three drainage holes within the door that will expel any rainwater when you open and close your door. It is important to regularly check these holes and ensure they aren’t blocked or have any loose debris blocking their drainage.

How do you weatherproof a wooden front door?

• All of the previous methods of weatherproofing apply to wooden doors. Ensuring that your wooden front door is weatherproof will help keep heat in your property and create a good first impression on guests.
• Ensure you regularly check your wooden front door for irregularities such as draughts, broken seals and loose hardware.

How often should you weatherproof a door?

• Check and reapply weatherproofing every 1-2 years or sooner if you notice any signs like cracks, draughts or water leaks.

Find your new external door at Leader Online

Weatherproofing your doors is an easy and cost-effective way to improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and protection from the elements. By sealing draughts and preventing moisture damage, you can save on energy costs and extend the life of your doors.

Whether adding weatherstripping, upgrading your door hardware, or needing a new door seal, these small changes can make a big difference.

Or, If your current door is beyond repair or you’re looking for a fresh start, consider investing in a new, high-quality external door designed to withstand the elements.

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