Replace Weather Stripping on an Entry Door
Category: Insulation ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Time: 1.5h ·
Estimated cost: $45
Tools needed
- Utility knife
- Tape measure
- Drill with small bit
- Pencil
- Scissors
Materials needed
- Foam-backed vinyl weather stripping (17 ft) (1 roll)
- Adjustable aluminum door sweep (1 ea)
- Pan-head screws (included) (1 pk)
- Silicone door lubricant (1 can)
Execution steps
Remove old stripping
Pull or scrape old weather stripping out of the jamb kerf. Wipe the channel clean.
Duration: 20 min
Measure and cut new stripping
Measure top, latch side, and hinge side. Cut three pieces of stripping with the utility knife.
Duration: 15 min
Press into kerf
Push the stripping into the jamb groove starting at one end. Don't stretch it. Trim ends flush.
Duration: 20 min
Install door sweep
Hold the door sweep against the bottom of the closed door. Mark the screw holes. Pre-drill and screw on. Adjust the sweep up/down to just kiss the threshold.
Duration: 25 min
Lubricate and test
Spray silicone on the new stripping. Close the door. Run a piece of paper around the perimeter — it should grip mildly everywhere.
Duration: 10 min
Safety first
- Don't over-tighten the door sweep — too low scrapes the threshold and tears the rubber.
- If the door binds after install, your stripping is too thick; downsize.
When to hire a pro
If the door itself is warped or the jamb is rotted, stripping won't seal — hire a handyman to replace the door slab.
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