Draft proofing doors are one of the first steps people make when trying to prevent cold drafts from entering their home. There are some things you can do that are cost-effective. However, the best way to assess how effective your door air barriers are is by using door blower, tracer gas and thermal heat technologies.
Some basics to consider installing are compression seals, wiper seals and keyhole covers. Compression seals work like the seal on your fridge and are applied in long strips around the doorframe. These seals are made from soft rubber, but over time poor quality ones can become hard and crack. Windows can also be made draft proof with strips of compression seal applied. Checking them on a regular basis will ensure unwanted air doesn’t enter the home or escape.
Wiper seals are fixed to the bottom of doors to help make them draft proof. Rubber wipers will be
more effective than brush varieties that still allow air through. Old style keyholes and doors with mailbox holes need covers to stop drafts blowing through.
Doors themselves can also become weather affected. If they are made from plywood, they often crack and peel at the bottom where rain has fallen. Keeping a door well maintained with a good quality exterior paint will help maintain its integrity for longer.
When assessing how draft proof a home is, the number of internal and external doors present in the building is taken into account. Most homeowners are vigilant about draft proofing the front and back doors, but it’s just as important to seal the laundry door leading outside, doors that provide access directly from the garage into the house and the external garage door itself.