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French Door Seal Replacement: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
French Door Seal Replacement

French door seal replacement helps control the temperature of the home and helps save money on energy costs. This simple DIY project can be completed in an hour.


Tubular and V-strip seals are effective air barriers, often installed in milled grooves at the base of a window or door sash, or between a door and frame. These seals are usually self-sticking and take less time to put in.

Choosing the Right Weatherstrip Seal

Over time, the natural wear and tear, and everyday use can cause the seals around your doors to weaken. This will allow exterior air to escape, leading to higher heating and cooling costs and a loss of indoor comfort. Weather stripping helps keep snow, rain and outdoor noise from entering the home, while also preventing the costly leakage of heated or cool indoor air.

There are a variety of weatherstripping that are available. Certain kinds of weather stripping are more durable while others are simpler to install. The type of weatherstripping you choose will depend upon your specific needs.

Felt weatherstrip is the most popular and cheapest alternative. It is usually affixed to the jamb or nailed in place, and when the door is shut, it compresses the felt creating the appearance of a seal. It is recommended to use felt in dry weather, since it doesn't hold up well to humidity.

Foam tapes are made of closed-cell or open-cell foam. They are backed with an adhesive backing. It comes in different thicknesses and widths which makes it ideal to fill small gaps. It can be cut to size and easily installed along the top of a door, or in the corners of windows' frames.

Rubber foam weatherstrip is more durable and is similar to foam tape. It is simple to install and can be fixed to the door jamb or frame with adhesive. It comes in a variety of widths and is also able to be cut to accommodate larger gaps.

Door sweeps are flat pieces of plastic, aluminum or stainless steel that have a brush-like seal. They are used to stop drafts and snow buildup at the top of a door or at its hinge.

The push-on seals (also called "C-clip seals") are designed to be pushed over the lip. They feature a metal core that is fully covered in rubber to stop corrosion. They are designed to prevent drafts, stop leaks and allow for easier opening and close doors.

Weatherstripping in cars is typically determined by the car's unique model, make and year. This is both convenient and annoying, as you may be unable to locate the exact weatherstripping needed for your car, as it's often sold out.

Take off the weatherstrip

A damaged or missing weatherstrip could lead to air infiltration, energy losses and pest infestations. Patches or sealants can be used to repair minor tears and damage however a more thorough repair is typically required for more serious damage. Door weatherstrips are an essential home maintenance item and replacing it could aid in improving the comfort, energy efficiency and value of your home.

It's important to carefully remove the old weatherstrip whether it's made from vinyl, rubber or metal. This will ensure that the new weatherstrip is adhered to the door frame properly and doesn't create any gaps that allow moisture or drafts to get in.

Begin by getting rid of the screws or nails that hold the old weatherstrip and then remove it from either side of the doorframe. Clean the area thoroughly to ensure that there is nothing behind that might hinder the adhesion of the new seal to the doorframe. Consider how you will dispose of the old seal. Some regions have regulations on its disposal.

Once the surface of the old weatherstrip is clear and you're ready to measure the new material. Make sure you measure precisely; even a few millimeters can result in an incorrectly fitting weatherstrip seal. Use tape measure to take your measurements, and always keep in mind the rule of thumb "measure twice, cut twice".

Before you buy any new weatherstrip, make sure to test its fit by closing your doors and windows and making sure that they shut without gaps. You should ensure that your hinges are tightened, as an unbalanced or sagging door could cause gaps between the weatherstrips and the door frame.

It's time to buy and prepare the materials. Choose the kind of weatherstrip that matches your existing doorframe, then follow the manufacturer's directions to determine how best to cut it. For example, some rubber and vinyl varieties of weatherstrips are cut with shears or a utility knife while metal types are best cut using tin snips.

Cutting the New Weatherstrip

A properly functioning door weatherstrip seal can help control indoor temperatures, reduce drafts, and increase comfort and energy efficiency. However, over time and with constant use, this essential do-it-yourself home improvement can wear or get damaged and need replacement. To ensure that your doors are operating properly, a regular inspection and regular maintenance is recommended.

The correct type of weather stripping is vital, whether you're replacing an old one or adding it to a doorframe that isn't insulated. There are many types of weatherstripping that are available on the market, each with their own pros and cons. Foam tape, for example is a well-known choice and is easy to cut and install. The material is available in a variety of widths and is made of open-cell foam, EPDM rubber or both. Foam seals are also suitable for the top and the bottom of window sashes and are easily cut to fit.

Pile weatherstripping, on other hand, has a polypyrene-type plastic base with thin brush hair. It is designed to slide into a small channel that is located on the lock stile and hinge stile of your door. Installers typically use a screwdriver and hammer to secure this form of weatherstripping. However, over time, the stakes could break or may even be completely removed, allowing the weather stripping to slide away from underneath your door.

To avoid this from happening, when buying a new weatherstrip for your pile, make certain to select the appropriate base width and also consider using adhesive-backed options. This will prevent you from needing to stake the new weatherstrip in place, and ensure that it is securely fixed.

Before you start, make sure that the area around your french doors is free of debris or residues left by old weather stripping. This will ensure that your new seal is able create an effective barrier to drafts and has a strong connection to the door frame. Make precise measurements of the groove the old weatherstrip was able to fill. This will ensure that the new seal is fitted properly.

Installing replace french door Weatherstrip

A properly functioning door weather strip seal can create a an extremely secure barrier against outside moisture and air, thereby protecting your home's doors, frames and walls from damage. It also prevents drafts, which can save energy and significantly reduce cooling and heating costs. Replacing a damaged or worn weather strip seal is a relatively easy DIY project that's well worth the effort to stop costly energy losses and maximize indoor comfort.

The first step to install your new weatherstrip is to clean the area you plan to apply it. Get rid of any dust, dirt or residue from the frame with brush or a towel. This can impact the bonding between the adhesive and your new weather stripping.

After the area has been cleaned, you are able to decide what type of weatherstripping you require. There are many choices, from cheap self-adhesive tape to extremely effective rubber gaskets. Some are inserted in grooves milled at the base of windows or doors, while others like tubular Vinyl or reinforced silicone come connected to wooden or metal strips that can be screwed or nailed into the right spot.

Choose a type that best suits your needs and installation requirements, considering durability, longevity and ease of use. Adhesive-backed metal weather stripping takes a bit more experience and knowledge than other kinds.

Once you've decided on the type of product, be sure to take a measurement and cut it at the correct length. Remember the old saying "Measure twice cut once." This will help ensure that your new weather stripping is accurately size and will fit into the groove properly.

Check the weatherstrip prior to installing it. Close the door and verify a tight seal. If the door is difficult to close or there gaps in the seal the weather stripping might be too thick. Also, the measurements might be incorrect. If this is the case, you can cut it down to the right size or reapply it for a better fit.

It is best to wait at least 24 hours after you have finished before closing the trunk lid or the door. If you shut them when the adhesive is wet can cause the weatherstrip to slip off the newly-glued surface which can allow water and other undesirable elements to enter your home.

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