How to draught proof the front door

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BEFORE YOU START

The below shows how to proceed on a door that has not been sealed before. In case you're renewing the door seals, make sure to remove completely the old ones. Use alcohol for removing any adhesive leftovers.

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Front door weather stripping

This tutorial shows how to draught proof the front door by weather stripping it.
There are several ways of draught proofing a main door, we're showing how to use a few of them, specifically:

V shaped weather strips,
Brush type strips,
Foam type tapes
Door bottoms.

All can be applied to any type of front doors, wood or metal.
Door bottoms require however to be fixed with screws, while weather strips are self-adhesive .

V shaped weather strips

Many door sealing tapes are available, the ones that are V-shaped are preferred between the door leaf and the frame, at least when applied to the top of the door and the side that has the lock.
This is because the V shaped plastic weather strips, do fill the gap with the frame without putting any resistance when closing the door.
It is flat when purchased but is bent to form a V that blocks the drafts.

Start by cleaning well your door and frame all around with a wet towel.
Cut the weather stripping tape to size and apply while pressing firmly.
Peel the adhesive on the go.
Once done, bend down the half that has no adhesive, so to form the V.

This is what it will look like once done.
The V shaped strip blocks the drafts as it always tends to open which keeps the door well sealed.
Cut your weather strip in a manner not to let it interfere with your door lock latches.

Weather strips made of soft brush

You may also use this soft brush type of seals on the hinges side.
It is not advised to use these weather strips on the lock side of the door as they could prevent the door from closing properly. This is indeed due to their thickness.
Nevertheless, you should use them if the gap between your door and its frame is quite large, and you're looking to fill it with thick material.
Brushes are much efficient against draughts, they however easily catch dust, dirt, hair, etc. and are difficult to clean.

Apply it the same way to the door frame by peeling the tape little by little.

Press the brush strip firmly and keep it straight.

It is almost invisible especially if its color matches well the door.

Foam type weather stripping tapes

These foam weather strips are not recommended at all as they must be compressed to efficiently block door drafts.
To compress them, you will have to push your door harder when closing it.
With time, they stay shrink to their compressed thickness and allow draughts to pass through again, although they still reduce the air flow.

Complete the draught proofing of your door by fixing a door bottom