3 tips to improve the insulation of an exterior door

It’s difficult to deny that as soon as the chilly weather arrives, rushing to the thermostat to crank up the heat seems like the only way to keep the inside of the home warm and comfortable. What you may not realize is that even if your heaters are on full blast, the indoor temperature will only stay cosy if your home is insulated correctly.

This is especially true of drafty areas, such as the doors and windows of your home. Many front doors leak air and heat, contributing to high energy costs. How can you improve the insulation of your exterior doors? Well, we’ve got 3 important tips so read on!

The top 3 tips for improving the insulation of an exterior door

1- Weatherstripping your doors

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If you haven’t heard of weatherstripping before, then take a trip down to your local hardware store. This inexpensive method is tried and tested among homeowners as well as professionals and will help you deal with an excessive amount of air infiltration and loss.

The most common way to compromise your indoor air is from improper or missing weatherstripping. Weatherstripping will be placed along all four sides of your door in order to provide a full seal. Without it, it’s very easy for air to escape as well as allowing dust and debris in from outside. Although your door may look like it’s firmly in place, over time doors shift and move out of alignment. Even if you installed weather-stripping a year ago, there is a good chance it may not be as effective today. Feel for cold spots along the edges of the door. If you come across a gap, you should take action.

There are a few variations of weatherstripping on the market. Adhesive foam comes in rubber or plastic and can be cut to fit any style door. This option is easy to install, although it will only have a 1 to 3-year lifespan. Felt is another commonly-used material. It is very effective but may compress over time. If you live in a place with serious weather conditions or the gap itself needs a heavy-duty fix, metal stripping exists. Though this option has the longest lifespan, this installation process would be best left to a professional.