How To Make An Interior Door Airtight

Reduce your heating bill in the wintertime by creating airtight seals around your doors. While you may have already sealed your exterior doors, interior doors can also be a source of cold air, for example, doors between a foyer or mudroom that lead to the rest of the house. Weatherstripping materials are among your best bets for creating airtight seals.

Step 1

Lift the door gently using the door knob to check for loose hinges. Hinges that are not tight enough can cause draft issues, so tighten any loose hinges to help make your door airtight.

Step 2

Measure the length and width of your door for weatherstripping installation. Also measure the gap between the door and the door frame, or jamb, as well as the gap between the door and the door stop, as you'll want to use stripping that best fits these gaps. There are several types of weatherstripping available, so choose one that best suits your needs. Types include wrapped foam, which conform well to just about any type of gap and come in metal and wood versions, and vinyl and silicone bulb types. Though vinyl or silicone will not conform to wide gaps as well, they have a cleaner look. Since finding matching stripping for older doors can be difficult, call a local door or window repair surface for the right materials or for information as to where you can purchase what you need. If you know your door's manufacturer, you can call the company's service number for the appropriate materials.

Step 3

Install weatherstripping materials to seal your door and reduce drafts. Use a marker to designate the correct lengths on your stripping. Weatherstripping kits should come with long and short strips; use a hacksaw to make appropriate cuts.

Step 4

Position the stripping so it gently compresses against the door frame. Stripping that is compressed too tightly against the frame will result in a door that does not close fully. Use a hammer and nails to install the strips around your door. Hammer nails about 2 inches in from each end to avoid splitting and space all other nails about 12 inches apart. Check the door to ensure it closes completely before hammering all nails into each piece.

Step 5

Install a door sweep to block all potential drafts between your door and the floor. If your carpet or rug is higher than the bottom of your door frame, you cannot use a sweep. Use rolled up towels to block drafts from the bottom of your door if this is the case. If not, measure the width of your door and use a marker to designate cuts on your door sweep. Cut the sweep to size with a hacksaw, and use a drill and screws to attach the sweep to your door.