Top 5 Best Weather Stripping For Old Doors 2023:
- GCH Door Seal Weather Strip
- KELIIYO Door Weather Stripping
- BAINING Door Draft Stopper for Exterior/Interior Door
- Zengest Weather Stripping Door Seal
- Duck Brand Self Adhesive Foam Weatherstrip Seal
If you live in an old house, your standard maintenance routine should include checking the doors and windows for gaps in the weather stripping. You will probably find that at least some of the weather stripping is damaged or even completely absent.
Old weather stripping often leads to problems such as cold air leaking in the summer and hot air leaking in the winter. If you repair these gaps, you will make your home far more energy-efficient (up to 20% to be precise) and feel much more comfortable in it no matter the season. There will be less noise, and dust and your electric bills will go down too.
If you are ready to start weather stripping, check out our guide and learn how to do it properly. We will also help you find the best weather stripping for old doors. So, let’s begin!
5 Best Weather Stripping For Old Doors In 2023: Detailed Reviews
1. KELIIYO Door Weather Stripping
KELIIYO Door Weather Stripping is made of high-density materials such as silicone and PVC. It is both flexible and resilient. As a result, it should last you for a long time.
The Keliiyo Rubber Foam Seal strips we have tested come in a package of two. Their bottom size is approximately 0.354 x 0.295 inches (9 x 7.5 mm) while they are 33 feet long each. These D type window seal strips are white, but you can also get them in black, brown, and grey too so you’ll have no trouble matching them to your door.
This KELIIYO door weatherstripping will block cold and hot air from coming into your home and prevent dust collecting and insects. If you install this weatherstripping you will also soundproof your door and enjoy peace in the comfort of your home.
This versatile weatherstripping can be used to seal your refrigerator or automobile doors too. Unfortunately, the adhesive is not resistant to extreme weather. As a result, if it gets too hot or cold outside, the weatherstripping can peel off.
Pros
- Versatile and affordable
- Suitable for door gaps that range from 5 to 7 mm
- Flexible, resilient and durable
- Two rolls in one order – in total 66 feet long
- Prevents dust collection & blocks bugs
- Blocks wind, cold and hot air, and soundproofs your room
Cons
- The adhesive is not very strong nor weather-resistant
2. Zengest Weather Stripping Door Seal
Zengest Weather Stripping Door Bottom Seal is made of transparent silicone making it highly versatile and invisible on doors of all colors. All you need to do to install it is to measure the length of your door, cut it, and stick it to dry and clean surface.
The adhesive is heat and cold resistant, but we still advise you to warm it up a bit with your hair-drier before installing the strip. This will make the rubber softer, and it will fit more snuggly. The problem is that adhesive will wear off over time, and the otherwise quite durable weatherstripping will start peeling off.
This rubber flex seal is one millimeter thick and most commonly used for door bottoms, frameless sliding doors, and glass doors. You can still use it for plastic-steel windows, aluminum windows, your furniture, or your shower cabin. It measures 16.4 feet (5 meters) in total.
The Zengest Weather Stripping Door Seal will help you save energy and make your door weatherproof, windproof, soundproof, and dust-proof. The price is on the higher end of mid-range.
Pros
- Transparent – suits doors and windows of all colors and materials
- Easy installation
- Heat and cold resistant adhesive
- Snug fit
- Increases energy-efficiency of your home
- Makes the door weatherproof, windproof, soundproof, and dust-proof
Cons
- The adhesive wears off over time
3. Duck Brand Self Adhesive Foam Weatherstrip Seal
The Duck Self-adhesive Foam Weatherstripping is an ideal solution for all those who need to cover large gaps in old doors and windows. The seal measures 3/4 inch x 3/8 inch, and the roll is 10 feet long. There are other sizes available too.
This Duck weatherstripping is made of EPDM Rubber. It is weatherproof and performs well in both the summer heat and winter cold. Even when it is freezing outside, the strip will not crack or peel off, letting the cold air in. You’ll be protected from draft and humidity, too, as well as allergens such as dust and pollen. The insects will stay out as well.
The installation is quick and easy – just make sure that the surface is immaculate and dry. This energy-efficient weatherstripping is reasonably priced, especially if you consider the savings it will help you make on your energy bills.
Unfortunately, you are limited to one color since all the versions of this product come only in black/dark gray. It will hardly be invisible on a white window.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Different sizes to choose from
- Keeps out hot & cold air, humidity, draft, dust, insects, and pollen
- Suitable for covering large gaps
- Weatherproof
- Strong adhesive
Cons
- No color options
4. BAINING Door Draft Stopper for Exterior/Interior Door
Baining Door Draft Stopper is another bestseller on our list worthy of your attention. If you need to cover the bottom of the door only, you can rely on this product to do the job. It is made of silicone and measures 2″ wide and 39 inches long. You can easily cut it to the desired length. It can cover a gap of up to 1.5 inches.
It comes in white, black, brown, and gray to match it to the color of your door and make it almost invisible. Due to three layers of seals, it is highly efficient in stopping the hot and cold air from coming into your room, but it also keeps away the dust, dirt, noise, and insects.
The silicone material is quite flexible and durable, so this door sweep should serve you long.
The manufacturer seems to be very confident in the quality and durability of this product, too, as they offer a full refund in case you are dissatisfied.
Being flexible, this strip is easy to install and will fit snugly on doors made of different materials. It would be best to wait for 24 hours before you start opening and closing the door. Unfortunately, the adhesive is not very strong, but you can add some glue to make it so.
Pros
- Long service life
- Easy and fast installation
- Flexible silicone material
- Different color options
- Fits most doors
- Three layers of seals for better block effect
Cons
- Weak adhesive
5. GCH Door Seal Weather Strip
GCH Door Seal Weather Strip is a self-adhesive rubber foam stripping that will help seal any gaps on your old door. It is both weatherproof and waterproof, making it ideal for weatherstripping your front door too. You can use it for sliding doors and windows too.
This affordable weatherstripping has a bottom size of about 0.354 x 0.236 Inch (9 x 7.5 mm) and is best suited for gaps ranging from 0.138 to 0.217 inch (3.5 to 5.5 mm). The total length of the strip is six meters.
Being made from high-quality EPDM foam, it is not only flexible and smooth but also ultra-durable and can serve its purpose for up to ten years. If you do encounter some issues, you can ask for a full refund or replacement.
The porous design is highly effective at protecting your home from hot and cold air, wind and rain, and noise. It will help you save energy and keep your bills low. Besides, there will be no more dust collecting, and you`ll spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying yourself.
The adhesive is rather strong and will keep the strip firmly in place for years to come. The only minor disappointment is the fact that it comes in two colors, only – brown and white. Having it in grey and black too would be much better.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Made of high-quality EPDM rubber foam
- Flexible and easy to install
- Reduces energy bills
- Ultra-durable
- Strong adhesive
Cons
- It would be good to have more color options
All You Need To Know About Weather Stripping
Weather stripping can be done in many different ways. There are different types of weather stripping, depending on the material you use. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, as well as applications.
Types Of Weather Stripping
1. V-strip Or Tension-seal Weather Stripping
Tension-seal weather stripping or the so-called V-strip or V-channel weather stripping is done with the strip of vinyl, aluminum, or stainless steel. The material is folded into a V-shape and then used for sealing the tops and sides of your doors.
This method is best applied to the double-hung doors or sliding windows. It is highly durable and discrete since you cannot even see it once installed correctly.
The only downsides to this method of weather stripping are that installation is somewhat complicated, and it will be harder for you to open and close your doors and windows.
2. Felt Weather Stripping
Felt weather stripping material is sold in rolls. It is a budget-friendly method to seal doors and windows that almost anyone can afford. Unfortunately, the felt weatherstripping will also last you the shortest amount of time. It is also the least effective technique.
The most durable type of weather stripping felt material is an all-wool felt. It would be best to buy the one reinforced with a pliable metal strip.
There is more good news. Namely, the felt weatherstripping is easy to install, and if you are at least a bit good with your hands, you can do it on your own rather quickly.
3. Rolled-vinyl Gasket Weather Stripping
Rolled-vinyl gasket weather stripping method requires the use of either flexible or rigid rolled-vinyl gaskets. These gaskets can be installed on door and window stops and at the bottoms of doors.
The installation is quick and easy. The mid-range price is also an advantage. The only issue might be that rolled-vinyl gaskets are visible once in place.
4. Foam Weather Stripping
Foam weatherstripping is a highly popular method. It is a type of compression weather stripping. You can get either reinforced foam weather stripping attached to wooden or metal strips, or the easy-to-install foam weather stripping tape.
Reinforced foam weatherstripping is an excellent choice for door and window stops and the bottoms of your doors and window sashes. It is more effective than tape but can be difficult to install too.
The tape foam weatherstripping is an ideal solution for irregular-shaped corners and cracks. It is easy to install, too. Unfortunately, it is not very durable.
5. Door Shoe And Door Sweep Weather Stripping
Door shoes, as well as the door sweeps, are supposed to be attached to the bottom of your door. Their role is to seal the gap between your door and the floor.
A door shoe is a strip of U-shaped aluminum fitted with a vinyl insert. You should attach it around the bottom of your door.
A door sweep is a strip made of wood or metal and fitted with a nylon blade. It should be attached to the outside of the door.
Both door shoes and door sweeps are quite durable. However, they are difficult to install on your own. Sometimes you have to plane the bottom of your door so that you can open and close them smoothly after installing either of the two.
6. “Frost-brake” Threshold Weather Stripping
The frost-brake threshold weather stripping method requires the replacement of your threshold with the combination of the metal, wood, and vinyl system. It is highly effective and will significantly decrease cold transfer, but it can be challenging to install.
7. Pile Weather Stripping
Pile weather stripping, also known as a fin seal, is done with a metal strip with dense fibers attached to it. It is mostly performed on sliding glass doors and sliding windows.
The Materials Of Weather Stripping
Rubber is the most commonly used material for weatherstripping. But how does it compare to other materials?
For example, vinyl weatherstripping is not much different than the rubber one. They are both usually self-adhesive, affordable, and can be either rigid or flexible.
Foam weatherstripping is almost as popular as rubber weather stripping. It is often more effective, though, especially when reinforced. On the other hand, it is harder to install too.
Felt weatherstripping is less effective and durable than the rubber weather stripping. It is cheaper and easier to install. Therefore, if you are on a low budget, the felt might be a better option.
How To Seal An Old Door?
Now that you know all there is to know about the different types of weather stripping, you can choose the one that best fits your project and install it. Do not feel intimidated; we will guide you through the process step by step.
- Step 1: Measure the perimeters of all of the old doors that require weatherproofing. Add it all up and include an additional 10% to account for waste and any accidents that might occur.
- Step 2: Choose the thicknesses of weather stripping that best fits your doors.
- Step 3: Remove the old weather stripping. Clean the surface thoroughly and dry it well.
- Step 4: Measure everything once again. Better to be safe than sorry. You know the old saying – measure twice, cut once!
- Step 5: Cut the weather stripping as needed.
- Step 6: Install a single, continuous strip along each side of your door. Make sure it is well fitted, especially around the corners.
- Step 7: You are all done! Before you celebrate your success, try closing and opening your door a few times. It should not be difficult. If it is, check if everything fits snuggly and try again.
How To Replace Weather Stripping On The Bottom Of Your Old Door?
If you need to replace the old weather stripping on the bottom of your door, here are the steps to follow:
- Step1: Remove the old weather stripping.
- Step 2: Ensure that the surface is clean, dry, and flat so that you can attach the new weather stripping successfully. Depending on the type of weather stripping you plan to install, you might have to remove your threshold too or plane the bottom of the door.
- Step 3: Measure the length of the door. If you are replacing the threshold too, measure it as well.
- Step 4: Mark the spots where the screws will go.
- Step 5: Drill pilot holes for the screws.
- Step 6: Attach the chosen weather stripping to the bottom of your door and make sure you have tightened the screws firmly. If you are changing the threshold, too, this is the time to do it as well.
- Step 7: Make sure your door can close and open easily. If not, make the adjustments.
Final Thoughts
You are now ready to weather strip the leaking areas around your old doors. Simply choose a product from our Top 5 list and follow our step by step guide. There’s no need to hire anyone!
- Our top pick: The ultra-durable GCH Door Seal Weather Strip will make your home “greener” and last you for a decade.
- Our budget pick: Versatile and affordable KELIIYO Door Weather Stripping is excellent for soundproofing your home and keeping out bad weather.