What Is Weatherstripping?
The squishy seal around a door frame that the closed door presses against, so outside air stays outside.
Compressible sealing material (foam tape, silicone bulb, or metal-backed V-strip) installed around a door or window frame so the closed door squeezes it and blocks airflow. Foam is cheapest and fades in a season or two of heavy use; silicone and V-strip cost a few dollars more and last years on an exterior door.
Fixes that use this
Walls, Doors & Floors
How to Fix a Door That Won't Latch or Stay Closed
A door that won't latch has a strike plate out of line with the bolt, usually by under 1/4 inch. Mark it with lipstick, then file, shim, or move the plate.
Time15–45 min Cost$0–$12 easy
Outdoors & Seasonal
Fix a Drafty Door in an Hour (Weatherstripping That Lasts)
That draft under the front door costs real heating and AC money. Find the gaps with a flashlight, then seal them with $15 of weatherstripping and a sweep.
Time45–60 min Cost$10–$25 easy
Outdoors & Seasonal
How to Replace a Worn Door Sweep Before Winter
If cold air comes in under the door, the sweep is probably torn or missing. Replace it in 20 minutes for $8–$15 and stop the floor-level draft.
Time20 min Cost$8–$15 easy
Outdoors & Seasonal
Seal Drafty Windows Before the First Cold Snap
Find the leak with a smoking incense stick, then match the fix to the gap. And never caulk the weep holes at the bottom of a vinyl window frame.
Time30 min–2 hrs Cost$10–$45 easy