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Steps
1
Detect air leaks by feeling for drafts with your hand, looking for daylight around closed doors, or using a lit incense stick or candle to watch for wavering smoke near windows and frames.
2
Remove old, brittle weatherstripping or peeling caulk using a putty knife or screwdriver. Thoroughly clean the surfaces with soap and water or rubbing alcohol to ensure new adhesives bond securely.
3
Measure the perimeters of windows and door jambs. Cut the weatherstripping to fit, ensuring the material is applied snugly so that it compresses when the door or window is closed.
4
Install the weatherstripping along the jambs and sashes. For the bottom of exterior doors, attach a door sweep or shoe, ensuring it brushes the floor evenly without preventing the door from opening smoothly.
5
Apply a consistent bead of exterior-grade caulk to stationary gaps, such as where window and door frames meet the siding. Smooth the bead with a wet finger or tool before it skins over.
6
Seal interior air leaks by installing foam gaskets behind electrical outlet and switch plates on walls. For larger gaps around baseboards, use low-expansion spray foam.
7
Test the seals by closing all doors and windows and checking for remaining drafts. Use the 'dollar bill test' by closing a door on a bill; if it slides out easily, the seal is insufficient.
Pro Tips
Apply weatherstripping on a dry day in temperatures above 20°F for the best adhesion.
Add 5% to 10% extra weatherstripping material to your measurements to accommodate waste.
Use painter's masking tape on either side of a joint before caulking to achieve clean, professional lines.