I’m with you on the caulk—makes a world of difference, especially when those old frames have shifted over the years. I’ve also found that running a bead along the bottom edge where the threshold meets the sill can help even more than just around the frame.
Switching to silicone weatherstripping was a game changer for me too. Foam and felt always seemed to get chewed up or lose their spring after one winter, but silicone’s held up for three seasons now, even with kids slamming the back door every day.
About those magnetic seals:
I actually installed one on our mudroom door last year. It was a bit fiddly to retrofit—lining everything up took patience—but once it was in, it really cut down on drafts. The seal’s tight, but you do need to make sure your door sits flush all around, or it won’t catch properly. Not sure I’d bother unless you’ve already got a pretty square frame or you’re willing to do some shimming.One thing I’m curious about: has anyone tried those magnetic door seals?
You’re definitely on the right track. Little upgrades like these add up fast when it comes to comfort and heating bills.
That’s interesting about the magnetic seals. I’ve only ever used the regular stick-on stuff, but I’ve always wondered if the magnets would actually hold up with kids and pets constantly going in and out.
That’s probably where I’d run into trouble—our back door frame is a little wonky from settling. Has anyone tried those draft stoppers that slide under the door instead? Curious if they’re worth it or just a trip hazard.“The seal’s tight, but you do need to make sure your door sits flush all around, or it won’t catch properly.”
I’ve actually tried a few of those slide-under draft stoppers because our basement door is just a little off-kilter too. The kind with the two foam tubes in a fabric sleeve—those are the ones I’ve had the most luck with. They’re not perfect, but they’re way less fussy than trying to get a magnetic seal to line up on a warped door. The only thing is, if your floor isn’t level or you have thick carpet, they can drag or bunch up, which gets annoying.
Honestly, I wouldn’t call them a trip hazard unless you’ve got someone in the house who really shuffles their feet, but they do shift around if you’re not careful. My dog seems to think it’s a new toy half the time and drags it into the living room, so that’s another thing…
One thing I did to help was put a bit of double-sided tape on the bottom side (the part that faces the floor). Not super sticky, just enough to keep it from sliding every time the door opens. Works for us, but it’s a bit of a hack.
I’ve also seen those silicone “door sweeps” you stick right onto the bottom edge. They block drafts pretty well and don’t move at all, but you’ll want to measure carefully since they can look a little rough if you cut them wrong. They’re also kind of ugly, if that matters.
If your door’s really out of square, I’d steer clear of anything that needs a perfect seal. The slide-under types are cheap enough to experiment with, just don’t expect miracles. Drafts are a pain—sometimes I think they just find new ways in as soon as you fix one spot…
Drafts are a pain—sometimes I think they just find new ways in as soon as you fix one spot…
That’s the truth. You plug one gap and suddenly there’s a breeze coming from somewhere else. I’m a bit skeptical about those slide-under stoppers long-term, especially with pets around—mine shredded one in a week. Have you ever tried actually rehanging or planing the door to get it square? Sometimes I wonder if all these quick fixes just end up being more hassle than just fixing the root problem, even if it’s a pain upfront.
KEEPING THE COLD OUT: MY STEP-BY-STEP FOR DRAFT-PROOFING DOORS
Sometimes I wonder if all these quick fixes just end up being more hassle than just fixing the root problem, even if it’s a pain upfront.
Couldn’t agree more—those slide-under things are like cat toys in my house. I’ve actually planed a door before, and while it’s more effort, you get cleaner lines and way less fuss later. If the door’s warped, rehanging or adjusting the hinges can make a huge difference. Sometimes a little weatherstripping is still needed, but at least you’re not fighting with crumbling foam every winter.