Ethan Clarke
Sealing a door with plastic is a quick and easy way to insulate a room, improve heating efficiency, and keep out bugs. The first step is to identify any air leaks by running your hand around the perimeter of the door to feel for drafts. Once identified, these gaps can be filled with weatherstripping, a type of plastic sealant designed to fit the sides and top of the door, as well as the bottom, which is called a sweep. Weatherstripping comes in various materials, including silicone, foam, felt, and plastic, and can be installed with adhesive backing or by screwing it into place. After installation, it's important to test the door's functionality and ensure no gaps or drafts remain.
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What You'll Learn
Identify the type of weatherstripping you need
Weatherstripping is a great way to seal gaps around doors and windows, improving energy efficiency and reducing heating and cooling costs. There are several types of weatherstripping available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right type can be challenging. Here are some factors to consider when identifying the type of weatherstripping you need:
Material
The material of the weatherstripping is an important consideration. Common materials include foam, felt, metal, vinyl, silicone, and rubber. Foam and felt are inexpensive and easy to install but less durable. Metal is more durable and effective but harder to install. Vinyl is flexible and moisture-resistant. Silicone is soft, durable, and stays tight as the door swells and shrinks. Rubber is durable and creates a good seal.
Location
The location of the door or window you are weatherstripping will impact the type of weatherstripping you need. For exterior doors and high-traffic areas, more robust materials like V-strips or tubular rubber may be required. For sliding doors, a fin seal or pile weatherstripping can be effective. If you live in a cold climate, frost-brake threshold weatherstripping can help reduce heat transfer.
Installation
Consider your DIY skills and the tools you have available. Some types of weatherstripping are easier to install than others. For example, weatherstripping tape is self-adhesive and can be cut to size with scissors, making it a popular and inexpensive option. Felt weather stripping, on the other hand, requires staples or glue for installation.
Durability
Consider the durability of the weatherstripping and how often it will need to be replaced. Some types of weatherstripping, such as felt, may need to be replaced more frequently due to bending or wear and tear. If you are weatherstripping an area with high foot traffic, keep in mind that some types of weatherstripping can wear down quickly and require more frequent replacement.
Cost
Weatherstripping can vary in cost, so consider your budget when choosing a type. Some options, like magnetic weather stripping, offer excellent sealing but come with a high upfront cost. Compare the costs of different types of weatherstripping and consider the durability and longevity of the material.
Effectiveness
Choose a type of weatherstripping that will create an effective seal. The weatherstripping should press tightly between the door and the door jamb when the door is closed, without interfering with its operation. Ensure the weatherstripping is the correct size and thickness for the gap you are sealing. You may need to combine different types of weatherstripping for a more complete seal.
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Measure the door and cut the plastic to size
To seal a door with plastic, you will need to measure the door and cut the plastic to size. This process will depend on the type of plastic you are using to seal your door.
If you are using weatherstripping, measure the gap between the door and the jamb, as well as the door and the doorstop, with the door closed. Take measurements along both side jambs and the head jamb. Choose weatherstripping that is large enough to fill the largest gap. For the top and sides of the door, you will need to measure along the door frame, not the door itself. Both sides will usually be the same length, but it is common for slight variations to occur due to construction errors. Measure each side separately.
If you are using adhesive weatherstripping, cut the product to the correct length first. Then, fit the ends into the ends of the slot, and push in the barb at the halfway point. Continue pushing at each quarter point until the strip is secure.
If you are sealing the door with plastic to insulate a room and keep bugs out, you can use a plastic sheet. Measure the door frame and cut the plastic sheet to size, allowing for some overlap. You can then screw the plastic sheet into the wall, covering the entire door.
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Clean the door and frame
To seal a door with plastic, you must first clean the door and frame. If your door had weather stripping previously installed, check it for damage or deformities by running your hand around the perimeter of the door while it is closed. Mark the areas where you feel air coming in with a light pencil mark or a piece of painter's tape. If the weather stripping is damaged or ineffective, remove it by peeling or sliding it away.
Once the old weather stripping has been removed, clean the areas that need to be sealed. Use a damp rag to wipe away any visible dirt and debris from the door frame and the edges of the door itself. Ensure that you thoroughly clean the area to achieve the best seal. If you are using caulk or sealant, it is important to completely remove the old caulk or sealant and then wipe down the area with isopropyl alcohol. Allow the surface to dry before applying a new bead of sealant.
When cleaning the door and frame, be careful not to leave any wood chips or debris in the slot. Use a small screwdriver to gently clean out any remaining wood chips or debris before continuing to the next step of weatherstripping the door. It is important to have a clean and smooth surface to work with to ensure that your seal is effective in preventing air and drafts from entering your home.
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Apply the plastic sealant
To apply the plastic sealant, start by checking if your door previously had weather stripping installed. If it did, check if it is damaged or deformed by running your hand around the perimeter of the door while it is closed. Mark the areas where you feel air coming in with a light pencil mark or a piece of painter's tape. If the old weather stripping is damaged or ineffective, remove it by peeling or sliding it away.
Next, clean the areas that need to be sealed. Use a damp rag to wipe away any visible dirt and debris from the door frame and the edges of the door itself. If your door has a kerf, which is a slot left by a saw blade, you can use kerf weatherstripping. This type of weatherstripping has a piece that slips into the kerf. If your weather stripping has an adhesive backing, slowly pull the backing off as you place the strips.
If your weather stripping is held in place by screws, drive the screws through a metal strip that holds a rubber seal against the door. Once installed, slightly open the weather stripping to create a tighter seal. Move your hand around the door to check for any remaining gaps or drafts. If you are using a metal door sweep with a flexible vinyl flap, screw down the metal piece and then insert the vinyl into it.
If you are using a different type of sealant, such as caulk or silicone, start by preparing your sealant by cutting the tip of the cartridge at a 45-degree angle. Cut off less than you think you need, as you can always cut more. Pierce the cartridge's inner foil seal using the metal rod on your caulk gun or a long nail. Apply the sealant with a relaxed, confident grip and a steady speed. Run a bead between the door frame and the home's siding, starting from the top corner and working down to the bottom corner. If you can't make it in one pass, it's okay to readjust your grip and start where you left off. Repeat this process along the opposite side, and fill gaps with additional sealant as needed.
Seal around everywhere there are gaps between the frame or casing of the door and the rest of the house, including the door sill. Use a caulk tool or your finger to smooth out the sealant bead. It's important to tool the bead before the sealant starts to cure, so it may be better to work in sections. Finally, remove any excess or unwanted sealant with mineral spirits. Allow the sealant to cure completely for the best performance.
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Remove excess sealant
To remove excess silicone sealant, you will need to use a silicone softening agent, a sharp edge (e.g. a blade or knife), and a cleaning solution. You should also have silicone sealant remover tools at hand, such as a Silicone Sealant Removal Tool with a stainless steel blade.
Firstly, ensure your work area is clear of any items you do not want to get dirty or break. Then, make sure the area is dry. If the area is wet, pat it down with a cleaning cloth or let it air dry.
Now you can begin to remove the excess sealant. Spray a silicone softening agent, such as WD-40, onto the area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use your sharp edge or blade to carefully cut away the excess sealant. You can also use the Silicone Sealant Removal Tool to push, pull, and scrape away the sealant.
Once you have removed the excess sealant, grab a mould removal spray and clean the surface thoroughly. This will ensure that any mould or mildew is removed before applying a new sealant. After this, use a concentrated cleaning solution to remove any dirt, grease, or grime. Mix a cleaning agent, such as Selleys Liquid Sugar Soap, with water and soak a microfibre cloth in the solution. Wipe the entire surface, always cleaning from the highest to the lowest point to avoid surface runoff. Finally, thoroughly rinse the surface with water.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to determine where your air leaks are. If your door had weather stripping previously installed, it might be damaged or deformed. Check it by running your hand around the perimeter of the door while the door is closed. Feel for air coming in between the door and the frame.
Mark the areas where you feel the air coming in with a light pencil mark or a piece of painter's tape. If you can feel a draft while checking areas that already have weather stripping, you will need to remove the old weather stripping and replace it with a new seal.
Clean the areas that need to be sealed. Remove old weather stripping by peeling or sliding it away. Then, use a damp rag to wipe away any visible dirt and debris from the door frame and the door's edges.
Pick the right sealant for your project. For sealing around the exterior of a door, choose a GE-branded 100% silicone sealant, like GE Supreme Silicone Window & Door sealant. This sealant is 100% weatherproof, permanently flexible, and won't crack or shrink with temperature changes.
Apply the sealant. Maintain a relaxed, confident grip and a steady speed as you apply the sealant. Run a bead between the door frame and the home's siding, starting from the top corner and working down to the bottom corner. Repeat on the opposite side, and fill gaps with additional sealant as needed.
