The most common reason for doors being hard to close is that the weatherstripping ends up being too tight. This can often lead to you needing to apply excessive force to shut the door, which is far from ideal and certainly not a long-term solution.
There are a couple of reasons why this happens. From weatherstripping that isn’t installed perfectly to changes in temperature and faulty latches.
If the strip used for weatherstripping ends up being thicker than necessary around the door’s edges, it can get in the way of its natural path and can lead to extra friction and less room for the door to fit perfectly into the door frame.
Apart from the thickness of the weatherstripping, the density of its material can also make the door hard to close. Felt, rubber, foam, vinyl, and metal are some of the common ones used.
In this article, we are going to focus on why weatherstripping in particular can make a door hard to close and explore methods to prevent and fix it.
How To Gauge If The Weatherstripping Is Bad?
Weatherstripping tends to deteriorate over time, although the time frame may vary. That depends on the materials and the environment.
These are some of the telltale signs of weatherstripping that need changing –
1. Wear And Tear
Weatherstripping that is well past its sell-by date may show signs such as cracks, dryness, and bends. It may also be flattened around the edges.
2. Changes In Appearance
Droopiness and discoloration are telltale signs of damaged weatherstripping.
3. Improper Functioning
Over time, the weatherstripping around will stop doing its work properly. You may also notice light filling up the gaps around the door panel.
4. Excess Moisture
If you spot moisture seeping through the gaps or around the door jamb, it is time to change it.
How To Avoid Bad Weatherstripping?
An improperly functioning weatherstripping can be frustrating. It can often lead to the door being hard to close.
It is done to protect your house from the elements such as preventing water and debris from seeping in through the gaps around the door panel.
Here are some ways to prevent this issue :
1. Right Quantity
Use the right amount of weatherstripping. The thickness, length, and width of the weatherstripping should be perfect to ensure a snug fit around the door.
2. Shaving
If you think excess material is an issue, use a sharp knife to shave off some of the weatherstripping until the door closes properly. This method requires some trial and error.
3. Hammering
Sometimes, the improper fitting of the weatherstripping can be an issue. Look for places where the material may be sticking out and using a wooden block and a hammer, gently tap it into its groove.
4. Materials
Avoid using felt as material if the door is going to be exposed to moisture as it offers little protection against it and will wear away fairly soon.
Best Weatherstripping Material For A DoorÂ
Weatherstripping made out of metal is going to be ideal in terms of long-term reliability as these are quite sturdy and withstand harsh weather conditions.
Weatherstripping is an important little detail that needs to be sorted out to keep your house safe from the elements. Its most important task is to keep moisture, debris, excess heat, and cold from entering through the edges around your door.
A crucial aspect that separates good weatherstripping from a bad one is the material it’s made out of. Depending on its sturdiness and durability, the costs may vary greatly.
Types Of Weatherstripping
These are the different types of weatherstripping.
1. V-Strips
Also known as tension strips, these are plastic or metal strips. They come with an adhesive from the factory and are quite easy to install.
They come in a “V” shape that opens up to bridge the gaps and create a protective seal around the door.
2. Metal
Made out of steel and aluminum, metal is definitely the choice if you’re looking for a long-term solution.
It can be a bit expensive but also durable and sturdy and is considered to be the best.
3. Rubber And Vinyl
This type of weatherstripping comes with a tubular rubber or vinyl piece attached to a wooden or metal strip.
It can last for a long time, upwards of 3-4 years, but it’s on the expensive side and a bit tricky to install.
4. Door Sweeps
Its basic construction is a plastic, vinyl, or nylon brush attached to an aluminum or steel strip which is attached to the bottom of the door.
The brush fills up the gap between the door and the threshold.
5. Foam Tape
Probably the most versatile form of weatherstripping. Foam tape is essentially a sticky tape made out of foam or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EDPM), which is a type of rubber.
Its versatility comes from its easy application and the ability to fill up uneven gaps.
6. Felt
The most common and inexpensive form of weatherstripping, it’s made out of felt and is reinforced using a metal strip.
It’s not designed for harsh weather conditions and may last only for a couple of years.
Final Remarks
Weatherstripping is a key process in keeping your home protected from the elements. This article’s focus was to show how to avoid improper weatherstripping.
It may take a newly installed weatherstripping a couple of days to adjust itself around the edges of the door. If that doesn’t happen, use the following measures.
Sometimes, excess use of material, less-than-ideal fit, and subpar installation can lead to the door being hard to close. Shaving off some of the strippings or re-installing it properly and fixing this issue.
My name is Rick Kinney and I am the founder of ExHandyman. I have worked as a handyman for many years, and fixing stuff is my greatest pleasure in life.