Sealing Doors

2023 Author: Douglas Hoggarth | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:23

There are various types of slats to help prevent drafts, but the most important thing is a good fit of the door itself. For example, if you nail a rail to a stuck door, the door will stop closing or opening altogether.

In most cases, simply inspecting the door is sufficient to determine where the jam is. If this cannot be done, then close the door and insert a piece of thin cardboard into the gap between the door and the door frame (box); by moving the cardboard along the gap, it is easy to establish the tight joints leading to jamming. The same problem can be solved in a different way by drawing a line on the edge of the door with the help of crayon. Close and open the door several times and then carefully examine the line: in the places where the door and the box are tightly joined, the chalk will be erased.

Another reason for door jamming is sagging due to loosening of the door hinges. The easiest way is to tighten the screws tightly; if this does not help, then remove the old screws, hammer wooden plugs into the holes from them and tighten the new ones. The door can stick when one of its sections swells. In this case, it is recommended to place a thin spacer under one of the loops or cut off part of the wood with a plane. If the edge of the door with the latch sticks, it is best to remove the door and process the edge with the hinges with a plane; it is much easier than leaving the door in place, removing the lock, and then trimming the seizing edge. Having solved all these problems, select a strip of the type shown in the figure. For a sliding door, use the same techniques as for sealing sliding windows.

Types of slats. The wedge-shaped bar is distinguished by great strength and efficiency; the plastic tube is good for its elastic properties, allowing you to reliably close the gaps between the door and the frame. Very affordable adhesive foam tapes; they are of two types - rectangular and pointed. Metal and plastic strips with brushes are quite effective.

Rectangular foam tape; pointed foam tape; plastic tube; wedge-shaped bar; strip with brush

Door adjustment. If the upper or lower edges of the door are sticking, treat them with a plane or sandpaper. If the side on which the lock is installed is seized, you can solve the problem with a wood or plastic gasket. Place a piece of wood under the door, unscrew the base of the hinge and put a gasket under it; then reattach the loop. In this case, follow the rule: if the upper part of the door sticks, then the gasket is placed under the base of the lower hinge and vice versa. If the edge of the door with the hinges is seized, then install the gasket in the hinge that is closer to the seized area.

Installation of a wedge-shaped bar. Cut the planks to size so they can be installed at the top of the doorway and on the sides. Cut the upper ends of the vertical planks and both ends of the upper plank at an angle of 45 °. Don't forget to cut openings for the hinges and door lock. Then nail the planks as shown in the picture below.

Installation of external planks. Cut the top and side strips to the required dimensions and install them in the doorway as shown in the figure. Having screwed the planks loosely with the screws, check how tight the door is: ideally, a sheet of paper should pass between the door and the planks. Then tighten all screws tightly.

Sealing the bottom of the door

Outside doors should always be sealed, with the strips nailed to the inner face of the door. If it is required to maintain a higher temperature in one of the dwelling rooms, then its door should also be sealed from the outside or inside. The slats are very diverse, among them you will always find a suitable one for your door. The flat sill strips (bottom, left) consist of an aluminum or plastic base on which brushes or rubber plates are attached. These slats are suitable for both internal and external doors. Brush strips are recommended for sealing sliding doors as other types of strips will prevent slipping. Some brushes have a plastic shield that prevents moisture penetration: it is clear that such strips are used to seal external doors. The combo strips (bottom, center) consist of a two-piece nylon brush and a metal strip. In this case, the brush is attached to the door, and the bar is on the threshold. External doors are equipped with special slats, the shape of which does not allow water to enter the house (bottom, right). A groove cut in such a strip prevents water from entering from below.

Installing a flat threshold rail

How to fix the rail. Cut a strip to the width of the door and screw it to the bottom of the door with screws. The batten should be as close to the floor or threshold as possible, but not impede door movement. Many rails have oblong screw holes for easy adjustment.

Installing the combo rail

How to fix a metal bar. Cut the strip and brush to the length of the sill. Fasten the bar with screws as shown in the figure; make sure that the overhanging edge of the plank faces the inside of the doorway.

How to install the brush. Position the brush so that it applies light pressure to the bar. Using screws, screw the brush into the bottom of the inner face of the door.

Installing the rail on the outer door

How to fix the rail. After cutting the rail to a suitable length, position it so that the door can open and close freely. The bottom of the rail should be flush (or a couple of millimeters higher) with the bottom edge of the door. After closing the door, secure the rail from the outside with screws or nails. Use screws or nails that will not rust. Fill the gap between the rail and the door surface with filler, this will prevent the wood from rotting.