To replace weather stripping on a door: pull off the old strip, remove the old adhesive (warm it with a hair dryer, then clean with alcohol), let the frame dry, then press the new self-adhesive strip onto the frame stop without stretching it and press firmly along its whole length. Kerf-in seals push into the groove in the frame instead, and the door bottom gets a sweep or bottom seal. Fit above about 10 °C – most adhesive failures come from dust, oil or cold.
The four steps
- Clean the frame with a cloth and a little alcohol or mild detergent to remove dust and oil.
- Dry – wait until the surface is completely dry.
- Peel and press – peel 20–30 cm of backing at a time, press the strip on without stretching it, then continue; cut the excess with scissors.
- Press firmly along the whole length; the adhesive reaches full strength after about 24 hours.
Where to put the strip
Fit it on the frame stop – the surface the door or sash closes against – not on the hinge edge where it would be sheared. Keep it a few millimetres back from the edge so the door does not catch it.
Corners
For D and P profiles, cut the strip at each corner and butt the ends together rather than bending it round, which leaves a gap. Very soft foam can be folded round a corner with a small notch cut in the base.
Common mistakes
- Stretching the strip while fitting – it shrinks back and pulls off at the ends.
- Fitting on painted surfaces that are still soft, or on powdery old paint.
- Choosing a strip that is too tall – the door will not latch and the strip is torn off.
- Fitting in cold weather – warm the frame and the strip first.
How do I remove old weather stripping?
- Pull the old strip off slowly from one end.
- Warm stubborn adhesive with a hair dryer and peel it off.
- Clean the residue with alcohol or mild detergent.
- For kerf seals, pull the fin out of the groove; check the groove is not cracked.
How do I replace a kerf-in door seal?
Measure the kerf width and the gap, cut the new seal to length, and press the fin into the groove from the top corner down, without stretching. Mitre or butt the corners.
How do I apply weather stripping around a front or exterior door?
To install new weatherstripping and reseal a front or exterior door, attach the strip to the frame stop all the way around the door: start at the top corner, work down the hinge side, then the latch side, and finish with the bottom seal or sweep (change the bottom strip last, with the door closed to set the height). Press each length on with the door open, then close the door and check the paper test at the top, both sides and the bottom. On an exterior door frame use EPDM foam or a kerf-in bulb seal rather than PU foam, which ages in sunlight.
How do I replace a door bottom seal or sweep?
Slot-in strips slide into the groove under the door; self-adhesive silicone sweeps stick to the bottom face of the door. Measure the gap to the floor first – see door sweeps & door bottom seals.
Quick questions
Can I reuse a strip after removing it?
No – the adhesive loses most of its tack. Fit a new length.
How do I remove the old adhesive?
Warm it with a hair dryer, peel it off and clean the residue with alcohol before fitting the new strip.
Need a seal for this?
Send your section, gap size or a photo of the old seal – Dora replies usually within 2 hours. Door & window seals are available from 10 m.