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Front door with a doormat featuring the word "Hello".

Overview

Sealing your doors with weather strips is a quick and easy way to prevent draughts and reduce energy consumption, especially during colder months. Follow this D.I.Y. guide to boost your home’s insulation.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

1Clean the door frame

Start by cleaning the door frame to make sure the surface is free of dirt and debris, which could prevent the door seal from sticking properly. Use a damp microfibre cloth to wipe down the frame, paying special attention to the often-neglected overhead areas that tend to collect dust.

A hand is cleaning the door frame using a damp microfiber cloth.

2Install the door seal

Choose a door seal that fits your gap size. To install the door seal, begin at the top corner of the door frame. Peel off the backing strip and press the door seal down firmly onto the frame. Make sure it’s straight and aligned with the frame as you work your way down. Trim off any excess at the bottom with a sharp utility knife.

Do this all around the frame until all gaps are sealed, except for the gap at the bottom of the door.

A person is using both hands to apply a weather strip, holding and pressing it into place.

3Measure and cut the door seal

For the bottom of the door, use a metal weather seal, which is especially designed for the task. Close the door and mark the necessary width on both sides of the door frame where the door seal will be attached. Next, measure the required length on the door seal. Cut it to length using a hacksaw to ensure it fits perfectly at the bottom of the door.

A person in a red T-shirt measures the door bottom with a measuring tape.

4Pre-drill holes and install screws

Using the screw points under your door seal as a guide, mark the spots for screws 45mm up from the bottom of the door. The screws will be used to secure the door seal. Pre-drill the holes and then install the screws, leaving them slightly loose so that the weather seal can slip on over them.

A hand is drilling holes at the bottom of the door to install screws.

5Secure the door seal

Slide the door seal over the loosely inserted screws, then tighten the screws to secure the seal in place. Make sure the seal fits snugly against the door.

Next, attach the end caps of the seal, and grab the activator. (This is the bit that pushes the seal down when the door closes.) Screw it to the door frame in the spot that works best to depress the seal.

A person is sliding the weather strip seal over the screws.

6Looking for more ways to draught-proof your home?

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.