How do you weather strip a sliding door?

Weather stripping a sliding door is an important step to increase energy efficiency and comfort in your home. Properly sealing the gaps around a sliding door prevents drafts, moisture, dirt, and noise from entering the house. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you understand how to properly weather strip a sliding door.

Why Should You Weather Strip a Sliding Door?

There are several benefits to weather stripping a sliding door:

• Improves energy efficiency – Sealing air leaks around a sliding door prevents conditioned air from escaping and unnecessary outside air from entering the house. This allows your heating and cooling system to run more efficiently.
• Enhances comfort – Drafts and temperature variations will be reduced after sealing a leaky sliding door.
• Reduces moisture and condensation – Weather stripping forms a tight seal that keeps out moisture. This can help prevent mold, mildew and condensation from forming around the door.
• Lowers energy bills – Less strain on your HVAC system means lower monthly energy costs.
• Decreases noise – Stopping air leaks also blocks outdoor noises from entering your home.
• Improves durability – Protection from the elements will help your sliding door last longer.

As you can see, weather stripping a sliding door has multiple benefits for your home’s efficiency, comfort, indoor air quality and durability. It is quick, easy and inexpensive DIY project that can make a big difference.

What You Need to Weather Strip a Sliding Door

Weather stripping materials for sliding doors are available at most hardware stores. Here are the common products you will need:

• Foam weatherstrip tape – Adhesive-backed open-cell foam strips that compress when the door closes to seal gaps. Choose thickness based on gap size.
• Vinyl bulb seals – Bulb-shaped strips that attach to the door frame and compress on the door. The bulb flexes to create a tight seal.
• Interlocking weatherstrip – Rigid plastic strips that interlock to seal the gap. Often used at bottom of door.
• Door sweep – Vinyl or brush sweep that attaches to bottom of door to seal gap along threshold.
• Caulk – For sealing cracks and gaps that weatherstripping cannot cover.
• Tools – Tape measure, utility knife, caulk gun, drill, screws.

Make sure to get weather stripping designed for sliding doors. Measure the length and width of your door frame to purchase sufficient weatherstripping materials.

How to Weather Strip a Sliding Door

Now that you understand the benefits of weather stripping and have the right materials, let’s go through the key steps for how to properly seal a sliding door:

1. Inspect door gaps – Check all sides of the door frame and threshold for gaps, cracks or air leaks. Take measurements of each gap that needs sealing.
2. Clean surfaces – Use a vacuum and damp cloth to clean out gaps and remove any debris or dust.
3. Apply door sweep – Cut the sweep to the width of your door. Attach the sweep to the bottom of the door between the glass and frame using screws. Make sure it makes full contact with threshold.
4. Install foam weatherstrip tape – Cut tape to measured lengths. Remove backing and press foam tape into gaps around the door frame. Focus on top, sides and middle.
5. Add bulb seals – Cut vinyl bulb seals to size. Insert seals into frame grooves or attach to frame surface with nails. Add to top and sides of frame.
6. Interlock weatherstripping – Cut interlocking plastic strips to size. Press the weatherstripping into the bottom door gap to cover threshold.
7. Caulk corners – Use caulk to fill any remaining small cracks and corners around the door.
8. Test door operation – Open and close the door to ensure it still operates properly without binding after sealing.
9. Perform maintenance – Check weather stripping annually and replace any worn materials as needed.

Be sure to apply adequate pressure when installing the weather stripping for a tight compression fit. Take your time to fully seal the entire perimeter of the door frame.

Where to Apply Weather Stripping

To stop air leaks, weather stripping needs to be applied all around the sliding door frame and threshold. Here are the key areas to seal:

• Top of frame – Apply foam tape or vinyl bulb seal along entire top of frame.
• Side frames – Run weatherstripping down full length of vertical side pieces.
• Middle joint – Seal the gap between the sliding door halves with foam tape.
• Bottom threshold – Use interlocking vinyl weatherstrip, door sweep or bulb seal on floor threshold.
• Door sweep – Attach sweep along bottom edge of sliding door to seal gap at threshold.

Focus on completely sealing the perimeter of the frame rather than spot sealing. Compressible foam tape tends to work best for filling narrow gaps, while vinyl bulbs are ideal for wider gaps and uneven surfaces. The door sweep and interlocking strips help cover larger threshold gaps.

Special Considerations

Here are some additional tips for smoothly weather stripping a sliding glass door:

• Make sure surfaces are clean and dry before applying weatherstripping.
• Use proper safety gear like gloves and eye protection when handling materials.
• Measure carefully and cut strips to exact lengths for a tight custom fit.
• Apply adequate pressure when installing compressible weatherstripping into gaps.
• Use a utility knife to neatly trim off any excess bulb seal or tape material.
• Adjust door sweep if it interferes with the door rolling properly.
• Check for full contact between door sweep and threshold – trim sweep or add shims if needed.
• Consider adding an extra storm door for severely leaky or drafty sliding doors.

Taking care with the small details will help ensure a professional quality weatherization job. Don’t be afraid to take your time and recheck gaps after installation.

Conclusion

Weather stripping a sliding glass door is an easy weekend project that can make a real difference in your home’s efficiency and comfort. With some basic weatherstripping materials, hand tools and these step-by-step instructions, you can properly seal air leaks around your sliding patio door. Reducing air infiltration will help stop expensive energy loss while also decreasing humidity, noise and dust entry. Your home will feel more comfortable year-round after properly weatherstripping and insulating a drafty sliding door. Just be sure to use quality weatherstripping designed for sliding doors and make sure it fully seals the entire perimeter of the frame. With attention to detail during installation and regular maintenance checks, your weather stripping should provide many years of improved energy conservation.