Alberta is famous for being the wild west of Canadian weather. From a balmy 5°C one day to -30°C polar vortex the next, our homes need to withstand significant temperature fluctuations. If you have ever noticed a breeze whistling from the front entry of the home, the culprit is likely a drafty front door.
While a drafty door is an annoyance that causes many of us to grab a thick sweater, it is also the sign of the property’s primary seal failing. A small gap can lead to significant increases in energy bills, compromised security, and even structural damage over time.
What Causes Drafty Doors?
All across Canada, our doors and home exteriors withstand a wide variety of weather conditions. From extreme humidity to bone dry cold conditions, the property’s materials, including doors, expand and contract constantly. There are many factors that lead to doors becoming drafty and breezy.
- Worn Out Weatherstripping: Weatherstripping is the flexible material that lines the door frame, typically made of rubber, foam, or silicone. Weatherstripping is designed to create an airtight seal when the door is closed. Over time, it can become brittle, cracks can form and weatherstripping can lose its spring, which lets air in.
- Settling of the Home: Over time, houses and buildings move and settle. As the ground shifts or the foundation settles, the door frame can shift and become less square. Even the tiniest of shifts of one or two millimeters can create a tiny gap at the top or bottom of the door, causing air to flow in.
- Damaged or Missing Door Sweep: The door sweep is the strip attached to the bottom of a door. It is the first line of defense against debris on the floor, snow, salt, and wind. If the door sweep is torn, damaged, or missing altogether, the threshold becomes an open invitation for air to come in.
- Hardware Misalignment: If the door’s strike plate, which is where the latch enters the frame, is loose or misaligned, the door may not be closing correctly and lining up tightly against the weatherstripping. For instance, if the door jingles when it is locked, this may be a sign of an improper seal.
If left ignored, the small draft emanating from the door may become worse with time. In addition, even the smallest of drafts can greatly impact the energy and heating bill of the home. As cold air enters the space, the furnace or heating systems need to work overtime to maintain the set temperature. This is not only problematic for costly energy bills, but it also works the heating system faster over time.
Another unwelcome guest of a drafty door is moisture. Moisture will hitch a ride with the air coming in from the draft, which can cause condensation and bring about issues such as mold, wood rot, and other concerns.
Professional Door Draft Repairs
While it can be tempting to search for DIY friendly repairs, it is necessary to seek professional door repairs in order to properly winterize the home. Our team of experts tackle drafty doors with a multi-step approach:
- Precision Realignment: Our technicians assess the door, as well as the hinges and weatherstripping. If it is determined that the door alignment is crooked, we may shim the hinges or adjust the door frame to ensure the door sits perfectly flush. This also ensures that the seal is uniform around the door.
- High Grade Weatherstripping Installation: Not all weatherstripping is created equal, some varieties have a shorter shelf life than others. We use professional grade, compression style seals that are designed to withstand weather conditions without cracking. We ensure that the material is seated properly for a permanent, durable fit.
- Threshold Adjustments & Sweeps: Many modern thresholds are adjustable. We can often turn the screws on the threshold, which can help raise the threshold to meet the door sweep perfectly. If we identify that the sweep itself is damaged, we can replace it with heavy duty sweeps that block wind entirely and prevent insects or other debris from entering the home.
- Component Upgrades: As doors age, there may be components that require replacement. For instance, glass inserts known as sidelights may be the culprit of a drafty door. Our crew can also inspect the caulking and glazing around the glass to ensure that no air is leaking through the decorative elements of your entrance.
The Benefits of Repairing Drafty Doors
Fixing a drafty door goes beyond the comfort and warmth of the home. Repairs also help your heating system’s life span, protect your home investment, and provide proper door security.
- Prevention of Structural Decay: Given that we know drafts bring in cold outdoor air and potential moisture, drafty door repairs prevent the moisture from snow, rain, and other elements from sitting in the crevices of the door frame. This protects the wood from any potential swelling and rotting, leading to an extension in the door’s lifespan.
- Enhanced Home Security: Doors that close properly and tightly are much more difficult to open with force. Gaps in the door provide weakened security, whereas repairs to drafty doors ensure the door, deadbolt and latch all align perfectly with the strike plate. Drafts and unwanted visitors are both prevented in one door repair service.
There are cases when door repairs are insufficient to treat the core issue that is creating the draft. These circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
- The door core is warped or rotting.
- The door is made of old, uninsulated wood that frequently sweats.
- The frame has significant structure damage that can no longer hold hinges securely.
Our professional door repair and replacement experts can help navigate the decision of repair or replacement, ensuring that the homeowner is equipped to make an informed, educated decision.
At the first sign of a draft, whistle, or visible light around the frame, contact professional door services to ensure your home is warm, sealed, and safe to maintain your door’s integrity.
