How to Fix Drafty Windows and Doors: Supplies to Look For
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You know the feeling. You're sitting near a window on a cold evening and there's a little chill on your arm, even though the heat is on. Drafty windows and doors are really common, especially in older homes, and the good news is that most fixes are cheap, quick, and beginner friendly.
This guide covers how to find the drafts, which supplies to look for, and when it's time to bring in a pro instead.
First, find where the air is getting in
Before you buy anything, figure out where the drafts actually are. A few easy ways:
- Feel for it. On a cold, windy day, slowly move your hand around window frames, door edges, and the gap under doors.
- Use a candle or incense stick carefully. Hold it near the edges of a window or door and watch for the smoke or flame to flicker. Keep it away from curtains and blinds.
- Look for light. At night, have someone shine a flashlight around a door frame from the other side. Light coming through means air can too.
- Check the obvious spots. Gaps under exterior doors, worn weatherstripping, cracked caulk around trim, and window sashes that don't close tightly.
Many utilities offer home energy assessments, so it's worth checking with yours if you'd like a professional look.
- Look for: thermal leak detector
Fixes for drafty doors
Add a door sweep
A gap at the bottom of an exterior door lets in a lot of cold air. A door sweep attaches to the bottom of the door and closes that gap.
What to look for: a sweep that matches your door's width (measure first) and style, and screws or adhesive that suit your door material.
- Look for: door sweep
Use a draft stopper for a quick fix
If you're renting, short on time, or just want something today, a fabric draft stopper that sits along the bottom of the door works with zero tools.
- Look for: door draft stopper
Replace worn weatherstripping
Weatherstripping lines the sides and top of the door frame. If it's flattened, cracked, or missing, the door won't seal well.
What to look for: the type that matches what's already there (foam tape, V-strip, or rubber bulb styles are common), and the right length for your frame.
- Look for: foam weatherstripping tape
- Look for: V-strip weatherstripping
- Look for: door seal kit
Check the strike plate and threshold
If the door doesn't close snugly against the weatherstripping, the strike plate (the metal plate the latch goes into) or an adjustable threshold may need a small adjustment. A screwdriver is usually all it takes. If the door is badly out of square or the frame looks damaged, a carpenter or handyperson is a good call.
Fixes for drafty windows
Recaulk around interior trim
Cracked or missing caulk where the window trim meets the wall can let air sneak in. Scrape out loose old caulk, wipe the area clean, and apply a fresh bead.
What to look for: paintable caulk labeled for interior trim, a basic caulk gun, and a smoothing tool.
- Look for: paintable interior caulk
- Look for: caulk gun
- Look for: caulk smoothing tool
If you're new to caulking, the Best Tools for a First-Time DIY Bathroom Refresh post covers recaulking basics that work the same way here.
Add weatherstripping to the sashes
Gaps where the window sash meets the frame can often be sealed with self-adhesive weatherstripping. Make sure the window still opens and locks properly afterward.
- Look for: window weatherstripping
Try rope caulk for the season
Rope caulk is a soft, putty-like strip you press into gaps by hand. It's removable, so it's popular for windows you won't open until spring.
- Look for: rope caulk
Put up window insulation film
Window film kits use double-sided tape and a clear plastic sheet that you shrink tight with a hair dryer. It adds an extra layer over the inside of the window for winter. Follow the kit's directions carefully, especially on how to remove it later.
- Look for: window insulation film kit
Hang thermal or insulated curtains
Heavier curtains can help a room feel warmer at night. Close them in the evening and open them on sunny days to let the light in.
- Look for: thermal curtains
- Look for: curtain rod
If you're hanging new rods, a stud finder and the right wall anchors help. The Essential Tool Kit for First-Time Homeowners has a list of the basics.
Don't forget the sneaky spots
- Outlets and switches on exterior walls. Foam gaskets go behind the cover plate. Turn off power to that circuit at the breaker first and only take off the cover plate. If you're not sure which breaker it is, or anything looks damaged, call a licensed electrician. Anything inside the electrical panel is a pro job.
- Attic hatches. A loose attic access panel can leak warm air. Weatherstripping around the edge can help.
- Mail slots and pet doors. Covers and flaps are available for both.
When to call a pro
Some drafts are a sign of a bigger problem. Please bring in a licensed contractor if:
- Window frames are rotted, soft, or you see signs of water getting in.
- The glass is cracked, or double-pane windows look foggy between the panes.
- Drafts are coming from inside walls, ceilings, or around the roofline. That can point to insulation or roof issues, and roof work should go to a licensed roofer.
- You're thinking about new windows or doors altogether.
And as always, anything with gas, the electrical panel, the roof, or plumbing inside the walls is a licensed pro's job.
Keep a simple record
Weatherstripping and caulk wear out over time, so it helps to note what you used and where. Next fall, you'll know exactly which door needed a new sweep and what size you bought. The Home Maintenance Tracker is the Google Sheet we made for that kind of thing: tasks, dates, and what's due next, all in one place. If you'd rather jot it on a sticky note inside the closet door, that works too.
The short version
Find the drafts first, then start with the easy fixes: door sweeps, weatherstripping, caulk, and window film. They're inexpensive and most are quick jobs. Save your energy (and money) for bigger repairs only when the frame, glass, or walls are the real problem, and hand those to a pro.