Sealing work we do
- Spring bronze, V-strip and bulb seals on wood door jambs
- Kerf-in seals on newer pre-hung exterior doors
- Door sweeps, door shoes and automatic door bottoms
- Threshold repair and adjustable threshold caps
- Garage entry and laundry doors sealed against dust and fumes
- Latches and hinges adjusted so the door closes against the new seal
Drafts in period houses
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver guide says one of the quickest energy-saving tasks is to “caulk, seal, and weatherstrip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside,” and that sealing air leaks can “save 10%–20% on your heating and cooling bills.”
San Gabriel’s historic resources survey describes a city of 1920s–1950s Period Revival, Minimal Traditional and Ranch houses. Many still have solid wood front doors and rabbeted jambs with no seal at all. Spring bronze strips fit those jambs without changing how the door looks, and an interlocking sweep or a door shoe closes the gap at the sill.
How we seal a door
Read the gaps
We check the door closed, in daylight, for light around all four sides and feel for air along the edges. A wood door that is tight at the top and open at the bottom is usually sagging on its hinges, and that gets fixed first.
Pick a seal for the door
Older wood doors get low-profile spring bronze or V-strip nailed into the jamb. Newer doors with a kerf groove get a press-in seal. Steel doors get magnetic or compression seals made for them.
Close the bottom and adjust
A sweep or door shoe goes on the bottom, and the threshold is raised or repaired if it has worn down. The strike is moved if needed, so the door latches with an easy push.
What we leave to others
We seal and adjust existing doors and windows. Replacing doors or windows, repairing rotted sills, or adding insulation goes to a door, window or insulation contractor.
Photos that help
A photo from inside with the door closed and any light showing, a close-up of the bottom and threshold, and the type of door: wood, steel, fiberglass or French.
Weatherstripping questions
How long does new weatherstripping last?
It depends on use and sun. Seals on a front door used many times a day wear sooner than on a side door. We show you how to check them, so you know when they flatten.
Why is there daylight at the top corner of my door?
The door has likely sagged on its hinges or the frame has shifted. We tighten or shim the hinges first, since no seal can close a gap that grows every season.
Will new seals make my wood door stick?
Not when they are fitted to the gap. We size the seal for the season and allow for the door swelling in wet weather.
Can French doors be sealed?
Yes. They need seals along the meeting edge and an astragal, plus a bottom seal on each door. We fit what the doors are built to take.
How do I find drafts myself?
The DOE guide suggests holding a lit incense stick near the door frame on a windy day. If the smoke blows sideways, there is a leak.
Do you seal windows too?
Yes, where replacement seals are available for the sash or slider. Original wood windows often use spring bronze, which we also fit.
Is the garage door included?
We seal the door between the garage and the house. The large garage door itself goes to a garage door company.
Related guides for San Gabriel homes
- Getting a thick-walled house ready for winter rainA fall checklist for older San Gabriel homes with thick walls and deep windows: sills, doors, drains, caulking and outdoor outlets.
- Heavy plank doors that sag, drag or will not latchHow we fix heavy plank and arched doors with iron strap hinges in San Gabriel's Mission Revival homes: sagging, dragging and latches that miss.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our doors, cabinets and hardware group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.