How to Weatherproof Your Home: DIY Draft and Insulation Updates

A poorly weatherproofed home is expensive to heat and cool. According to the EPA, sealing air leaks and adding insulation in attics and crawlspaces can save homeowners an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs.

Weatherproofing is a simple, high-yield DIY project. In this guide, we'll cover the exact steps for identifying air drafts, sealing doors and windows, and optimizing your home's insulation.

Table of Contents

1. Locating Air Leaks (The Incense Test)
2. Sealing Window Drafts
3. Installing Door Sweeps and Seals
4. Insulating Outlets on Exterior Walls
5. Tools & Materials List
6. FAQs

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1. Locating Air Leaks (The Incense Test) {#locating-leaks}

Air leaks occur around windows, doors, outlets, and where utility lines enter the house.

• The Incense Test: On a windy day, turn off your HVAC fan. Close all windows and doors. Light an incense stick or a candle and pass it slowly around window edges, door sills, baseboards, and electrical outlet plates. If the smoke or flame bends, you have found an air leak.

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2. Sealing Window Drafts {#sealing-windows}

• Apply Caulk: Use clear siliconized acrylic latex caulk to seal gaps between the window trim and the wall.
• Install Weatherstripping: Stick self-adhesive V-strip or foam weatherstripping along the window sash track where the window closes.

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3. Installing Door Sweeps and Seals {#sealing-doors}

Exterior doors are the most common source of major drafts.

• Check the Threshold: Adjust the brass screws on your door threshold so it rises to meet the door bottom seal.
• Install a Door Sweep: Screw a metal and rubber door sweep onto the bottom inside of the door.
• Replace Foam Strips: Pull out worn-out compression foam strips from the door frame track and press in new ones.

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4. Insulating Outlets on Exterior Walls {#insulating-outlets}

Outlets on exterior walls allow cold air to leak straight into your living spaces.

• Install Foam Gaskets: Remove the plastic outlet cover plate. Place a pre-cut foam outlet insulation gasket over the outlet box and screw the cover plate back on. This takes 2 minutes and blocks drafts immediately.

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5. Tools & Materials List {#materials}

• Foam Outlet Gaskets: Cheap and high-yield.
• Siliconized Latex Caulk: For interior window trim.
• Foam Weatherstripping Rolls: 1/4-inch width.
• Heavy-Duty Door Sweep: Aluminum with rubber seal.

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6. FAQs {#faqs}

What is the difference between silicone and latex caulk? Use siliconized latex caulk for interior windows because it is easy to apply and paintable. Use 100% silicone caulk for exterior gaps because it resists weather changes and won't crack, though it cannot be painted.

Should I cover my windows with plastic wrap in winter? Yes, if you have old, single-pane windows, applying plastic window insulation shrink film over the window trim is a cheap, temporary way to create a dead-air insulation layer, reducing heat loss.