DIY Home Improvement Guide

Screen Door Handles

Replacing screen door handles is one of the easiest DIY home improvement projects that we can do.  The hard part is either tracking down the same one that you already have or choosing the best looking new one.

If you’re looking for replacement screen door handles the best way to find the exact one that you need is to start by looking at the door’s manufacturer.  Most screen door companies have a website where you should be able to contact them to get a replacement handle.  If you can’t figure out who the manufacturer is, or if they won’t help you out you’ll have to find a new one.

Finding new patio screen door handles is tricky since there aren’t many companies that make them.  You may be able to find a few at your local hardware or home improvement store, but your best bet is going to be on the internet.  There are many more choices to be had on the web, and since the part is fairly small you won’t pay much for shipping.  Sliding screen door handles are a bit more rare than the swinging type, but they do exist.

Installing the screen door handles is a breeze.  It’s normally just a case of unscrewing the old one and installing the new one.

Patio Screen Doors

Patio screen doors are the ultimate summer accessory.  They have their uses all year, but the summer is the time that you get to really enjoy it.  Each house will have their own particular uses for a patio screen door, but it boils down to being able to leave the sliding glass door open while letting fresh air to come in from outside.

There are patio screen doors for pets, retractable ones, or just the simple screen that will keep the summer bugs out of your house.  Temporary window blinds will also work in a similar fashion.  They work to keep light out in a pinch.

If you’re fairly handy, installing patio screen doors can be a DIY job.  Most sliding glass door frames have an outer frame that will fit a screen door.  The key to success in this project is hyper accurate measurements.  If you’re off by even a quarter in on each side, the door is not going to fit.  The old saying goes, “measure twice, cut once” but in this case you should, “measure twice, have two or three people verify it, buy once.”  It’s extremely important that you get that part right.  If you’re not comfortable with that, there are tons of local companies in each town and city that specialize in installing them for you.

Pile Weather Stripping

Pile weather stripping is an old-school way to keep the elements out of your home.  It’s usually used on windows, but also functions great with sweeping and sliding applications.  I’ve seen this type of weather stripping on storm door and windows more than other uses since it has some give for when the wind is beating against the window to help keep it from shattering.

It’s usually made from a bristle type material, or sometimes wool, that will stop wind and water with its small bristles and still give the window a little wiggle room.

With rubber window stripping becoming so popular, it’s more difficult to find pile weather stripping.  If you live in a large city you’ll probably be able to find it at your home improvement warehouse.  If you can’t find it there a few online retailers still carry it.

Magnetic Weather Stripping

Magnetic weather stripping is a really cool invention that makes weatherizing your doors extremely easy.  With as much focus as there has been on protecting the planet and saving money with home improvement, taking steps to weatherize your home or office is one of the easiest things you can do to help out.  This is especially true in the workplace where there are people constantly going in and out and operating HVAC most of the day.  A simple magnetic weather strip on the doors and windows can put thousands of dollars onto your bottom line each year.

The door or window has to have some sort of non-ferrous metal for the magnet to stick to for this to work, but that’s really the only requirement.  When installed, the rubber will compress to fit perfectly into your door or window frame.  For the first few weeks after installation it’s going to be a very tight fit, but the rubber will continue compacting and the door or window will go back to operating properly.

When cutting the magnetic weather stripping for windows leave about a half inch on each side to give the rubber room to compact.  When cutting for doors measure your cut lines while the stripping is on the door, rather than using a measuring tape.

Magnetic weather stripping for metal doors and windows is one of the easiest things to install and use.  It’s the perfect weatherization project for the DIY homeowner or facilities specialist.

Vintage Door Knobs

Nowadays old equals cool, and this is certainly the case for vintage door knobs.  I love going on the hunt for vintage door knobs.  There are tons of places you can find them, but I’ll share my secrets with you in this article.

When I’m looking for vintage hinges or door knobs or anything old, for that matter, I’ll start at my local antique stores.  I honestly don’t have much luck finding them at these stores, but what I do is talk to the ladies that work there to see if they have any leads that can help me out.  Nine times out of ten they can point me to an estate sale or a salvage sale that will have exactly what I’m looking for.  Not only do I get what I need, I get it cheap.  Double win!

On the odd chance I can’t find vintage door knobs that way I’ll cruise to my local salvage yard to see what they have.  It’s a dirty and difficult job to look through all the crap that they have, but if you do find what a vintage knob you can get it for nearly free.

If all else fails, I’ll turn to the internet.  eBay has tons of vintage door knobs from all periods, and there are stores set up that do the hunting for you.  You’re going to pay much more this way, but if that’s what it takes to get the perfect vintage door knob, that’s what it takes!

Interior Door Knobs

In all my time on the DIY home improvement scene I’ve noticed that interior door knobs always seem to go unnoticed during decoration and remodeling.  Why?  I have no clue, but they are one of the easiest and most inexpensive things that you can do to improve the look, feel, and value of your home.

Replacing interior door knobs only takes a few minutes, and an average sized house can be completed in about the time it takes to drive to the store, buy all the knobs, and return!  Changing out door knobs is very easy, and most amateur interior designers will have no problem getting the job done.

A cool thing you can do is have different knobs on each side of the door.  You can have a knob on the outside of a bedroom door that matches the hallway and have the inside door knob match the bedroom.  The possibilities are really only held back by your imagination.

Interior door knobs come in every shape and size you can think of.  Before jumping into your local home improvement warehouse to buy knobs, spend some time figuring out what you really want.  You can get most styles at your local store, but the really creative and unique ones will be found online or at a specialty interior design store.  This is a really good opportunity to make a big difference in your home, so spend the time to make sure you get the most from it.

Chrome Door Knobs

Chrome door knobs are the perfect addition to your home when you want to stop looking like everyone else on your street.  I don’t have the facts to back this up, but I would estimate that at least 90% of homes have brass or gold door knobs.  That means that almost everyone on your street has the same thing!  Break the mold a little bit, take a walk on the wild side, and switch to chrome!

These door knobs are mostly used on the toilet side of the bathroom door, with brass door knobs on the other.  They do this so that the door knob will match the chrome faucet.  Usually, these are the only chrome door knobs that you’ll find in the entire house, ludicrous!

It’s perfectly acceptable to have a chrome front door knob, and if you want to add a bit more class you can use the brushed or satin chrome types.  Manufacturers are starting to create more of their brass models in a chrome finish, so finding the one you want will be as difficult as you make it.  You can start your search at your local hardware or home improvement store, but if you’re looking for something specific you’re going to have the best luck looking online.

Be daring, be bold, be the talk of the neighborhood!

I can hear it now, “Did you see the Jonses new polished chrome door knobs?”

“Yeah, I always knew they weren’t like us!”

Brass Door Knobs

Brass door knobs are what goes onto your home when you want the classic look without standing out too much.  I have them on my house, and so do most of my neighbors!  The good thing about a brass door knob is that it will last longer than you and your house will.  There are also thousands of different designs to choose from.

Most door knobs are made from brass, even the ones that have a silver or chrome finish.  Brass lasts an incredibly long time, and maintains its shape and finish under daily abuse while still being a very affordable material.  Aside from crystal door knobs, almost all other door knobs are made from brass.

You can find brass door knobs at any home improvement center, but if you want to find something really special you’ll have to turn to other avenues.  Antique brass door knobs can be found at antique stores, garage sales, and second-hand stores.  High end polished or solid brass door knobs can be found on the internet or interior design stores in your area.

Some people feel that brass knobs are the generic choice when you don’t really know what you want.  This is only true if you choose a generic style!  There are so many different options that you can choose from you’re bound to find the one that’s perfect for you and your home.  This is a good time for you to be very picky since there are so many options.  Consider the fact that these door knobs are going to be in your home for a really long time, unless you change them again, so buying one or a set that will fit your style for a long time to come is a fantastic idea.

When you know what you’re looking for, take the time to find it.  Don’t settle for something just because it’s the easy choice!  And don’t forget that door knobs are really easy to install, so even the most DIY novice can do it.  Unlike many other projects where you have to hire help to get the job done, installing brass door knobs is not one of them so you can save money!

Ceramic Door Knobs

Ceramic door knobs are true elegance in the home.  They are very much like their porcelain counterparts, but can be created in an infinite number of designs.  Ceramic molds allow these knobs to be made in every shape imaginable.  This high level of customizability may make it difficult to choose what you want, but the trickiest part is finding someone to make them for you.  There aren’t many custom ceramic door knob makers around, but if you find one the possibilities are endless.

You have to be careful with ceramic door knobs.  They aren’t very durable and a hard whack against a wall or while moving furniture will break or chip them.  Ceramic is much more brittle than porcelain is, so care must be used with them.

If you’re looking for some class in the kitchen you can use ceramic cabinet door knobs which will be easier to find and more durable than their larger counterparts.  These can usually be found online or in high end interior design stores.

Another idea that I’ve seen is taking plain white ceramic door knobs and painting them yourself.  You can add whatever design or color you want to on these to match your home.  You’ll need a kiln to set the paint onto the door knob, but you can find a local artisan or a college pottery studio to help you out with this.

Oil Rubbed Bronze Door Knobs

Oil rubbed bronze door knobs add a touch of class to your home without being flashy or over the top.  Their dark color adds great contrast to a front door or any other white/light colored door in your home.  We’ve all become so accustomed to seeing the brass/chrome door knobs that we perceive something different as high quality.

One really cool thing about oil rubbed door knobs is that they come in just about every style that a traditional door knob does.  Most of the major door knob makers offer this finish for each of their offerings, so you should have an easy time finding the one that you want.  Expect to pay a few bucks more than you would if you got brass or silver, but the price increase isn’t huge.

Installing oil rubbed bronze door knobs is an easy way to improve the overall appearance of your home without breaking the bank.  If you have the skills to change a door knob, you can install these in any room of your home.  They have models that fit front doors, privacy knobs, and dummy knobs.

Porcelain Door Knobs

Porcelain door knobs are the perfect classic American look for any home.  I, personally, love these door knob in bathrooms.  It’s really the perfect fit, and even better when paired with small tiles on the bathroom counter or floor.  They don’t only have to be used in the bathroom, they also work very well in every other room of the house.

As if finding porcelain door knobs wasn’t already tricky, finding them in a color other than white is even harder.  There are more companies making these right now than there have been in the last 50 years, but the only real benefit of that is lower prices and different color bases for the door knobs.  I recommend starting your search online for porcelain door knobs, and if you can’t find what you want there look to the specialty interior design stores in your area.

Another option is antique porcelain door knobs.  There are plenty of these door knobs around, but expect to have a hard time finding more than a few of the same style knob.  If you plan on redoing all of the door knobs in your house you may be better off finding new ones that all match.

Western Door Knobs

Western door knobs are the perfect final accessory to any country themed home.  These door knobs can make your guests feel like they’re walking into a comfortable home when entering your front door.  Western door knobs can vary from a sheriff’s star to a horse them to your family’s brand in cast iron.

These door knobs are pretty hard to track down.  There are a few retailers online, but for the most part you’re going to have to find someone that makes custom knobs or a skilled blacksmith.  This gets even more difficult if you want it to be a locking door knob, since there is such an increase in craftsmanship that goes into the finished product.

If you’re not looking for a locking western door knob you could get away with making your own as well, DIY doorknobs aren’t unheard of!  I’ve seen a restaurant in the Southwest that used leather from a saddle for their door knobs.  They cut the pieces out and sew the edges to help keep it from taking too much abuse.  It was a very fitting and classy accessory for this restaurant.  I know that saddles are expensive, but this should be used as an example of the options that are available to you.  If you were to need a lock, you could install a deadbolt above the door handles.

Crystal Door Knobs

If you’re looking for something that will make a dramatic improvement to your home, crystal door knobs are one of the simplest ways to do so.  We’ve all become so accustomed to seeing the regular brass or steel door knobs that when we see something like a crystal door knob it has a huge impact on our impressions of a home.  Not to mention they are really cool!

Crystal door knobs aren’t cheap, but if you look at it like you’re doing something that will make a real difference to the value of your home you may be able to swallow the cost.  The average crystal knob is about $60 to $70, and when you multiply that by home many doors in your home need them it can be a large chunk of money.

Antique crystal door knobs are also a viable option.  If you can find a salvage sale or an antique store going out of business you may be able to find these door knobs very inexpensive.  It will take some work, and you’ll probably have to spend some time refurbishing them, but you can save a ton of money.  This is definitely the best way to get your hands on enough door knobs.

Another cool thing that I’ve seen in some homes is where not all of the door knobs match each other.  This might seem like a wacky idea, but since all of them were crystal and of similar design, it worked out really well.  If you were to do this you could potentially save a lot of money because you can pick them up one at a time when you see really good deals.

When decorating a home good is in the details, and adding a detail like a crystal door knob is a way to make your home feel like a mansion!  It’s also a really good DIY project that even the most beginner of beginner’s can successfully complete in an afternoon.  The only major roadblock I see for beginners is having to repair or refurbish old crystal door knobs, but if the ones that you’re working with are new or in good condition this will be very easy.

Entry Door Knobs

For a completed look of the exterior of your home, a decorative entry door knob is a must.  There are thousands of different ones to choose from, and that number greatly increases when you’re also considering antique entry door knobs.  The good news is that they’re easy to find, and aren’t too expensive or difficult to install.

How do you choose which entry door knob is right for your house?  This really depends on how far you are into designing the front of your home.  If you’ve completed the landscaping and lighting, you can find a door knob that fits that theme.  I recommend that your exterior lights, entry door knob, and your mailbox (if it’s by the door) have a similar look and feel to them.  If you don’t have any of those, you can find a door knob that you really love and build the rest of your design from there.  A well designed front door area really provides a great first impression for visitors and is an easy way to improve the value of your home.

Installing entry door knobs is easy.  There aren’t any extra tools that you need to get the job done, and the kit will usually come with instructions along with the hardware.  If not, take the old one off and you can probably figure it out from there.  The entry door knob will go into the existing inside knob, or you can upgrade that one as well.

Cabinet Door Hinges

Upgrading your cabinet door hinges is one of the easiest DIY home improvement projects.  In most cases, it’s just a matter of unscrewing the old ones and installing the new.  It really doesn’t get much easier than that, and a full kitchen can usually be finished in a single afternoon.  Don’t just limit yourself to kitchen cabinet door hinges, you can swap out the ones in your bathrooms, hallway, or entertainment center.

For the beginner, I recommend finding hinges that match the type that you already have on there.  If they’re overlay hinges, replace them with upgraded overlay hinges.  If you’re more skilled and have the tools to change types of cabinet door hinges it is an option.  You can install concealed hinges if you want the clean look of that style of cabinet.

Each buying situation is unique for cabinet door hinges, but almost every need there is can be found on the internet.  If you’re ordering lots of hinges you’ll end up paying a lot for shipping since they’re heavy.  You can start your search at your local hardware store.  They’ll have lots of choices, but with as many options as there are you should be very picky and keep your search up until you find the perfect one that suits your cabinets.

Brass Hinges

Brass hinges add a level of elegance to any cabinet or door.  The best part about them is that they can replace just about any existing hinge with a simple installation.  You can swap out your old, standard hinges with fancy brass hinges in an afternoon and many times all you need is a screwdriver to do so!

Whatever hinge you need, there is a brass counterpart, even brass butt hinges!  With so many choices you have the opportunity to be picky in what you choose.  Take your time to find the perfect one because it’s out there, you just have to track it down.

A brass hinge only costs a little bit more than its standard counterpart.  You can improve the look and feel of your home without breaking the bank, and probably get it done in a day.

When you’re replacing hinges you’ll usually be able to remove the old ones and install the new ones and it’s done.  The biggest problem that you’ll run into, and this is especially true with brass door hinges, the plate that mounts to the frame and door may be larger and thicker than the original one was.  If you run into this problem, you’ll need a chisel to increase the size of the mounting area so that the hinge will sit flush on the door.  This is a minor adjustment, and most DIY home owners shouldn’t have a problem getting it done.  Just be sure to have a vacuum cleaner on hand to suck up the sawdust!

Butt Hinges

Butt hinges are the King Kong of the hinge world.  The most common use of a butt hinge is a truck tailgate, but they have tons of other uses.  These hinges are almost always welded on, but there are also some that come with holes for bolts or screws.

These are primarily for industrial use, and generally not recommended for home use, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use them.  You have to be ready for a heavy duty installation and have the tools necessary.  They are absolutely overkill for just about every home use you can imagine, but would be the perfect look for an industrial themed home.  They come in bronze, brass, black, and a slew of other colors.

When looking for these hinges the best places to start are the hardware store or online.  If you’re looking at the hardware store they probably won’t be with the rest of the hinges and door accessories, they will probably be with the construction materials.  You can find most butt hinge styles online, but the shipping is going to be quite high due to their massive size and weight.

Most butt hinges are untreated steel, which means that they’re going to rust very easily.  If you’re using these in your home I recommend finding some that are painted or are made from something that won’t rust.

Oil Rubbed Bronze Hinges

If you’re looking to add a touch of class to a simple cabinet or door oil rubbed bronze hinges are the way to go.  They add a classy and rustic feeling to every installation and can usually just be swapped out with the current hinge.  Bronze is very strong, so these hinges can take years of abuse and wear and tear.

Oil rubbed door hinges tend to be a bit thicker than a standard door hinge, so some extra woodworking will be necessary to get the hinge to sit flush on the door and door frame.  Aside from that, you can almost always just the old hinge out and install the new one.  Their warm color and feel will really help your house feel like a home.

In the kitchen oil rubbed bronze cabinet hinges are an extremely easy way to jazz up the room.  I’m particularly fond of these hinges on light colored cabinets, but they can also work well with dark and medium toned ones.

There are also oil rubbed toilet hinges and oil rubbed piano hinges for those applications.  Those are very specific and particular needs, so I recommend starting your shopping adventure online before heading down to your hardware store to see if they carry them.

In any application, I recommend using these hinges.  They’re an easy and inexpensive way to improve the look and functionality of any door or cabinet.

Overlay Hinges

Overlay hinges are the common type of cabinet or cupboard hinges.  When a cabinet door is mounted to a frame built onto the face of the cabinet, overlay hinges are needed.

Many overlay hinges are decorative and directional.  This means that you’ll need a right hand and a left hand overlay hinge for each.  They usually mount to the face of the cabinet and on the inside of the cabinet door.  In terms of installation difficulty, these are usually the easiest.  An overlay hinge will usually mount with a small screw or nail.  If you’re worried that the hinge is not secure enough with the screw, put a dab or two of wood glue beneath the hinge plate.  Keep in mind that if you do this, it’s going to be very hard to remove them later, if you choose to.

Overlay hinges can be purchased at most hardware stores.  They also come in generic sizes (1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, etc.) that makes it easy to find the size that you need.  If you’re looking for something more decorative, I recommend trying garage sales or antique stores to see if you can find something that’s cheap and has the hinges that you really want.

Shutter Hinges

Shutter hinges are the perfect accent to any window.  They may seem small and unnoticeable, but a shuttered window with plain hinges will stand out like a sore thumb.  Taking the time to find the right ones will give your room a completed feel.

Exterior shutter hinges have to be high quality, if not they will rust and break in just a few years of weathering.  There are many exterior hinges that are handcrafted by blacksmiths on the East Coast that will last longer than you and your home.  These hinges are more expensive than your hardware store variety, but that price will also cover you never having to worry about them.

Interior shutters hinges are grounded in decoration.  I recommend spending a good amount of time finding the ones that will best suit your home.  It’s very important that you find ones that will make your room look better and do their job properly, especially with wooden shutters.  Most interior shutter hinges are directional, so you will have to buy a right and left hinge for each window.

Installation is different for each set of shutter hinges.  Some will require being flush mounted into the wall or window sill, others are simply drilled right in.  Consider the amount of work that installation will take when purchasing your shutter hinges.  If you’re a DIY homeowner the difficulty of installation will make or break this project.

Cupboard Hinges

Cupboard hinges are one of the easiest things you can change to improve the look and functionality of a room.  In most cases you only have to remove the old hinges and replace them with new ones.  This is especially true with visible kitchen cupboard hinges.  If you don’t want to go through the work of refinishing or replacing your cupboard doors changing out the hinges is a good way to make an improvement.

Cupboard door hinges come in thousands of different styles and shapes.  Most of them are reversible so you can buy them in bulk, but other are directional with a right hand and a left hand side.

My favorite way to get cupboard hinges is at the antique stores and garage sales.  There have been multiple time that I’ve bought a cabinet just to get the door hinges.  Obviously, I have to find something to do with the rest of the cabinet but that’s a different project for a different post!

With so many choices it may be hard to decide what you want.  I recommend taking one of the hinges off of your current doors and bringing it with you to the hardware store or anywhere that you can find hinges.  Having the old cupboard hinge will help you determine size and you’ll be able to contrast old with new to determine if it will really fit with the rest of your kitchen or bathroom.

Concealed Cabinet Hinges

Concealed cabinet hinges give a very sleek and finished look to any set of cabinets.  It doesn’t matter if it’s in the kitchen, bathroom, or garage they look great!  My favorite use for a concealed cabinet hinge is on flat and sharp corned cabinet doors.  Visible hinges on these types of cabinets just doesn’t look right!

Another major benefit of concealed cabinet door hinges is that they’re usually adjustable hinges so you can dial in their position as your house settles into its foundation.

Installing concealed cabinet hinges can be pretty tricky, but doable.  If you’re starting with new cabinet doors it will be the easiest.  You’ll have to drill or miter the hole for the hinge plate to mount flush into the door.  If you’re not comfortable with this, or have the tools to complete the job, I recommend taking it to a local woodworker or cabinet finishing store.

When shopping for concealed hinges keep in mind that they also go by the name European hinges.  The two terms are interchangeable, so when the Home Depot employee gives you a blank stare when you ask where the concealed cabinet hinges are you should try the other term!

Adjustable Hinges

Adjustable hinges are one of the sweetest inventions in the last hundred years or so.  Houses and foundations settle after they’ve been built and when that happens door frames stop sitting square.  This is also a common problem during basement remodeling.  Sticky doors have traditionally been fixed by inserting a shim under the guilty hinge, but now you don’t need to do that anymore!  Adjustable door hinges do the work for you.

These hinges work with a screw that when turned will adjust the vertical and horizontal set of the door.  The average adjustable door hinge will give you 2-3mm of wiggle room each direction, which is normally plenty to unstick a door.  Originally, the adjustments had to be made before the door was installed, but now you can adjust as you wish while the door is on with the simple turn of a screw.

An adjustable hinge certainly isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as a traditional one, but in terms of functionality it reigns supreme.  They’re almost always black and industrial looking, but function over fashion has to win sometimes!

Keep in mind that the plates of these hinges are deeper than a traditional hinge so during installation you’ll have to chisel a bit more out of the door and the door frame.  Generally, you want to install these hinges when a house has just been finished being built and adjust them as needed from there.  They can also be installed on any door that has problems sticking.

These hinges are quite a bit more expensive than their static counterparts.  Expect to pay between $20 and $40 for a quality adjustable hinge.  Adjustable cabinet hinges and adjustable gate hinges are also available.

Installing Hinges

Installing hinges is a DIY home improvement job that just about everyone can do, as long as they know how to use a drill and have a semi-steady hand with a chisel.  I’m also going to assume that you know right from left…

There are right handed doors and left handed doors.  The easiest way to tell the difference is the side that the hinge is on when the door opens in is its side.  If you open a door in (push) and the hinge is on the right, the door is right handed, and vice versa for a left handed door.

Cabinets are always going to be the opposite of the side the hinge is on since you pull cabinets open.  If a cabinet’s hinge is on the right, the door is left handed.

Luckily, you don’t need to worry too much about all of that since most hinges are reversible!

When deciding which side you should hang the door and install the hinges, you  have to consider who’s going to get hit when door is opened.  In bedrooms and front doors you always want the hinge to be on the inside of the door jamb so the door is pulled from the bedroom or entry way.  Garage doors will be the opposite.

Most door hinges sit flush with the wood.  This means that you’ll have to use a sharp chisel to knock that amount of wood out of the door frame.  Start by using a razor blade to score the outline of the hinge plate and start working the chisel to get the wood out.  It’s much harder to convince yourself to take a chisel to your door jamb than it actually is to get the job done!  You’ll have to chisel the same depth on the part of the door that corresponds with that part of the hinge.

If a door sticks at the top you can either chisel farther down where the hinge meets the door, or drill a thin shim into the bottom hinge at the door jam.

Installing hinges isn’t a hard DIY job, but you have to get over the fear of jamming the chisel into your door and door frame!

Garage Door Weather Stripping

Garage door weather stripping is dual function tool that helps protect your home and save you money.  The main purpose of this type of weather stripping is to keep the elements out of your garage.  Rain and snow can seep under an unprotected wooden garage doors and get all of your good stuff in the garage wet.  This is especially problematic if the door into your house is the same level as your garage floor.  Water can easily make its way into your home!

The secondary benefit of this minor garage door repair is that it helps to keep hot and cold air out of your garage.  You might not think that your garage will affect the temperature of the inside of your home, but when left unprotected it’s one more exposed entry way that leaks air in and out all the time.

Garage door weather stripping usually comes in ten and thirty foot measurements, and you can use the ten foot size to cover any odd measurements you may have.  When it’s time to install garage door weather stripping it’s as easy as laying out your materials and nailing it in to the bottom of the garage door.  Most kits will come with everything you need, but if they don’t be sure to have a hammer and some roofing nails on hand.

Be sure that you don’t cut the stripping that’s hanging off until you’re finished.  You may want to adjust it before you’re done and that can be difficult if you’re missing a few inches off of one side!!

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