The #1 Reason Your Front Door Feels Drafty (And It’s Not the Door)

Home and Door
Jan 11
2 min read

If cold air seems to sneak in every time winter hits, your front door often takes the blame. But in many homes, the door itself is not the real problem.

The most common cause of a drafty front door is actually what surrounds it.

Where drafts really come from

Over time, homes settle. Materials expand and contract. Weatherstripping compresses. Thresholds wear down. Even a perfectly solid door can feel drafty if the frame, seals, or installation are compromised.

Common draft entry points include:

Worn or flattened weatherstripping
Gaps between the frame and wall
A loose or deteriorated threshold
Poor alignment caused by settling

These small gaps allow cold air to seep in quietly, often going unnoticed until temperatures drop.

Easy ways to confirm the source

Homeowners can do a few simple checks:

Hold a candle or incense stick near the edges of the door and watch for flickering
Feel along the threshold and corners on a cold day
Look for visible daylight around the frame

If the draft is coming from around the door, not through it, replacement may not be necessary.

When a repair is enough

In many cases, replacing weatherstripping, adjusting the frame, or installing a new threshold can dramatically improve comfort and energy efficiency.

When replacement makes sense

If the door itself is warped, damaged, or no longer seals properly even after adjustments, replacement may be the better option. A professional evaluation helps ensure you fix the real issue instead of guessing.