Winter is almost upon us, and every Buffalonian knows what that means. Snow, snow, and more snow will begin piling up on our streets and lawns, forcing us indoors. As such, it’s more important now than ever before to make sure your home is warm and comfy for the months ahead. The best place to start is with addressing your front door.
Buffalo winter is tough on doors. Cold winds find tiny gaps, wet snow tests finishes, and an unsealed entry drives up heating costs. The good news is that a front door can be tuned for winter in a single afternoon with the right steps and materials. Use this guide to seal drafts, improve comfort, and protect your home all season.
Step 1: Find and seal the air leaks
Start with a quick inspection on a windy day or with a bathroom fan running.
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Look for daylight at the frame, sill, and corners.
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Try the dollar bill test. Close the door on a dollar bill and pull. If it slides out easily, that spot is leaking.
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Use an incense stick and trace the perimeter. Smoke that bends inward marks a leak.
Fixes that work:
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Replace worn weather stripping with kerf in silicone or quality vinyl foam. Match the profile to your door and press for a consistent seal.
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Seal interior trim gaps with paintable acrylic latex caulk. Seal exterior frame to siding with polyurethane or high-quality exterior silicone. Use backer rod for larger joints.
Step 2: Tune the threshold and door sweep
A tight seal at the bottom stops the worst drafts.
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Adjust an aluminum threshold so it just kisses the door bottom. You should feel light resistance on a sheet of paper.
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Install a new door sweep if bristles or fins are torn or misshapen. For steel or fiberglass doors, a U-shaped door bottom with dual fins is a durable upgrade.
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Confirm the gap is even. Aim for about the thickness of a nickel when the door is latched.
Pro tip: Tighten hinge screws with 3-inch screws that bite into the framing. This pulls the door true and improves the seal at the latch side.
Step 3: Protect glass, sidelites, and finishes
Glass and trim can be hidden sources of heat loss and moisture.
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Re-caulk the exterior perimeter of glass inserts and sidelites. Use a flexible, paintable sealant.
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Add insulated shades to full-view glass for nighttime heat retention.
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Clean, lightly sand, and touch up paint or finish on exposed wood. Winter moisture is hard on bare corners and edges.
If you see condensation between glass layers, the seal has failed, and the insert may need replacement.
Step 4: Add a storm door or consider a new insulated door
An extra layer can make a big difference in Buffalo weather.
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A storm door creates a buffer against wind and helps keep snow away from the primary door. Choose low-E glass and a full sweep at the bottom.
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Avoid storm doors on dark colored doors with full sun exposure. Trapped heat in spring can be excessive.
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If the door is warped, rotten, or chronically drafty, a new insulated unit can pay back quickly. Look for an Energy Star-rated fiberglass or steel door with a low U factor, compression gaskets, and a quality adjustable threshold.
Quick front door winter checklist
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Weather stripping is soft, continuous, and makes full contact
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Threshold and sweep meet with no visible light
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Interior and exterior caulk joints are intact and flexible
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Hinges tight, latch and strike aligned, door closes cleanly
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Finish is sealed at the bottom edges and exposed corners
Two or more misses usually point to easy savings with a few targeted fixes.
When to call a professional
Reach out if the door rubs or drags, the opening is out of square, you see water staining at the sill, or you plan to replace the unit. Proper shimming, flashing, and sill pan details are critical to long-term performance in our climate.
Ready for a warm, draft-free entry
If your front door needs more than a quick tune-up, Ivy Lea Construction can help. We repair, weatherize, and replace entry doors across Buffalo and Western New York, and we install them with the details that matter in winter.
Call 716-875-8654 or request a hassle-free estimate to get your entry ready before the next cold snap.