With the travel bans and heavy snow hitting NYC and the Northeast over the coming days, hunkering down at home is the only option, so it's crucial to keep warm, make sure you're well stocked up with supplies, and that you have measures in place in case the power or heating goes out.
One way to protect your home from extreme cold is to seal around your doors and windows to reduce the drafts caused by the cyclone's icy blasts. If you have a modern kerf door (one with a pre-cut slot and casing-free door jamb), this adhesive-free weather stripping foam (available at Amazon) is a great option, for under $16.
If you're not sure whether this type of sealant is suitable for you or your door style, don't worry, we have shared plenty more options and advice on draft-proofing all types of doors below.
With nearly 3000 5-star reviews on Amazon, this foam sealant fits snugly into doorframes with pre-cut grooves, without the need for sticky tapes or adhesives, while the foam is covered with a durable, waterproof UP cover to protect against dirt and moisture, which can lead to mold.
If you don't have a kerfed door jamb, there are several different types of draft-proofing options that you can try, from foam or rubber tape to tube-shaped draft stoppers (Amazon) that attach to your internal doors, and self-adhesive bristles (Amazon) that stick to the bottom of doors.
Punteha van Terheyden, our Head of Solved, has personal experience of dealing with drafts: 'I dealt with a drafty front door in my newly-built home, and it had a stark and negative impact on my family's comfort, and our bills, pushing them up by hundreds over the course of a cold, windy winter and spring. I tried multiple methods to fix my entryway drafts – these are some quick methods you can use right now to block cold drafts.'
First of all, Punteha advises against stick-on bristles if you have a large gap below your door. 'If the gap under your front door is more than an inch, a stick- on solution with bristles will not suffice because cold air will still push through. Try one with a solid neoprene seal (Amazon), as that will do the job efficiently and stand the test of time.'
Punteha also recommends thinking longer term and opting for a washable door stopper (Amazon). 'The snow will lead to mud during big spring melts, so placing a door stopper like this in front of both external doors and internal doors will allow for two chances to stop mess and cold from entering your home. And, when the covers inevitably start looking tired, a quick spin in your washer will have them looking presentable again.'
Adding a temporary door sealant can significantly reduce drafts coming into your home, as well as stabilising the temperature within individual rooms, when you apply these solutions to internal doors. Once the chill has passed, they can then be easily removed or washed and stowed away for next winter.
More Door Sealants to Keep the Cold Out
Punteha recommends a neoprene seal, like this, as an effective way to prevent drafts. With a strong adhesive, this tape can be cut to fit all manner of doors and windows and is flexible to fit around curves and corners.
Slip this draft excluder under your internal doors for double-sided protection against drafts within your home. The soft material won't scratch your flooring and they come if different colors to suit your decor.
With handy hanging loops for storage when not in use and adhesive tape to attach it to your door, this entire door stopper can be put in the washing machine when it starts to look grubby, before re-using.
Simply cut this strip to size using a hacksaw and slide onto the bottom of a door. The compression will hold it in place whilst the vinyl fins will help to combat drafts when the door is closed.
Whilst this might not be up to the job if the gap under your door is more than one inch, it can be effective at preventing drafts under sliding doors and windows, as well as under cupboards or shelving on drafty floors.
This weather sealing tape is made from flexible silicone and can be applied to any pesky cracks around the edges of doors and windows to keep drafts at bay. Plus, it's clear so won't impact on your room aesthetics.
You can find plenty more draft-proofing tips, tricks, and advice on the Homes & Gardens site to ensure your home stays as cozy as possible during the extreme weather conditions.
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