Is there a way to add insulation to a drafty condo door without causing damage to the walls in the Midwest winter?
Asked by Malik Mitchell 
3 weeks ago
Last Updated: November 2, 2024
Hey there,
So, I’m dealing with a chilly situation in my upper condo during winter. The front door/foyer area at the bottom of the stairs is always freezing cold. I’ve tried fixing it by replacing the garage service door, the weather stripping, and the front storm door, but it’s still frosty in there. I’ve checked for gaps and can’t seem to find any. Do you think there might be a lack of insulation on the sides of the door? If so, how can I add more insulation without wrecking the walls? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and please be gentle with me on this one š
Similar situation here, we also have a lack of insulation in our 3 story townhouse. The front hall is freezing and using baseboard heating is too expensive.
Oh, does it have to be plugged in? My electric bill can go as high as $250-$350 during the colder months, all because of the front door
Yeah, it’s an electric heater so you have to plug it directly into the wall. I got it to help out my electric baseboards since they’re too power-hungry and slow. I started using it last winter and saw a 20% drop in my bills, saving me around $50 a month. So, I basically save enough to cover the cost of the heater every month
Alex Tappin would it be worth it if I plan on moving in the spring/summer?
We purchased the GOVEE smart heater on sale for $50-60 from Amazon. We placed it by the front door and use the app to set schedules. For example, it comes on before the girls wake up and turns off when we leave for school/work. It also comes on before we come home and turns off when we go upstairs. Then, it comes on again just before bedtime for added comfort and savings.
I’m curious if the door is insulated. You might consider putting a rug or tapestry on it. It’s a simple solution, but it does make a difference.
I’ve got a draft blocker between my two doors and a rug with a mat underneath
Do you know if there’s a heat source nearby?
Mentioned a blow heater that’s plugged into the wall, but it really hikes up my electric bill haha!
Oh, gotcha. So it’s like a space that doesn’t have heating. The key is to prevent cold air from getting in. Any windows in that area?
There’s a window on the door and the storm door is actually made of glass.
So I was thinking, could I possibly put some plastic on the inside of this door?