Need some ideas for weather proofing the door on my shed

[Chris]

This summer I bought one of those Old Hickory Sheds (the Amish built ones) in a 10x20 size.

It's a pretty nice shed but the one thing I'm finding out with these snow drifts here in northeast Wyoming is that that snow will get in absolutely anywhere it has a chance. We had a huge blizzard all day yesterday and when I went inside the shed this morning there was a mountain of about 1 feet of snow.

Upon further inspection the snow managed to accumulate after getting in the little crack between the front doors (which are a dual door).

I went to Home Depot today to see if I could find some sort of weather stripping solution but I couldn't find anything that looked right. Most of it was just smaller window sealing and the bigger stuff was for garage door bottoms.

I posted some photos of the crack I am dealing with so you can see what I'm dealing with.

I need to find something that is around 1" to 1.5" wide and about 3/4" thick. That ought to fill this gap nicely.

I was thinking some sort of durable foam might work nicely and then I could screw it into place, using some washers on the screws to hold it down nicely.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I'm going to have to find some exterior caulking too and go around the entire outside of the shed. Snow made it into the loft of the shed as well and to do that it had to make it through some tiny, tiny little gaps between the exterior walls!

 

[Chris]

Thinking something like this might do the trick:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008BR9TZ6/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Danarch]

Chris I’d look for something similar to this. I just grabbed the first one I saw, I am sure they have an option with a rubber seal on each side.

https://www.pemko.com/en/products/a...uct-details.aehpdp-355-series-ag_pemko_302334

 

[Granite]

What about a trim strip on the outside to block the gap when the two doors come together? It might require you to always close one side first, if that’s a consideration.

 

[Danarch]

This might be a better option, you could place sealant behind the one side.

https://www.pemko.com/en/products/a...-details-nm.aehpdp-356-series-ag_pemko_302335

 

[Chris]

What about a trim strip on the outside to block the gap when the two doors come together? It might require you to always close one side first, if that’s a consideration.

The doors have to be closed in sequence since they mate in a specific way. So I have no choice but to close the left side first.

I was thinking about this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008BR9TZ6/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I could probably mount that between the gap and I'm thinking it would do the trick.

These snow drifts are amazing. If there is even a tiny hole anywhere the snow will get in.

This might be a better option, you could place sealant behind the one side.

https://www.pemko.com/en/products/a...-details-nm.aehpdp-356-series-ag_pemko_302335

View attachment 587720

That might work too. I think the issue with stuff like this is it's made-to-order it looks like and not something I could pick up locally. Home Depot didn't seem to have what I need but tomorrow I'm going to attempt to find another store that might have what I'm looking for.

 

[Danarch]

It’s standard stuff made by Pemko. Actually found this one on Amazon. You could place sealant or a rubber seal on the fixed side to make sure it seals up. Pemko used to be great stuff.

 

[Chris]

It’s standard stuff made by Pemko. Actually found this one on Amazon. You could place sealant or a rubber seal on the fixed side to make sure it seals up. Pemko used to be great stuff.

View attachment 587723

Ahh yes, that would do the trick.

I saw a lot of foam seals like this at Home Depot but they didn’t seem to have the gutters that they slide into.

 

[flyinfish]

A furring strip half lapped over the opening and fastened to the opening side would be very effective and dirt cheap ($15). You could go the extra mile with a line of weatherstripping under the leading edge of fur strip where it contacts door when closed.

 

[Chris]

A furring strip half lapped over the opening and fastened to the opening side would be very effective and dirt cheap ($15). You could go the extra mile with a line of weatherstripping under the leading edge of fur strip where it contacts door when closed.

That's probably the best idea in all honesty. There's enough of a gap there that a furring strip may work.

I need to measure the gap. My local Home Depot has 1x2x8 furring strips. The 1" is actually .75" which may be too much. I'll go take a measurement tomorrow morning and see.

I'm thinking the gap is more like 1/2" in which case I don't think they make a furring strip that narrow.

 

[flyinfish]

That's probably the best idea in all honesty. There's enough of a gap there that a furring strip may work.

I need to measure the gap. My local Home Depot has 1x2x8 furring strips. The 1" is actually .75" which may be too much. I'll go take a measurement tomorrow morning and see.

I'm thinking the gap is more like 1/2" in which case I don't think they make a furring strip that narrow.

If you can get a 3" or 4" wide strip, just lap half vertically to one side so it looks centered when door is closed.

 

[Chris]

If you can get a 3" or 4" wide strip, just lap half vertically to one side so it looks centered when door is closed.

I see what you're saying. That probably ought to close up the gap significantly, at which point I wouldn't need much in terms of weather stripping to seal it tightly against drafts.

Not sure how effectively I'll be able to lap it, however. I've only got a circular saw and a miter saw at the moment.

I guess I ought to go buy a table saw and a dado stack. I need one anyways...

 

[flyinfish]

I see what you're saying. That probably ought to close up the gap significantly, at which point I wouldn't need much in terms of weather stripping to seal it tightly against drafts.

Not sure how effectively I'll be able to lap it, however. I've only got a circular saw and a miter saw at the moment.

I guess I ought to go buy a table saw and a dado stack. I need one anyways...

I know they sell 1x3's and 1x4's at home depot. You don't need anything mor than a handsaw or circular saw to cut to length and a driver to screw it on. Run a vertical strip of vinyl weatherstripping on under side leading edged of 1" material to really make a tight seal. Paint the strip to match the shed when weather permits.

Don't overthink it, it's a shed and your goal is to stop snow from getting in.

 

[Chris]

I know they sell 1x3's and 1x4's at home depot. You don't need anything mor than a handsaw or circular saw to cut to length and a driver to screw it on. Run a vertical strip of vinyl weatherstripping on under side leading edged of 1" material to really make a tight seal. Paint the strip to match the shed when weather permits.

Don't overthink it, it's a shed and your goal is to stop snow from getting in.

Guess I’m going to Home Depot tomorrow!

 

[Danarch]

I’d look for a piece of aluminum and apply self adhesive foam on the backside. Yes it will cost a little more upfront but the wood furring strip will warp, swell, shrink etc in no time with the snow and the environment it is in. 1” strips are not that stable / of decent quality to last.

 

[Chris]

I’d look for a piece of aluminum and apply self adhesive foam on the backside. Yes it will cost a little more upfront but the wood furring strip will warp, swell, shrink etc in no time with the snow and the environment it is in. 1” strips are not that stable / of decent quality to last.

Not a terrible idea. I think Home Depot sells those L-shaped pieces of aluminum. Might be able to use one of those and the adhesive foam would stick nicely to that.

The gap is big enough though that closing it up some with the furring wood and then some aluminum might work nicely as well.

Seems like a lot of work for a shed, but even one tiny little hole and that snow gets right through.

 

[g.hayduke]

I like the furring strip idea but I would prefer to fasten it to the inside of the left door instead of the outside pf the right door if possible. That way, the wood is protected and exterior appearance is unchanged.

 

[Danarch]

Chris here is my thought. I would apply on the exterior which would help protect the edge of the doors and floor from the snow getting into the opening.

 

[bucky]

How about garage door trim? It’s inexpensive.

 

[bucky]

Another option is exterior door seal. You’ll need to remove the door and run a saw kerf on the edge and then push it in. You might have to use one on each door to cove the gap. These are very cheap and easy to replace as needed.