#EXTERIOR DOOR SWEEP INSTALL#
You can install a door sweep while the door is in place, but it is easier to remove the door and lay it down on a flat surface to install the sweep.Door sweeps should be installed on the inside of an exterior door since most exterior doors open inward.A door sweep is used to close the gap between the top of the threshold and the bottom of the door. The threshold is the sloped piece that sits on top of the sill. The door sill is the portion of the door frame that sits directly on the foundation of your house.Door sweeps over $15 are often simply longer sweeps with add-ons like Velcro attachments or special fabrics. With door sweeps, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean better quality. You may see some manufacturer warranties in this price range, too.
The main difference here is the quality of the workmanship. Most of them are 36 inches wide, but some of the adhesive models are longer so you can cut them down to size. These are basic sweeps, attached with either screws or adhesive. The least expensive door sweeps cost under $10. The most common colors are black, brown, white, gray, bronze, clear, tan, and aluminum finish. Colorĭoor sweeps are available in neutral colors to match most doors. In some cases, they’re actually more expensive than permanent door sweeps. Just because they’re held in place by adhesive, though, doesn’t mean they’re always cheaper. These are generally permanent installations.ĭoor sweeps that are held in place with adhesive strips are normally temporary or seasonal door sweeps. Heavier door sweeps use screws to hold the sweep in place on the door. Some door sweeps have rolled bottoms, which are made of fabric filled with styrofoam. The upper part is often made of lightweight aluminum, while the lower part may be bristles made of nylon or solid blades made of high-quality rubber, vinyl, or silicone. The upper part of a door sweep attaches to the door, and the lower part seals the gap between the door and the threshold. If stopping those power bill-inflating drafts is your primary concern, a blade door sweep is definitely the one for you. And, as noted earlier, bristles are very good at discouraging rodents.ĭoor sweeps with solid blades are far and away the best at keeping out drafts. If you have an older home and your floors are uneven, a bristle door sweep is an excellent option as well. A bristle door sweep can be set low enough to fill the grout lines. If you have a tile floor with grout lines between the tiles, those trenches are lower than the surface of the floor and a solid blade won’t reach them. It’s a valid criticism, but only to a point. Each type has its pros and cons.ĭoor sweeps with bristles are much maligned because they don’t prevent drafts as well as sweeps with solid blades.
There are two types of door sweeps: those with bristles at the bottom and those with a solid blade at the bottom, also known as a fin. For instance, rodents can readily chew through solid door sweeps, but they hate the feel and sensation of bristle-type door sweeps and tend to avoid them. If you’re trying to keep out or prevent something specific, this may change the type of door sweep you need to install.
For the most part, that’s true, but there are other things door sweeps can be used to block as well, including insects, rodents, light, moisture, smoke, and fire. Most people think of door sweeps as keeping out drafts by keeping heat inside during the winter and keeping it out during the summer. Measure the gap under your door so you’ll know what kind of door sweep to look for. Some door sweeps only work with gaps up to a certain height. The next thing you need to measure is the gap under the door, from the bottom of the door to the threshold. Make sure you measure your door before you buy. If you have a newer house, you’ll likely need a longer door sweep as the new standard door width is 36 inches. If you have an older house, your exterior doors will probably fit door sweeps of those widths. Most older doors are 28, 30, or 32 inches wide. The first thing you need to consider is the width of the door you’re putting the door sweep on. Take it off the door and reposition it a quarter of an inch higher. If your door sweep is leaving marks, it means it’s set too low and you need to raise it.
A properly adjusted door sweep should not leave any wear marks on your floor.
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