Finding the Right Door Sweep for Your Home

With or without a security system, your door may allow access to intruders — but not the kind you have in mind. Dust, cold air, bugs, and more use the open spaces between door bottoms to become a mainstay in your house. Protect your energy bill from bloat by installing a standard, foam, self-stick, or automatic exterior door sweep.

A variety of door sweeps are available for a variety of settings within the home. Standard door bottom sweeps are heavy-duty, useful on doors that cross tile or hardwood floors. They have an aluminum carrier and typically last for years. 

Automatic door sweeps are ideal for floors that cross rugs or carpets. When the door is closed the sweeps will close the gap between the threshold and the door, and when the door is open the automatic door sweeps rise, passing over the rug or carpet. Both of these door bottom sweeps come with screws for installation.

Standard Door Sweeps

Install a standard sweep on doors that cross wooden, tiled, or smooth floors of any kind. Standard sweeps need to be screwed into the bottom of a wooden or steel door, but a little labor is worth the benefit. They seal gaps as large as 3/4ths of an inch and have a long lifespan, lasting for years. The most common size is a 36 inch door sweep but you may need a 42 inch door sweep.

Foam Door Sweeps

Renters rejoice! Foam door sweeps install without any screws whatsoever and work on doors that cross nearly any type of flooring: carpet, tile, wood, and more. Typical foam door sweeps come with two tubes and a connected pocket, or sleeve, for each tube. Simply slide one tube into each sleeve and slip it under the door.

Self-Stick Door Sweeps

If you’re not one to “do-it-yourself,” or if you’re simply unable to add or subtract from your living space (as is the case with most apartment units), there are other sweeps that will do the trick just as well. 

Self stick door bottom sweeps are perfect for areas in the home that receive the least amount of heat, such as the basement. If you can peel and press, you can install this without even the thought of breaking a sweat. 

Ideal for those living in apartments or other rented units are exterior door sweeps, they are installed by cutting the two sets of foam tubes to your choosing, placing these into two sleeves, and sliding it under the door. Exterior door sweeps move just as smoothly over the floor and are also machine washable.

Automatic Door Sweeps

Carpeted areas or doors that cross over rugs will get the most benefit out of automatic door sweeps. This exterior door sweep was designed to rise just enough to cross the carpeted area but still seal firmly when the door is closed. 

A little more install work is required here, with screws and a “roller” (plug), but these sweeps seal up to 1/2″ of space between the door and threshold.

Door bottom sweeps come in common colors such as white and brown, and some are even manufactured to allow for painting over. They are relatively simple to install and don’t cause a nuisance once they have been. 

Bottom line: door sweeps are a wonderful way to weatherize your home. They keep the cold air from coming in during the winter as well as allow the warm air to stay inside, and are perfect for any home. Get proactive in your home’s energy security (along with your finances) by investing in door sweeps.

One thought on “Finding the Right Door Sweep for Your Home

  1. Beverly says:

    I have a steel door glide needing replacement. 1 3/4 in width. It is a slide in with guide on door. Cannot find anywhere.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *