Types of Door Sweeps
There are Three Main Types of Door Sweeps:
Sweep-only systems. Sweep-only systems consist of a sweep alone, or a sweep and threshold kit that attaches to the bottom of the door. These are typically used in new construction where the flooring is level with the threshold.
Full-length systems. Full-length systems consist of a sweep that spans from one side of the door to the other, with no gaps between them, as in a sweep-only system. Full-length systems are typically used in older homes where there is a gap between the flooring and threshold.
Thresholds and thresholds with sweeps together. Thresholds and thresholds with sweeps together consist of an adjustable threshold with an attached full length sweep on either side of it that spans from one side of the door to the other without any gaps between them. This type of system is often used when installing new flooring or replacing old worn-out floors.
Different Door Sweep Designs
1. Brush Door Sweep
A brush door sweep is an inexpensive, easy-to-install option for a variety of applications. It is made up of a plastic or metal strip with a series of bristles that are bent or curved at the end. When installed on a door, the bristles hold open the gap between the bottom of the door and the threshold when it closes.
Brush door sweeps are typically used in residential and commercial applications. They can be installed on interior doors and exterior doors. A brush door sweep may also be referred to as a weatherstrip, which may include more than one piece to completely cover an entire opening.
The most common type of brush door sweep is made from metal, and it can be purchased with either plastic or metal ends. Metal ends provide more durability than plastic ends, but they can also be more expensive than their counterparts. Metal ends are also harder to install because they require drilling into place, while plastic ends are easier to install because they simply snap into place.
2. Flat Door Sweep
A flat door sweep is a simple yet effective way to keep your door from slamming. These sweeps are made from flexible materials that can easily be cut to fit any size of door frame.
3. Concealed Door Sweep
A concealed door sweep is designed to be installed on the inside of the door frame, making it easy to hide behind the wall when not in use. When you need it, just pull it out and place it against the bottom of your door, then push it back into its hiding spot when you’re done.
4. Roller Door Sweep
A roller door sweep works like a regular flat sweep, but instead of being flat, this type of sweep has several rollers attached to it that will help prevent the door from slamming shut on its own. This option works best for doors that have a lot of weight behind them, such as ones with glass in them or those made from heavy wood or metal materials.
5. Tubular Door Sweep
The tubular door sweep is made of flexible plastic tubing with an adhesive backing on one side. It’s cut to size and installed on the bottom edge of a door by sticking it to the floor with double-sided tape or with screws. Tubular door sweeps work well for doors that are opened frequently, but not for high traffic areas such as entrances or hallways.
6. Foam Door Sweep
Foam door sweeps come in two forms: open cell foam or closed cell foam. Both types are made from polyurethane foam and have a layer of adhesive on one side that allows them to stick directly onto a wood or metal door bottom without any additional fasteners needed. Foam door sweeps are best suited for light-use areas such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or pantries where they’ll be exposed to moisture from wet feet or hands but won’t see heavy traffic like hallways or kitchens would require.
7. Automatic Door Bottoms
These are made to be installed on the bottom edge of a swinging door. They have an arm that extends out and then retracts when the door closes. This helps to prevent water from getting inside your home or business.
Automatic Door Bottoms are often used on high-traffic doors and are not very visible unless you’re looking for them.
8. Rain Gutters
Rain gutters are very similar to automatic door bottoms, but they’re designed to be installed on top of the top of a swinging door. They prevent water from collecting on the top of your door where it can freeze during cold weather, causing damage to your door frame and threshold.
9. Door Sweep Rods
Door sweep rods are usually installed on each side of a sliding glass door or French doors, although they can also be used on other types of doors as well. The rod fits into holes drilled in your door frame and attaches to the bottom of the door with brackets. This makes it easier for people to open and close the doors without damaging them by brushing against them with their shoes or clothing.
10. V Strips
V strips are one of the most common types of door sweeps. They are usually made from rubber or plastic and are used on both sides of a door. The V shape allows the door to close without rubbing against the floor.
11. L Shaped Door Sweeps
L-shaped door sweeps are similar to v strips, but they have two pieces instead of one. They can be used on either side of a door and provide more protection for your flooring than V strips do.
12. Beavertail Door Sweeps
Beavertail door sweeps are also called butt hinges or butt hinges with wings. These types of door sweeps are used when there is no space between the bottom of your door and the ground. They feature a rounded beavertail that fits over the hinge pin on your door so it can’t fall down into the crack below your door jamb when you close it.
13. Wrap Around/U-shaped Door Sweep
This is the most common type of door sweep, with U-shaped flaps that attach to the top and bottom of the door. The sweep fits over the threshold, where it’s anchored by screws or nails.
14. Sill Plate Door Sweep
This type of door sweep attaches at both ends, using screws or nails to hold it in place on either side of the threshold. In some cases, you may be able to adjust its length to ensure that it fits properly into any gaps between your flooring material and walls. It’s also available in several different colors, so you can match it to your décor.
15. Door Stop
A door stop is a small wedge-shaped piece of plastic or metal that sits against your wall when you close your door. It prevents doors from swinging inward too far and hitting against walls or other objects in your home. There are a number of different types of door sweeps that you can use to seal and protect your home.
Some are very similar, while others have specific uses. Here are the most common types:
16. Weather Stripping
This type of door sweep is used to seal gaps around exterior doors, windows and other openings like fireplaces and chimneys. Weather stripping works by creating a tight seal against the surface it is attached to, thereby reducing air leaks. There are many different types of weather stripping available, but they all generally fall into one of these categories:
17. Rubber strips
These are flexible strips made from rubber or neoprene that fit into grooves in the door frame and door casing (the trim around the opening). They work well at keeping out wind and rain, but may not be effective if there is significant snowfall or heavy winds in your area.
18. Metal strips
These are usually made from aluminum or steel and are often sold in sets with matching nails or screws for easy installation. They’re commonly used on commercial buildings because they’re extremely durable, but they’re not always practical for residential homes due to their weight. Metal door sweeps also require some maintenance as they’ll rust over time if left untreated.
19. Foam Stripping
Foam stripping works best with doors that swing inward. It’s installed on the floor in front of the door so that it seals against this area when the door closes. The seal helps reduce drafts from coming into your home through cracks around or under your door.
It also keeps water out if there’s a leak in your basement or crawl space below your home’s foundation.
20. Felt Door Bottoms
These are made of felt and come in different sizes to fit different types of doors. The felt is great because it is easy to cut and install, plus it is soft so it won’t damage your flooring. You don’t want a hard material like wood scraping against your expensive carpet!
21. Sliding Glass Door Bottoms
These work well for sliding glass doors because they allow air to pass through them easily while keeping out dust and dirt from getting into your home through these large openings. They come in different sizes so make sure you measure first before buying one!
22. Wooden Door Bottoms
These wooden bottoms are used for both exterior and interior doors because they give an elegant look as well as protect your floors from being scratched or damaged by a hard surface moving across the floor.
Do Door Sweeps Go on the Inside or Outside?
Door sweeps are used to protect your home from water and air infiltration. They’re often installed on the bottom of exterior doors, but some people install them on the top to keep rain out. While there are many different types of door sweeps and installation methods, for exterior doors, the most common way is to install them on the outside.
How Do You Know if You Need a Door Sweep?
If you live in a cold climate with snow and ice and want protection from the elements, then installing a door sweep is a good idea. This will help prevent water from coming in through your door when it rains or snows, as well as stop drafts from getting into your home through cracks around your door. It will also keep bugs out by preventing gaps between the frame and threshold where they can enter your home.
Should a Door Sweep Touch the Floor?
The traditional answer is that a door sweep should touch the floor. But today, because of our concern for energy efficiency, an increasing number of people are asking whether it’s necessary. Here’s why: The purpose of a door sweep is to help seal the gap under doors that don’t fit perfectly.
They’re designed to keep out drafts and reduce air leakage, but they also keep out some heat. If you have a tight-fitting door, then this isn’t an issue. But if your door doesn’t fit tightly (as many older homes do), then an old-school sweep can impede the flow of warm air around the base of the door.
If you live in a cold climate or heat with oil or wood, this can result in a net loss of heat from your house — which means higher heating bills and more work for your furnace. If you don’t want to hang a traditional door sweep on your front door, consider installing one on an inside door instead — especially if it leads to a room that gets little use during winter months (like a basement). This will help seal any gaps around that door even if yours doesn’t fit perfectly closed all year round.
How Do I Choose a Door Sweep?
There are a lot of things to think about when choosing a door sweep, but the most important thing is that it fits your door and door frame.
Door sweeps come in two different types:
- Standard door sweeps – These are designed to fit standard doors and standard door frames. They come in various sizes and shapes, so you’ll be able to find one to match your door perfectly.
- Customized door sweeps – Custom-made door sweeps are made specifically for your home or business. They’re made from wood or metal and can be painted or stained any color to match your décor.
Are All Door Sweeps the Same Size?
Door sweeps come in a variety of sizes and shapes. For example, some are long and narrow, while others are short and broad. You should measure the door sweep you need before you purchase it to ensure it will fit your door properly.
It is also important that you measure the width of the bottom of your door frame, not just the width of your door itself (the width of the frame may differ slightly from one house to another). This will help ensure that your new door sweep will fit into place and work properly.
Can You Replace a Door Sweep Without Removing the Door?
Most door sweeps can be replaced without removing the door from its hinges. This can be done by removing the old sweep and cutting a new one to size, then installing it using silicone caulk or similar adhesive. Door sweeps are designed to keep water out of a building.
They are usually made of rubber or plastic and may be located on either side of a door or at the bottom. They help seal gaps that might otherwise allow moisture to enter your home. If you suspect that your door sweep needs replacement, look for signs of water damage near the bottom of the door itself.
If you notice any discoloration along with mold or mildew growth, try replacing your door sweep right away.