Chimney sweep costs can be dramatically affected by the type of chimney, its location, and how dirty it is.
What Is a Door Sweep? Types, Installation, and More
Keep things sealed with a door sweep
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Common types of door sweeps include strip sweeps with vinyl, bristle sweeps for uneven floors, under-door sweeps for tight seals, and automatic sweeps.
Your door sweep choice depends on your floor type, gap size, and whether you want exterior or interior installation for the best seal.
Measure the gap between your door and floor before buying a sweep, as most models seal gaps ranging from 3/8 to 1/2 inch.
Hiring a local door repair professional keeps installation simple and safe, especially for sweeps that need door removal or precise fitting for heavy doors.
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Door sweeps are small but mighty and keep your doors sealed from the elements outside. If you notice a cold draft in the winter or pesky pests in the summer, installing or replacing your sweep can do wonders. Before choosing one for your home, here’s everything you need to know about door sweeps.
What Is a Door Sweep?
A door sweep is also called a draft stopper because it helps keep unwanted drafts, debris, insects, and moisture from entering your home via the bottom of an exterior door. It’s a simple addition with many benefits, from increasing your home's energy efficiency to better soundproofing. You can choose from various door sweep types and materials.
Angi Tip
Sealing gaps and weatherstripping can save up to 20% in annual energy bills according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Types of Door Sweeps
Here are the different door sweep types to choose from. They’ll all get the job done but differ by material, shape, and installation method. For complex installations, hire a door repair pro who can recommend materials and seal door gaps with a new door sweep.
Strip Door Sweeps
Strip door sweeps are the most common type and are easily installed with either peel-and-stick adhesive or a screw-on mount. The mount is made of plastic or metal, often aluminum, with a vinyl strip.
Bristle Door Sweeps
Bristle door sweeps are a type of strip door sweep, but instead of a vinyl strip, they have nylon or PVC bristles. Vinyl sweeps create a stronger seal but require the floor to be flush. Bristle door sweeps are ideal for uneven floors because they conform to your flooring. The downside is that they may allow insects, air, and some moisture to seep through.
Under-Door Sweeps
Under-door sweeps snap onto the bottom of your door and have several vinyl fins. Because of these fins, these sweeps provide some of the tightest seals. You can install them without hardware to seal smaller gaps than other sweep types.
They’re also not as obvious visually, so it’s a good option if you want a discreet sweep. Some models require you to remove the door before you install it, which is a more complicated process than installing a strip sweep.
Automatic Sweeps
Automatic sweeps, or spring-action sweeps, are installed on the interior of the home. A spring inside the door sweep moves it up and out of the way when you open the door, and the sweep lowers to the ground when you close the door. These seal gaps up to 1/2 inch and are made of aluminum and vinyl. Some models work on uneven floors.
Choosing a Door Sweep
Photo: Dorling Kindersley / Dorling Kindersley RF / Getty Images
Now that you have a better idea of the door sweep types, consider these additional factors before purchasing one.
Interior vs. Exterior
Most door sweeps are installed on the side of the door that faces the exterior, although some models call for an interior installation. Check the information on the sweep model before you move forward, especially if you’re looking for the best seal possible. For the best results, look for a sweep that attaches to the exterior side.
Door Sweep Sizes
You can easily trim door sweeps to fit your doorframe, but if you have a large, non-standard-sized door, measure it to make sure the sweep you want is long enough. Most sweeps are 36 inches long and can be trimmed for standard door sizes with a hacksaw.
Another measurement you need before buying a sweep is the space or gap between the bottom of your door and the ground. The manufacturer will specify the gap each model can seal, ranging from 3/8 to 1/2 inch.
Door Sweep Colors
Door sweeps are usually white, although they can also be black, silver, or bronze. Since sweeps are practical rather than decorative, the best option is a color that blends into your door.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
The easiest DIY job is a peel-and-stick strip door sweep since you only need to press the adhesive against the door to install it. Otherwise, many sweep types require you to cut it to length with a hacksaw and use screws to secure the mount. This is a straightforward job for anyone familiar with basic tools.
On the other hand, if your sweep requires you to remove the door for installation, consider calling a door repair pro near you to help. Some doors are extremely heavy, and if you don’t have experience removing or installing doors, getting a pro to help will ensure the job is done safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Door services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.8★ avg. • 25 total reviews
- Sue B.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors - Maggie M.
Jason has helped me with multiple household projects, with the most recent being new door installation. He has always showed up on time and organized and has done an incredible job! Jason is very professional and he's now my go-to for anything around my house that needs to be fixed or...
Huff Garage Rescue, LLC - Thomas S.
Company came to look at my garage door that was off track. They also said I needed a brace on the other garage door. They put the door back on track, and I paid to install the brace. The technician told me I needed a new garage door opener, and it would cost $1000. Red flags went off in...
Precision Overhead Garage Door Service - Lisa S.
On Sunday 2/26 I requested quotes via Angi from 4 refrigerator repair businesses. Northwest Appliance responded to me Monday morning (2/27) and my refrigerator was repaired by noon the same day. Great communication, they did everything they said they would. The technician had the parts on...
- Warren C.
Excellent customer service and knowledge. I was recommend to him from my neighbour. My front door and window came in great and were installed beautifully perfectly, I m very satisfied with their excellent work, so decided to order one more big bow window for my living room. I cant wait for...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Matthew L.
Called ahead and worked quickly to install keyless locks on vintage wooden doors.
Expert Lock and Key, LLC - Lori M.
Scott did not get appropriate access to the property prior to the scheduled inspection which required us to come back later in the day to complete it. He also, unprofessionally, knocked on a neighbor?s door in his attempts to reach someone with access. His overall report was fine though the...
Security First Home Inspections - Gary K.
Door Depot was very responsive - they came out the day after my call to assess my needs, then returned at my convenience to complete the work. They arrived early, and the work was completed in a shorter period of time than estimated. Very pleased with the results. I would definitely use them...
Door Depot LLC - Jim L.
Replace garage doors: Fast response, competitive estimate, timely work done well.
Village Garage Door - Dana M.
Jeremiah did an awesome job cleaning 28 windows inside and out! He was fast, efficient and now I have a beautiful view again. This was a Groupon for $139 for 20 windows, but I had 28 windows/doors cleaned, so there was an extra $6 per window. Totally worth it.
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