What Is a Door Sweep? Types, Installation, and More

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.

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

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.