Door Sweep Weatherstripping

If your door allows drafts of air to pass underneath it, you should strongly consider installing a door sweep. Door sweeps will prevent air from entering and leaving your home, thus saving you a lot of energy on heating and cooling your home, as well as money on your energy bills. While not every door can have a door sweep installed on it, they are still useful in most situations. What follows should give you everything you need to know in order to install one yourself.

Step 1 - Planning the Installation

Before you begin or even purchase any materials, you will need to make sure that you can actually install a sweep on your particular door. To begin, compare the height of your door frame to your floor. Unless your floor is lower than your door frame, you do not have sufficient space to install a door sweep. However, if your floor is lower than your door frame, you may proceed.

Step 2 - Choosing a Sweep

In order to purchase a door sweep that is the appropriate size for your door, you will have to measure your door's width first. Get out your tape measure and figure out how wide it is. Take note of this measurement.

When you purchase your door sweep, choose one that is equal to or greater than this measurement in length.

Step 3 - Sizing the Sweep

Using the measurement you took on your door previously, measure a length on your sweep that you have purchased that is equal to that of your door. Mark this point with your pen, then use a hacksaw to cut through the metal section of the door sweep, assuming there is one. If the rest of the door sweep is a solid material, such as vinyl, cut it with heavy scissors. If it is a brush, however, you may not need to.

Step 4 - Installing the Sweep

Now all that remains is the actual installation of the door sweep. To begin, if there is any weather stripping present, or an old worn out door sweep that you are replacing, remove it. Next, shut your door tightly. This will help you install the door sweep in a way that does not prevent the door from closing normally.

Hold the metal side of the door sweep tightly against the bottom of your door. If they are included, use the screws that came with your kit to fasten the door sweep to the bottom of your door. However, if they are not, you can use any small screws. Do not use any that are larger than 1/2-inch, however, or you risk damaging your door.

Step 5 - Testing the Sweep

Now that the door sweep is firmly attached, you should test it out to be sure that it does not interfere with your door. Try opening and shutting your door several times. Be sure that your door can lock correctly as well. If there is a problem, you will need to remove the door sweep weatherstripping and try again.