Are door draft stoppers worth it?

Door draft stoppers, also known as door snakes or draft dodgers, are padded devices that are placed at the bottom of doors to block drafts and prevent heat or cool air from escaping. They come in various shapes, sizes, materials and can have different fillings. But are they really effective and worth the investment? Let’s take a closer look at how they work and their pros and cons.

What is a door draft stopper?

A door draft stopper is usually a long tube-shaped device that is placed along the bottom of a door to seal gaps and prevent drafts from coming through. Here are some key features:

• Made of fabrics like cotton, vinyl, microfiber or nylon
• Filled with materials like polyester fiberfill, foam, beads or sand
• Weighted bottom to stay in place
• Lengths range from 18 inches to 6 feet
• Diameters around 3-5 inches
• Variety of colors and patterns available

The weighted bottom allows the draft stopper to conform to the space under the door and compress when the door is closed over it. This blocks airflow and insulates the room.

How do door draft stoppers work?

Door draft stoppers work by sealing the small gaps at bottom of doors that allow air exchange between rooms. Here is the mechanism:

• Placed snugly along door’s bottom edge and compressed when door closes
• Fills space under door and insulates air on either side
• Dense fill molds to shape of gap and does not allow air movement
• Prevents conditioned air from escaping and outdoor air from entering
• Reduces energy loss from air leaks through the gap

This Airflow Reduction helps control room temperature better and reduces demands on the heating/cooling system.

Types of door draft stoppers

There are a few different types of draft stoppers to choose from:

Basic Roll Up Draft Stoppers

These are simple tubes filled with fiberfill and weigh around 1-2 lbs. They roll up for easy storage when not in use. Made from fabrics like nylon, microfiber or cotton. inexpensive option under $20.

Self-Adhesive Draft Stoppers

These have an adhesive strip along the length to stick onto door bottom. Can reuse by rewashing adhesive. Easy to install and remove. Priced under $25.

Magnetic Draft Stoppers

Equipped with magnets along the edges to attach to metal door plates. Allows retrofitting to doors. Prices range from $25-$40.

Auto-Retracting Door Draft Stoppers

Spring loaded rollers automatically retract draft stopper when door opens. Convenient option but high price tags around $50.

Smart Draft Stoppers

Advanced draft stoppers with sensors monitor home and auto-inflate or deflate to adjust to gaps. Controlled via app. Very effective but expensive $80+ products.

Pros of Using Door Draft Stoppers

Here are some benefits of using door draft stoppers at home:

Regulate Room Temperature

Draft stoppers prevent loss of cooled/heated air through door gaps. This helps maintain comfortable temps and reduces demands on HVAC systems.

Reduce Energy Bills

Less air leaks means your heater or AC doesn’t have to work as hard. You’ll spend less on electricity and gas heating/cooling your home.

Improve Energy Efficiency

Minimizing drafts improves your home’s air-tightness. This increases energy efficiency as less energy is wasted.

Lower Noise Transfer

Draft stoppers add a sound buffer between rooms, reducing noise transmission through the doorway.

Prevent Dust and Pollen

Sealing air leaks limits intake of outdoor allergens, dust and insects through bottom of door.

Easy to Install

Many draft stoppers just need to be placed at the door bottom. Self-adhesive ones can stick on. Convenient solutions.

Portable and Reusable

Roll up draft stops can move between doors. Use year after year for seasonal insulation.

Cons of Using Door Draft Stoppers

While draft stoppers have many benefits, there are some downsides to consider as well:

Can Create Tripping Hazard

If not installed properly, draft stoppers can create a tripping risk as they obstruct the doorway area. Proper placement is key.

Require Proper Door Clearance

For successful installation, there needs to be adequate clearance under the door for them to fit.

Not for All Door Types

Certain doors like heavy exterior doors, sliding doors or lifted garage doors cannot accommodate draft stoppers.

Effectiveness Depends on Gaps

Larger gaps may still have airflow even with draft stoppers if the product cannot compress adequately.

Can Get Dirty/Damaged Over Time

Draft stoppers can show signs of wear and get dirty. Require occasional cleaning and replacement.

Cheap Models May be Less Durable

Inexpensive draft stoppers likely won’t last as long. Higher quality comes at a higher price.

Factors to Consider When Buying

If considering getting a door draft stopper, keep the following factors in mind:

Factor	Considerations
Door Type	Will it be used on interior or exterior doors? What is clearance underneath?
Gap Size	Measure under door gap. Tight spaces need compact draft stoppers.
Door Material	For metal doors, a magnetic draft stopper may be best option.
Shape	Straight lines or cornered doors? Size and shape should match.
Length	Draft stopper should be 2-3 inches longer than door width.
Filling	Preference for polyester fiber, foam, feathers etc? Affects weight and density.
Use Frequency	Seasonal or year-round? Durability affects cost effectiveness.
Noise Reduction	Thicker, denser materials improve sound dampening ability.
Installation Method	Freestanding or adhesive mounting? Ease of putting on/taking off.
Retraction Style	Manual or automatic retraction when opening door? Convenience factor.
Special Features	Auto-inflate, sensors, smart app controls? Depends on needs.

Taking measurements, checking door clearance, and factoring in your needs will help select the right draft stopper. Analyze which features would best suit the situation.

How to Measure for a Draft Stopper

Follow these simple steps to size a draft stopper correctly:

1. Open door to 90 degrees.
2. Get a measuring tape and measure full width of door from one side to the other in inches.
3. Add 2-3 inches to this width number for proper draft stopper length.
4. Check gap under door using ruler. Ideal to get draft stopper 1 inch larger than gap.
5. Factor approximate door gap size into draft stopper diameter. Needs to compress when door closes.

Having the right length and diameter combination ensures maximum efficiency in stopping air leaks. An oversized draft stopper will bunch up while an undersized one leaves gaps.

How to Make Your Own Draft Stopper

For a DIY option, you can create a basic draft stopper at home with some simple supplies:

What You Need

• Fabric – Cotton, denim, canvas (1/2 to 1 yard depending on length)
• Fiberfill, cotton balls, beads, rice etc for filling (2-5 pounds)
• Measuring tape
• Ruler
• Sewing machine and thread (or hand stitch)
• Fabric glue (for overlaps)

Instructions

1. Measure door width and add 2-3 inches.
2. Cut fabric piece to this length and 6-8 inches wide.
3. Sew fabric into long tube shape with overlap areas.
4. Glue overlaps in place and let dry fully.
5. Fill tube with chosen material, not packing too tight.
6. Stitch one end closed using sewing machine or hand stitch.
7. Place along door bottom and enjoy draft free room!

You can get creative with different fabric patterns, textures, and fillings too. Customizing a homemade draft stopper adds personal flair.

Best Materials for Door Draft Stoppers

Certain materials make better options for draft stoppers:

Outer Fabric Cover

• Cotton – Natural fiber, breathable
• Denim – Durable and heavyweight
• Canvas – Structured and decorative fabric
• Polyester – Colorfast and wrinkle resistant
• Microfiber – Soft with high tensile strength

Inner Fillings

• Polyester Fiberfill – Most common – cushions with loft
• Foam – Dense and molded to shape
• Sand – Weights down the fabric
• Beads – Glass beads insulate and conform
• Rice – Natural filling alternative

Aim for durable, insulating fabrics and malleable fillers that compress well under the door.

Installing Your Door Draft Stopper

Installing a draft stopper takes just a few simple steps:

1. Clean doorway area and under door with vacuum. This allows draft stopper to adhere properly.
2. For roll up styles, unfurl the draft stopper and position evenly along door bottom.
3. For self-adhesive options, remove covering and press in place with firm pressure.
4. For magnetic ones, attach strips parallel to each other on door and frame.
5. For automatic retractable, position side track on one side of door only.
6. Ensure draft stopper extends at least 2 inches wider than door on both sides.
7. Slowly close door, allowing draft stopper to compress snugly.
8. Check for snug fit and air leaks. Readjust as needed until properly sealed.

Take care to follow manufacturer instructions for specialized draft stopper products. Test operation and make sure the door can still open and close smoothly after installation.

How to Make Your Draft Stopper More Effective

Some additional tips for maximizing draft stopper efficiency:

• Look for any tears or leaks – patch fabric if needed
• Refill regularly to maintain tight compression
• Use larger size if gaps persist – compressibility is key
• Install door sweeps/seals if bigger space under door
• Use multiple draft stoppers for wider doorways
• Check placement when closing door to prevent movement
• Consider child/pet safe models big gaps are safety issue

Also caulk and weatherstrip the door jambs to add another layer of air sealing. Multi-point sealing is most effective for energy efficiency and preventing drafts.

Where to Use Door Draft Stoppers

Draft stoppers are useful in these prime locations:

• Front doors
• Back doors
• Side doors leading outside
• Between garage and house
• Between basement and house
• Between crawl spaces and house
• Interior doors separating conditioned spaces
• Bedroom doors
• Bathroom doors
• Nursery doors
• Office doors

External doors and doors between rooms with large temperature differences see the most benefit. Interior doors still gain sound insulation and air flow control from draft stoppers.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Draft stoppers will need occasional cleaning and maintenance:

Laundering

Fabric draft stoppers can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Use cool water and mild detergent. Air dry fully.

Spot Cleaning

For small stains or marks, spot clean gently with a damp sponge and mild soap. Don’t overwet.

Shaking Out

Over time, filler will compact so regularly shake out draft stopper to redistribute and re-fluff.

Refilling

Check fullness at least annually and refill if draft stopper is getting thin or compressed down.

Checking for Damage

Inspect fabric for tears or weak seams and refill if beads/filling are leaking. Sew repairs as needed.

Proper care extends the life of draft stoppers. Replace if washing and repairs no longer improve appearance.

Conclusion

In summary, door draft stoppers offer a handy and budget-friendly solution to a drafty home. The simple sealing effect can make a noticeable difference in comfort and efficiency. When selected and installed properly for the specific door, draft stoppers largely live up to their reputation in preventing annoying and costly air leaks. For the relatively low investment, draft stoppers provide a reliable return through smaller energy bills and warmer, quieter rooms. While not a cure-all solution for every door, they are an easy first step toward a tighter, draft-free home.