What is the best door seal for drafts?

Finding the best door seal for blocking drafts can make a huge difference in the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. Drafts around doors allow cold air to seep in during the winter and hot air to enter during the summer, making it harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Choosing the right type of door seal can seal these gaps and prevent drafts from causing issues.

What causes drafts around doors?

There are a few main causes of drafts around doors:

• Poor door installation – Doors that are not properly installed and have gaps around the frame will allow air to pass through.
• Warping – Over time, doors can warp slightly due to temperature changes, creating cracks and gaps.
• Wear and tear – General wear on door seals and weatherstripping creates openings for air to pass through.
• High winds – Strong winds can force air through even small cracks and openings.
• Pressure differences – When there is a difference in air pressure inside vs outside, air gets pushed through any unsealed openings.

Even small gaps that might not be noticeable can allow quite a bit of air movement. Ensuring doors have proper seals is important for minimizing drafts.

Where do drafts happen on doors?

Drafts can occur anywhere around a door where there is a gap, but there are a few common problem spots:

• Along the bottom – Gaps between the bottom of the door and threshold or floor allow air under the door.
• Around the frame – Lack of weatherstripping around the door frame and jambs leaves openings for air to pass through.
• At the meeting rail – French doors and double doors can have gaps where the two door panels meet in the middle.
• Through the mail slot – Mail slots are direct openings for air flow through the door.
• Through pet doors – Just like mail slots, pet doors have flaps that don’t always seal tightly.
• Under or around molding – Gaps between molding and walls or floors allow air movement.

Taking note of where drafts are coming from will help determine the best sealing solutions.

How to test for drafts around doors

Figuring out where drafts are occurring is an important first step. Here are a few ways to check for drafts around doors in your home:

• Hold your hand near problem areas – Move your hand slowly around the door and feel for any air movement.
• Use a lit incense stick – Pass an incense stick around the door and watch for the smoke direction to change due to air movement.
• Slide paper underneath – Slide a piece of paper or tissue under the door and see if it gets pulled towards one side.
• Infrared camera – These specialty cameras detect temperature differences that show air leaks as different colors.
• Blower door test – This involves placing a powerful fan in the door frame to depressurize the house and make leaks easier to detect.

Focus your inspection around the most common problem areas and seal up any leaks you find. For wider gaps, you can estimate the volume of air loss by feeling how much air blows through.

Types of door seals

Once you have identified where drafts are coming into your home, you can choose door seals designed to block them. Some main types of door seals include:

Door sweeps

Door sweeps attach to the bottom of the door and seal the gap between the door bottom and threshold or floor. They have a brush or vinyl seal that fills the space below the door. Key features include:

• Brush sweeps – Use a thick brush to seal wider gaps under a door. The bristles are flexible to adapt as the gap changes.
• Vinyl sweeps – Have a flexible vinyl flap or fin that seals tighter gaps under doors. Vinyl adapts well to uneven floors.
• Automatic sweeps – Retract into the door when it is opened and lower again when closed. This allows easy opening while maintaining a good seal.

Door shoes and stoppers

Door shoes (or door snakes) are thick fabric tubes placed in front of doors to block airflow. The fabric conforms to create a seal around and under the door. They are convenient since they are portable and do not require installation. Key features include:

• Filled with rice, beads, or sand – The fill material makes them heavy enough to stay in place and block drafts.
• Lengths from 24″ to 72″ – Longer ones can be bent in front of wider door gaps.
• Can be temporary or permanent – Some have built-in pockets to permanently hold the weighted fill material.

Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping installed around the door frame blocks air from flowing through the jambs and head. It compresses against the door when closed to seal gaps. Common types are:

• Foam strips – Pliable foam adapts to gaps and creates a tight seal.
• Rubber gaskets – Durable thicker rubber compresses well and rebounds over time.
• Vinyl strips – Vinyl material resists temperature changes while sealing gaps.
• Spring metal – Thin metal strips with a spring design ensure a consistent seal.

Door thresholds

Door thresholds made of wood, metal, or vinyl cover the gap at the bottom of the door. They have a shaped channel that seals against the door sweep. Benefits include:

• Prevent dirt and moisture from blowing under doors
• Have durable surfaces for foot traffic
• Some have thermal breaks that resist conduction
• ADA-compliant options don’t impede mobility

Gasket kits

Adhesive-backed foam, felt, or rubber gaskets can be applied to seal door frames. Kits come in various thicknesses to match different size gaps. They are convenient for quick DIY sealing.

Adjustable seals

Specialty seals can be adjusted to fill variable gaps:

• Inflatable tubing – Inflates with air to desired thickness for gap
• Accordion seals – Fold out or compress to match gap size
• Magnetic strips – Use magnetic attraction force to seal gaps

Mail slot seals

For mail slots, special internal flaps help block drafts while still allowing mail to pass through. Some options are:

• Spring-loaded flaps – Flaps seal slot but are pushed open when mail is inserted
• Overlapping brushes – Stiff overlapping bristles block air flow
• Magnetic closures – Magnets hold the flaps closed until mail needs to pass through
• Insulated boxes – Plastic boxes with foam insulation minimize air transmission

Automatic door bottoms

These seal the gap under the door automatically when it’s closed. Built-in springs or air pressure deploy a vinyl seal downward when the door is shut. They retract when the door opens so they don’t impede movement.

How to choose the right door seal

Choosing the most effective type of door seal depends on a few factors:

• Location of drafts – Pick a seal that targets the problem areas, like under the door or around the frame.
• Size of gaps – Measure the gaps and choose a seal wide or thick enough to fill them.
• Door type and size – Consider the swing direction, thickness, and other attributes.
• Ease of installation – Opt for easy to install products if you want quick DIY application.
• Frequency of use – High traffic doors may benefit from more durable seals.
• Source of draft – A pressure imbalance may require more extensive sealing.
• Noise reduction – Certain seals like door sweeps also help block outside noise.
• Appearance – Choose an aesthetic seal color and design appropriate for the door’s location.

Getting accurate gap measurements and diagnosing the source of drafts helps select products that will be optimally effective.

Best materials for door seals

Each material used for door seals has pros and cons to consider:

Vinyl

Pros:

• Adaptable and conforming to uneven gaps
• Durable and long lasting
• Low friction eases opening and closing
• Variety of colors and finishes available

Cons:

• Can crack over time, losing flexibility
• Not as compressible as foam
• Can potentially shrink in extreme cold

Foam

Pros:

• Very compressible and conforming
• Comes in various densities to match application
• Fairly inexpensive
• Absorbs sound well

Cons:

• Can degrade and crumble over time
• Not as durable as vinyl or rubber
• Can absorb moisture and warp

Rubber

Pros:

• Very durable and long lasting
• Excellent compression and conformity
• Withstands weather extremes well
• Higher friction improves seal on movement

Cons:

• Higher cost than vinyl or foam
• Can transmit more sound than other materials

Felt

Pros:

• Conforms well to uneven gaps and rough surfaces
• Good acoustic dampening
• Aesthetically pleasing appearance
• Low friction eases door movement

Cons:

• Less durable than other materials
• Traps dirt and requires cleaning
• Absorbs moisture easily
• Fibers can detach and spread

Metal

Pros:

• Very rigid and durable
• Springs back consistently for long lasting seal
• Withstands high traffic
• Variety of finishes match decor

Cons:

• Less conforming to uneven gaps
• Conducts heat and cold readily
• Can be noisy when door operates
• Higher cost

How to install door seals

Installing door seals helps ensure they block drafts properly and last. Follow these tips:

• Carefully measure gaps and openings to get properly sized seals.
• Thoroughly clean installation areas to remove dirt and improve adhesion.
• Apply seals evenly with consistent compression for uniform seal.
• Use proper fasteners suited for the door material so seals stay affixed.
• Check that movement isn’t restricted after installing sweeps and weatherstripping.
• Make sure automated seals can fully retract and extend as intended.
• Follow manufacturer’s specific installation instructions for specialized products.
• Check for light visible through seals and re-press any gaps.
• Operate door and inspect seals to ensure proper functioning.

Checking for drafts after installing seals verifies whether additional adjustment or sealing is needed.

Best practices for door seals

Proper use and care of door seals helps maintain their draft blocking ability. Recommended practices include:

• Keep seals clear of dirt buildup by occasional cleaning.
• Test seals seasonally and replace any that become hardened, warped, or otherwise deteriorated.
• Re-adjust seals that become loose and lose compression over time.
• Make sure sweeps extend fully to the floor and have proper overlap.
• Apply lubricants or vinyl conditioners to preserves pliability.
• Open doors slowly and carefully to avoid tearing seals.
• Consider seasonal removal of some seals to promote air flow when desired.
• Replace missing or degraded fasteners to keep seals properly affixed.
• Check proper seal retraction on automated bottoms whenever doors are serviced.
• Avoid over-compression that could buckle or distort seals.

Following manufacturer guidelines for care and maintenance will maximize the lifetime of seals.

Conclusion

Installing quality door seals designed for the specific problems in your home is a simple and inexpensive way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. Careful product selection, proper installation, and maintenance will ensure your door seals effectively block drafts and withstand regular use. Investing in the right seals results in a home that maintains desired temperatures and indoor air quality all year round.