Weatherstripping and door sweeps

Signs your seals are done

• Daylight shows around the door when it is closed.
• A sheet of paper slides out easily when shut in the door at several points.
• Dust or leaves build up inside the threshold.
• Ants and spiders walk in under the door.
• A whistle on windy nights, especially during Santa Ana winds.
• Foam or rubber that is flat, cracked or missing in sections.

Types of door weatherstripping

Most modern exterior doors use a kerf-in seal: a foam or rubber strip with a barb that presses into a slot in the jamb. Replacing it is clean work with no nails.

Older doors may have nailed-on stop molding with a vinyl bulb, or spring metal bent along the jamb. We match the profile and color to the old seal where we can, and we cut corners neatly so the strip meets at the head without a gap.

Sweeps and thresholds

The bottom of the door is where most drafts get in. A door sweep mounts on the inside face and brushes the floor or threshold. A door bottom wraps under the door and seals against the threshold.

Many thresholds have height screws so the cap can be raised to meet the sweep. We set it so the door closes snug without dragging on rugs. Where the threshold itself is cracked or rotted, we replace it with the same width so the door still clears.

Windows

Sliding windows use pile strips, the fuzzy brush seals on the sash edges. Those wear down and let wind and dust through. Casement windows use compression seals.

We replace pile and seals with the matching size where parts are available, and clean the tracks so the window seals as it closes. Single-pane windows will still lose heat through the glass, so new seals help with drafts and dust but do not turn an old window into a new one.

Why it is worth doing here

The San Gabriel Valley sees long hot stretches and dusty wind events. Sealing gaps keeps cooled air inside longer and keeps fine dust off the floors.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver guide puts it this way: “By sealing uncontrolled air leaks, you can save 10%–20% on your heating and cooling bills.” It is cheap material; how long a whole house takes depends on the job, and we’ll tell you after seeing photos.

Garage doors and side doors

Side doors from the garage into the house deserve good seals because they also keep out fumes and dust. We weatherstrip them like an entry door. The big garage door uses a bottom rubber that slides into a track along the door.

We can replace that rubber and the side stop seals on many doors. Spring, cable and opener work is outside what we do.

Pairs well with

Weatherstripping goes fast when we are already at the house for lock replacement or door adjustments. A door that is out of square will not seal no matter what strip goes on it, so we fix the hang first.

Test it yourself

On a breezy evening, hold a lit incense stick near the door edges and the window corners. Where the smoke wavers, air is getting through. Take a photo of the spot and send it with your request, so we know what to bring.

Caulk versus weatherstripping

Weatherstripping seals parts that move, like doors and sashes. Caulk seals joints that do not move, such as where trim meets stucco or a window frame meets the wall. Many drafts come through the second kind of gap, so we look at both and fix both on the same visit.

Back units and ADUs

Rear units and converted garages often have lighter doors and simpler frames, and they lose cool air quickly. Fresh seals and a good sweep make them more comfortable and keep dust off the floor. Owners renting them out often ask for this between tenants.

Sliding patio doors

Patio sliders seal with pile along the edges and a seal where the panels meet. Worn pile is the usual cause of drafts on a slider, and new pile is a quick fix once the panel is out.

Dust and allergies

For people with allergies, a tight house matters. Dust from yards, streets and nearby construction comes in through the same gaps as drafts. Sealing doors and windows cuts the dust you sweep up each week and keeps the air inside a little cleaner during windy spells.

Older wood doors

Older wood doors may have warped slightly, so a single seal does not touch along the whole edge. We adjust hinges and the strike first, then pick a softer, thicker seal that fills the uneven gap without making the door hard to close.

Color

Seals come in white, brown and black to suit the frame.

Bring the whole list

Note every door that rattles, whistles or shows light, plus any window that lets dust in. Doing them together costs less per opening than separate visits.

Photo checklist