A gap between your door and the floor could be annoying, especially for an exterior door. You have to constantly deal with the air, moisture, and dirt that may come in through the gap as well as the heat that let out through the gap.
The good news is that there are numerous simple and inexpensive ways you can fix the gap between your door and floor.
7 Best Methods To Fix Gap Between Door And Floor
1. Installing A Door Sweep
Fixing the gap between your door and the floor may be as simple as installing a door sweep. A door sweep is a plastic, rubber, or bristle barrier specifically designed to close up the gap between the door and the floor.
When installed on the inside surface of a door, it keeps the room airtight and prevents the entry of dirt and crawling insects.
Door sweeps are of different types, and the most common ones are the screw-in aluminum door sweep and the adhesive or stick-on door sweep.
To install a screw-in door sweep:
Step 1: Measure the width of the door with a tape measure.
Step 2: Compare the width of the door and that of the door sweep and make sure they are the same. Door sweeps are usually either 36 inches or 42inches in size. If your door’s width is less than that of the door sweep, cut the door sweep to the perfect size using a hack saw.
Step 3: Place the door sweep against the bottom end of your door in a way that the gap between your door and the floor is closed.
Step 4: Screw the door sweep in place with the screws provided.
Step 5: Check that there are no gaps between the door and the door sweep. Unscrew the door sweep and fix it on properly if you find any gaps.
To install a stick-on door sweep:
Step 1: Measure the width of the door.
Step 2: Compare the width of the door and that of the door sweep and make sure they are the same. If your door width is less than that of the door sweep, cut the door sweep to the perfect size using scissors.
Step 3: Place the door sweep on the door to determine the perfect placement. The ideal placement will be so that the gap between the door and floor is perfectly closed.
Step 4: Remove the adhesive strip and attach the door sweep accordingly.
2. Caulking
Caulking is a practical, inexpensive, and simple way to fix the gap between your door and the floor. Caulk is a putty-like substance and can be molded into any shape.
It is durable, weather-resistant, and available in different colors. Caulk usually comes in tubes, and to achieve a natural look, get caulk in a color that matches that of your door. The process of caulking is pretty simple and requires no special skills.
Step 1: Cut the tip of the caulk tube at a 45° angle.
Step 2: Squeeze out caulk from the tube to fill the gap.
Step 3: Wet your hands and gently smooth the surface of the caulk.
3. Installing A Flexible Door Bottom Seal
Another method of fixing the gap between your door and floor is by installing a flexible door bottom seal. An adaptable door bottom seal is a long strip of a compressible material such as rubber or vinyl.
It is installed on doors, and its compressible nature allows it to fit right into any gap size. The best part of a flexible bottom seal is that it is easy to install. Gently open the door and slip the flexible door seal onto the bottom end. Cut the extra seal off using scissors.
It is also easy to change a door bottom seal when it is worn out. Simply slide off the old seal and slip on a new one.
4. Installing A Threshold Seal
A threshold seal is similar to the flexible door bottom seal. Like the bottom door seal, it is made from a compressible material which could be rubber or vinyl.
The difference between a bottom door seal and a threshold seal is that a threshold seal is attached to the floor and not the door. A threshold seal comes with an adhesive strip by which it is attached to the threshold.
Due to the material they are made from, threshold seals are durable and resistant to wear and tear. They come in different sizes and can be used to fill large gaps between the door and the floor.
A threshold seal can be used together with a bottom door seal to adequately close up all gaps and keep unwanted air and debris out.
5. Using Corner Seals/Pads
A corner seal or corner pad is a little foam or rubber wedge used to seal off gaps at the bottom corner of your door. It comes in different sizes and has an adhesive peel-off sticker on the back.
The size of the gap you want to seal off would determine the size of the corner seal you get. Corner seals are weather resistant and can last for years without wearing off.
To install a corner seal, take off the adhesive sticker and place the pad at the bottom corner of the door and on the threshold.
It is difficult to remove a corner pad once it sticks, so ensure to place it so that there are no gaps between the pad and the threshold. The thinner parts of the pad should point outwards.
6. Installing Vinyl Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping may be the key to fixing the gap between your door and the floor. Install the weatherstripping on the top surface of the door threshold.
Generally, all kinds of weatherstrippings can be used on any part of the door, but for a gap beneath the door, vinyl weatherstripping works best. This is because vinyl weatherstripping is compressible and will stay in place despite repeated door movements over it.
7. Replacing The Door Threshold
If you have a wood threshold, the gap could be because your threshold is shabby and worn out due to years of use. Replacing your worn-out threshold with a new and better one would close up the gap between the door and the floor.
To replace your threshold:
Step 1: Remove the worn-out threshold.
Step 2: Measure the distance between the door frame or measure the old threshold.
Step 3: Transfer the measurement taken to the new threshold and cut it to size using a hacksaw.
Step 4: Place the new threshold between the door frame with the blunt end facing inwards and drill holes for the screws.
Step 5: Tightly screw on the new threshold to the floor.
How To Fix Gap Between Door And Floor? – Conclusion
Any of the above methods work to fix the gaps between your door and the floor. You can combine two or more of the methods for a more effective result.
If none of the methods successfully fix the gap between your door and the floor, your door itself might be the problem.
A sign that you should replace your door is when it is so weathered or worn out that the gap between your door and the floor remains large despite efforts to fix it.
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