Door sweeps are an important part of your home. Without them, doors wouldn’t close as smoothly, and you might struggle to close them in the first place.
The importance of a Door Sweep cannot be over-emphasized. However, many people do not understand why it is important for them to have a regular door sweep. The truth is that having too many unnecessary bugs and insects can cause serious health problems such as asthma and allergies.
However, if door sweeps get worn out, you’ll need to replace them with a new one. But which type should you buy? And how do you know if yours needs replacing?
In this article, I am going to explain exactly how to replace a door sweep and what your options are for that.
8 Steps You Need To Follow To Replace Your Door Sweep
| Steps | Estimated Required Time |
| Measure The Door | 5 minutes |
| Cut The Door Sweep Frame | 5-10 minutes |
| Cut The Door Sweep Insert | 5-10 minutes |
| Mark The Drill Hole Positions | 5 minutes |
| Drill Pilot Holes | 5-10 minutes |
| Install The New Door Sweep | 5-10 minutes |
| Test The Door Sweep | 5 minutes |
| Adjust The Door Sweep | 5-10 minutes |
See how quickly you can replace your door sweep all by yourself? Now let’s get into the detailed steps, so you don’t have any more doubts regarding the installation process.
Step 1: Measure The Door
Required Tools
- Measuring tape.
Steps
- Determine the width of the door at the bottom using a measuring tape.
- Don’t just think about the door size; consider the door stops.
Step 2: Cut The Door Sweep Frame
Required Tools
- Pencil.
- Hacksaw.
Steps
- Mark the measurement with a pencil on the aluminum portion to transfer it to the door sweep.
- Cut the door sweep’s aluminum frame with a hacksaw.
- When you get to the sweep insert, stop your cutting.
Step 3: Cut The Door Sweep Insert
Required Tools
Steps
- Cut the remaining vinyl portion of the insert using scissors now.
Step 4: Mark The Drill Hole Positions
Required Tools
- Pencil.
Steps
- Shut the door.
- Put the door sweep and the bottom edge of the door so that the bottom of the sweep is in touch with the threshold.
- Mark the centers of each door sweep’s oval holes, and have someone hold the sweep in place.
Step 5: Drill Pilot Holes
Required Tools
- Hand drill.
- Safety goggles.
Steps
- Use a thinner drill bit than the screws included in the door sweep kit.
- Drill test holes following the marks.
Step 6: Install The New Door Sweep
Required Tools
- Hand drill.
- Safety goggles.
- Screwdriver.
Steps
- Maintain the door sweep’s position.
- Change the drill’s bit to the driver’s one.
- Attach the door sweep using screws.
- To prevent stripping out the screw heads or distorting the aluminum frame, use caution when tightening the screws.
Step 7: Test The Door Sweep
Required Tools
- Safety gloves.
Steps
- Keep closing and opening your doors to test the door sweep.
- When the door is opened or closed, the door sweep should be in close contact with the threshold but should not catch or stick.
Step 8: Adjust The Door Sweep
Required Tools
- Screwdriver.
Steps
- If necessary, adjust the door sweep by slightly losing the screws and repositioning the sweep.
- You can modify just a portion of the sweep to fit the threshold profile for uneven thresholds.
Why Should You Install A Bottom Door Sweep?
Bottom door sweeps not only protect your house from the outside residue, but they also come with several benefits that you may not even know.
Let’s see why you should install a bottom door sweep in every door in your house.
- A door sweep’s primary purpose is to reduce the amount of heat transfer between the inside and exterior of the house. The most effective exterior door sweeps increase draft prevention and energy efficiency and immediately seal the door from the bottom.
- Door sweeps help keep out debris and other elements and block drafts. There is less risk of water, filth, and dust getting inside the house if the doorway is swept occasionally.
- Another method to stop unwanted noise from entering the house is to seal the bottom of a door with a door sweep. The more effective the seal, the better the soundproofing.
- Door sweeps can aid in preventing the entry of insects, spiders, and other small pests into the house. Vinyl alternatives are typically superior to bristle alternatives for this.
3 Door Sweep Replacement Ideas That Will Amaze You
The most typical door sweep consists of a thin vinyl strip insert that acts as the sweep and an aluminum strip attached to the door’s face.
However, you can replace them with some recently invented different door sweeps.
Brush-Style Door Sweep
Rather than having flexible vinyl sweep inserts, brush- or bristle-style door sweeps include plastic bristles that are about 3/4-inch long. Brush-style door sweeps can adapt to uneven floors better than vinyl sweeps can, although being less efficient against mice and insects.
| 3 Pcs Retsun 2.5” Width PP Hair Aluminum Durable Door Brush Sweep Seal Sliding | Price |
 | Check Price on Amazon |
Rodent-Proof Door Sweep
Even if you currently have a door sweep, you may wish to install a specific rodent-proof door sweep if mice manage to get into your home. This door sweep is four to five times more expensive, but it’s occasionally the only method to keep rodents out.
| USUKUE Metal Door Draft Stopper 36 Inch Mice Guard Bottom Seal Strip | Price |
 | Check Price on Amazon |
Self-Stick Vinyl Door Sweep
Instead of using screws, some door sweeps have a pre-attached adhesive for mounting to the door. Self-stick sweeps don’t offer the ideal long-term solution, but they swiftly close gaps in the meantime, holding them closed until you can install a door sweep that uses screws.
| Huge Gap Door Draft Stopper,3-2/5″ W Widened Door Sweep | Price |
 | Check Price on Amazon |
Final Verdict
Door sweep is a large and essential part of your door. It helps with opening, closing, and operating. Door sweeps are available in various shapes, sizes, and designs. They also can be customized according to the need of the user.
I hope this article has helped you with your door sweep replacement issue. Stay tuned for more DIY guides like this one.
Cheer!
FAQ
Does a door sweep go on the inside or outside?
As most entry doors are “in-swinging” doors, most Door Sweeps should be put on the inside of the door. Only “out-swinging” doors would require a door sweep that mounts to the outside of the door.
What is the difference between a door bottom and a door sweep?
The automatic door bottom can be adjusted and frequently offers a superior seal. An automatic door bottom is bigger than a door sweep because of what is located inside. The “automatic” part consists of a rod with a little protrusion on one end that functions nearly like a button.
