Use Draft Stoppers

Draft stoppers (also called draft snakes or door sweeps) block the gap between the bottom of a door and the threshold or floor, which is often the largest single air leak around an exterior door. Ready-made stoppers cost $5-15, or you can make one from a rolled towel, a fabric tube filled with rice or dried beans, or a pool noodle wrapped in fabric. Permanent door sweeps that screw into the bottom of the door provide a more reliable seal than removable stoppers.

Types of Draft Stoppers

• Removable fabric stoppers: Sit against the base of the door on the inside. Easy to use but shift when the door opens and must be repositioned each time.
• Under-door double-sided stoppers: Slide under the door and seal both sides simultaneously. Stay in place when the door moves.
• Permanent door sweeps: Screw or adhesive-mount to the bottom edge of the door. Brush-style sweeps work best on uneven thresholds; rubber flap sweeps seal tightly on flat thresholds.

Installation

1. Measure the width of the door to determine the correct stopper length.
2. For screw-in sweeps, close the door and mark the position where the sweep contacts the threshold without dragging. Drill pilot holes and attach with screws.
3. For removable stoppers, simply place them flush against the bottom of the closed door.

Tips

• A permanent door sweep combined with an adjustable threshold is the most effective solution for under-door drafts
• For sliding glass doors, use a foam or rubber channel strip along the bottom track
• DIY fabric stoppers filled with dry rice are surprisingly effective and cost almost nothing to make