Having gaps under your door’s exterior will affect the door’s appeal and make it look uncared for. A gap under the exterior door will also allow sunlight to peek around, allowing heat in. It will also allow cold air, water, and dirt to get into the house, giving you additional cleaning work.
The gap can result from wear and tear, making the door fall out of alignment with the frame. It can also be a result of wrong installation or damaged weatherstripping. You can solve this by installing door sweeps, new weatherstripping, or tightening the door hinges for better alignment.
If your exterior door threshold has a gap, this article will help you understand more about how to fix it.
Options to Fill Gap Under Door
Weatherstripping
One of the reasons your exterior door can have gaps is wrong installation or damaged weatherstripping leading to leaks and drafts. You can stop this by installing newer weatherstripping. You can use several sealing materials to fill this gap, like felt rolls, sticky foam tape, or kerf weatherstripping.
If your door has old weatherstripping, it’s best to remove it and wash the door frame using rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt. Remember cleaning the frame will enable the new material you install to hold better, creating a long-lasting seal.
Solve The Alignment Problems
If your door gets jammed when you’re closing or opening it, the wrong alignment is the issue. The gap under the door’s exterior can also be uneven and allows light through. It could be that the door is worn out, making it sag and fall out of alignment. You can solve this by tightening the door hinges.
However, if, after doing that, you realize there’s no change, opt for removing the screws. Then readjust the alignment and replace the old screws with bigger ones. This will help the door hold in place and prevent it from sagging and shifting again.
Install Door Sweeps
Install door sweeps are the best way to seal the gaps under the exterior door. The door sweeps will help weatherstrip under the door keeping internal air in. you can use bristle-like sweeps, slide-on sweeps, or rubber door sweeps.
Before you install the door sweep, ensure you measure the width of the door. Then use the exact measurements on the door sweep by marking it with a marker pen. Use a hacksaw to cut out the marked areas on the door sweep to align with the under-door gap.
After that, fix the door sweep to the door using screws. Opt for the slide-on door sweep if you want an easy time. Cut the sweep to the correct size,e then open your door and slide it along the base. If the gap is bigger, go for a wrap-around door sweep that can easily curve under the door.
Fix A Door Threshold
Another way to seal the gap under the exterior door is by fixing a door threshold. You should install it directly on the floor and let it protrude upwards to fill the gaps better. However, installing a door threshold is difficult, so you should be ready for the task.
But after you fix them the right way, they will look beautiful and last longer. To fix the door threshold well, cut and put them under the door. Use mounting screws to drive them through the pre-drilled holes. After that, seal the gaps between the door and floor by fixing a gasket through the threshold channels.
Why do You need to Fill the Gap Under the Exterior Door Threshold?
Leaving the gaps on the exterior door unattended will cause you more harm than good. So, you should consider filling the gap to avoid adverse effects like;
Leaving the gaps under the exterior door unsealed will cause air leaks to enter your house. The cold air will strain your HVAC system to achieve the desired results indoors. The unit will have to use more energy to heat the incoming cold air, increasing your electricity bills and wasting energy.
During summer, hot air will leak inside the house when your exterior door has gaps. It will make the unit consume more power to cool down the indoor air making you dig deeper into your pockets, settling the bills. If you seal the gap, you’ll save your electricity expenses by a significant percentage.
You will also reduce the drafty feel whenever you get in or outside the house. The drafty feel results from cold air through the under-door gap around the entryway. You will not be comfortable entering or leaving the house because of the cold air. But if you weatherstrip the under-door gap, the feeling will vanish, allowing you to be comfortable around the doorway.
Other Importance of Having a Gap Under the Exterior Door Threshold
Sealing the gap will help reduce your workload. You will not have to clean the dust, dirt, or debris that enters through the exterior door gap. Dust will also trigger allergic reactions and make your flooring scratch forcing you to do unplanned repairs.
The gap will also make your home a breeding ground for bugs in the drafty area during the cold weather. Ants, cockroaches, and spiders will get a space to enter the house, making it unbearable to stay indoors.
Which Material Should You Use for Door Threshold?
The best material to use for your door threshold will depend on the kind of flooring in the house. If you have a concrete floor, the right door threshold to use is a rubber gasket. This is because it sticks better on a cement-based slab and is stronger.
A wood threshold best suits wooden flooring. The wooden threshold will create an aesthetic feel and match the grain on the wood flooring. You can also stain this kind of gap sealer to match your flooring.
If you have stone tile flooring, the aluminum threshold will be a great pick, as it will form an airtight seal when caulked.
Bottom Line
You can fill the gap under the exterior door threshold by weatherstripping or fixing a door sweep. Filling the gap helps prevent the house dirt, bugs, and dust. It also helps reduce your electricity bills as the air leaks make your HVAC system work more to achieve the desired temperatures.
Read More: Can You Replace A Door Without Replacing The Frame?
