How to Install an Exterior Door Sweep

Door sweeps are the unsung heroes of home energy efficiency. A gap at the bottom of an exterior door acts like a chimney, pulling expensive conditioned air out of your home while letting in unconditioned outside air, dust, and spiders. Properly sealing this perimeter is a high-impact, low-effort task that pays for itself in a single season. Done well, a door sweep sits firmly against the threshold without causing excessive friction, allowing the door to swing freely while maintaining a tight seal. When you finish this project, you should feel consistent resistance when opening the door, indicating that the rubber or vinyl fin is doing its job by blocking the airflow entirely.

Measure Twice, Cut Once. Measure the bottom edge of your door from one side to the other. Do not include the door casing or frame in your measurement; just the door slab itself.
Unhinge With Care. Carefully remove the door from its hinges using a hammer and a nail punch to tap the hinge pins upward. Lean the door against a stable surface, such as a workbench or two sawhorses.
Cut to Exact Width. Lay the new sweep against the bottom of the door and mark it to match the width exactly. Use a hacksaw to cut the metal track to size and heavy-duty scissors to trim the rubber seal.
Align Flush Perfectly. Hold the sweep against the door so that the rubber fin rests gently against the threshold. Ensure the sweep is perfectly flush with the bottom edge of the door.
Drill and Drive Secure. Mark the screw hole locations with a pencil through the pre-drilled holes in the metal strip. Drill small pilot holes into the door, then drive the provided screws to lock the sweep in place.
Test and Fine-Tune. Rehang the door on the hinges and check for a smooth, consistent swing. If the sweep drags too heavily, adjust the vertical position of the sweep slightly higher via the slotted screw holes.