How to Stop Drafts (Draughts) Under a Door

Quick answer: to stop a draft (or draught, in the UK) coming under a door, measure the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor, then fit a door bottom seal, sometimes called a door sweep, that covers it. Self-adhesive silicone seals stick to the bottom edge of the door with no screws or tools. Then check the sides and top of the door, and seal any gaps there with weatherstripping.

Find where the draft is coming from

Before you buy anything, find the gaps. On a windy day, close the door and hold the back of your hand near the bottom edge, then along the sides and top. You will often feel moving air. At night, with a light on outside the door, look for light showing around the edges. A gap under the door is the most common place, but worn seals around the frame can let in air too.

Measure the gap at the bottom at both ends and in the middle, as floors and doors are not always level. This tells you how deep a seal you need.

Options for sealing the gap under a door

Self-adhesive door bottom seal. A strip with a flexible fin that sticks along the bottom of the door and brushes the floor. Good for renters and for doors where you would rather not drill. TidyMend sells a self-adhesive silicone door bottom seal (2 × 39 in), a 45 mm × 5 m brown silicone strip for several doors, and a transparent 25 mm × 1 m strip that blends in.
Draught excluder or draft stopper. A fabric tube that lies on the floor against the door. It is easy to move, but it has to be put back each time the door is opened.
Screw-on door sweep or threshold strip. A brush or rubber strip fixed with screws. This is a more permanent option that needs tools.

You can see the self-adhesive options in Door Seals & Draft Stoppers.

Step-by-step: fitting a self-adhesive door bottom seal

Measure the door. Measure the width of the door along the bottom edge.
Clean the door. Wipe the bottom of the door on the side where you will fit the seal, usually the inside face, and let it dry. Adhesive strips stick best to a clean, dry and smooth surface.
Cut to length. Cut the strip to the width of the door with sharp scissors. Cut a little long at first; you can always trim more.
Position the strip. Hold it against the door so the fin just touches the floor when the door is closed. Too low and the door may drag; too high and the gap stays open.
Stick it on. Peel back a short length of the backing, line up one end, and press it on. Keep peeling and pressing along the length of the door so the strip stays straight.
Press firmly. Run your hand along the whole strip a few times.
Test the door. Open and close the door several times. It should move freely over the floor, rugs and any threshold, and the fin should touch the floor along the full width.

Don’t forget the rest of the door frame

If you can still feel air at the sides or top, fit weatherstripping to the frame. Foam strips such as wedge-profile foam seal strip or EVA foam weatherstripping tape stick to the frame where the door closes against it. For sliding doors, a pile brush seal such as the wool pile weatherstrip or a brush weatherstrip for aluminium sliding doors is the usual choice. Clean the frame first, apply the strip where the door meets the frame, and check the door still closes and latches easily. Browse all window and door weatherstripping.

For step-by-step help fitting strips around the frame of a door or window, see how to install weather stripping on a door (and windows).

Tips

Fit seals in dry weather and at room temperature where possible, as adhesive sticks better to a dry surface.
If the floor is uneven, choose a seal with a softer, deeper fin so it can follow the floor.
For internal doors between rooms, a seal can also cut down light and dust coming under the door.
For windows in cold weather, clear window insulation film adds an extra layer over a window in cold weather; see how to install window insulation film.

More options in the shop: the Vellure silicone door draft stopper, 39 in, the Holikme 36 in under-door draft blocker (ships to the United States only) and the EXTSUD silicone door draught excluder, 100 cm (ships to the United Kingdom only).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a draft and a draught?

Nothing except spelling. “Draft” is the US spelling and “draught” is the UK spelling. Draught-proofing and weatherproofing a door mean the same job.

Will a door bottom seal stop the door from closing?

It should not if it is fitted at the right height. Position the strip so the fin just touches the floor, then test the door before you press the whole strip on firmly.

Can I fit a draft stopper to a rented home?

Self-adhesive seals need no screws or drilling, which makes them a popular choice for renters. Check your tenancy agreement, and note that some adhesives may mark painted doors when removed.

Which side of the door should the seal go on?

Usually on the inside face of the door, so the seal is protected from the weather. Make sure it does not catch on a threshold or doormat when the door swings.

How do I seal a gap at the top or sides of a door?

Use self-adhesive weatherstripping on the door frame where the door closes against it. Foam strips suit hinged doors; pile brush seals suit sliding doors.

How to Stop Drafts Under a Door (Draught-Proofing Guide)