Automatic door bottoms seal gaps between doors and floors, preventing damage and blocking out odors, insects, light, dust, and sound. They can also improve energy savings. They are versatile and fit various door styles and sizes, but careful consideration is needed when choosing the correct type for a project. They are available at hardware stores and can be installed with self-adhesive tape or screws. Measurements should be taken before purchase to ensure accuracy.
An automatic door bottom is a type of mechanical sealing material used to seal gaps between the bottom of a door and the floor. The mechanism usually consists of a horizontal bar fixed to the door. When the door is closed the bar is lowered; once the door is opened, the bar retracts upwards. Automatic door bottoms are similar to floor sweepers and other types of door bottoms. The main difference, however, is that the retractable design prevents the bottom of the door from dragging on the floor when opened and prevents it from damaging the floor underneath.
By sealing the small gap that exists between the door and the floor, automatic door bottom seals can block out odors, insects, light, dust and sound. Door seals are also designed to keep rain out and prevent moisture from damaging the bottom edge of the door. For homeowners looking to improve energy savings, automatic door bottoms can be used to reduce the amount of energy wasted through air infiltration. During the winter, an automatic plunger at the bottom of the door can prevent warm air from escaping. In the summer, these threshold sealers can keep outside humid air from getting under the bottom of the door.
Do-it-yourself homeowners will typically find that adding an automatic door bottom to an existing door is doable, but the process may take longer than installing other types of door sweepers. Some automatic door bottoms are sold in kits that include self-adhesive tape, screws, or other fasteners. Tape-based versions are usually easier to apply. Kits that include nails or other screws sometimes include pre-drilled holes to make it easier to assemble the mechanism.
Automatic door bottoms are meant to be versatile and can fit into a variety of door styles and sizes, including sliding or revolving doors. These waterproofing applications are ideal for exterior or interior doors and are appropriate for various types of floors, including hardwood or carpet. Mechanically operated door bottoms can be installed to the bottom edge of the door or they can be surface mounted which means the seal is screwed onto the front of the door. Surface mount door bottom types may be preferable for those who do not wish to remove the door from its hinges to install the gasket.
Choosing the correct type of automatic door underlay for a project will typically require careful consideration of the location of the door, budget constraints and the type of project being undertaken. For example, foam door sills are usually the cheapest purchase; however, they also tend to be the least efficient at preventing air infiltration. Vinyl and aluminum seals tend to be more durable and are widely available, while silicone-based mechanical door bottoms are resistant to moisture and temperature changes.
Mechanical door bottoms are typically found at hardware and home improvement stores. These bars usually work on almost any type of door, but some older doors may not have enough mounting space for a proper fit. To ensure accuracy, measurements of the door and the gap between the door and the floor may be taken before purchase. Most door seals can also be trimmed to get a more accurate fit; if the seal is cut, care must be taken to avoid cutting the internal mechanism that causes the bar to rise and fall.
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