There are eight common types of door weather stripping: self-adhesive foam tape, profiled foam strips (D, P, E, I), V-strip, kerf-in seals, door sweeps, door bottom strips, pile / brush seals and thresholds. Choose by position and gap: foam and D/P/E/I profiles for 1–12 mm gaps on the frame stop, kerf-in strips for timber frames with a routed groove, sweeps and bottom seals for the gap under the door, pile for sliding doors. Most buyers end up with two types per door – one for the frame, one for the bottom.
What is weatherstripping?
Weatherstripping (weather strip, weatherstrip) is the flexible seal fitted around a door or window so that the moving leaf closes against it and the gap is sealed against draughts, dust, rain and noise. It is made of foam, rubber, pile or silicone and is sold by the metre or in cut lengths; the type you need depends on where the gap is and how big it is.
Which type goes where?
| Type | Where it goes | Best for | Fixing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foam tape (EPDM / PU) | Frame stop | Small even gaps | Self-adhesive |
| D / P / E / I profiles | Frame stop | 1–12 mm, uneven gaps (D) | Self-adhesive |
| V-strip | Door jamb, sash sides | Sliding contact, low force | Self-adhesive |
| Kerf-in seal | Timber frame groove | Neat finish, no glue | Pushed into kerf |
| Door sweep | Face of the door, bottom | Gap to floor | Screw-on or adhesive |
| Door bottom strip | Bottom edge of the door | Gap to floor | Slot-in or adhesive |
| Pile / brush seal | Sliding door tracks | Dust, draught, sliding | Slide-in or adhesive |
| Threshold | Floor | Water, uneven floors | Glued or screwed |
Popular stock sizes for foam profiles are in the profile library: D 9 × 6, 12 × 10, 14 × 12 and 21 × 15 mm; P 9 × 5.5; E 9 × 4; I 9 × 2.
Which gap does each foam profile seal?
| Profile | Size (mm) | Gap it suits |
|---|---|---|
| I | 9 × 2 | 1–2 mm |
| E | 9 × 4 | 2–3.5 mm |
| P | 9 × 5.5 | 3–5 mm |
| D | 9 × 6 to 21 × 15 | 3–12 mm |
Practical starting ranges, not test results. More detail in the D, P, E and I guide.
Which material should I choose?
EPDM foam for exterior doors and anything in the sun – it stays elastic from about –40 °C to +120 °C. PU foam for interior and timber doors where a very soft, low-cost seal matters more. Silicone for clear door bottom sweeps. Compare them on the materials page.
How do I order door weather stripping in bulk?
Send the type, section (or a photo of the old strip next to a ruler), colour, roll length and quantity. We supply from 10 m with no minimum; indicative FOB prices start from US$0.05/m for EPDM foam strips. See door & window weather stripping and door sweeps.
Quick questions
What is the best weather stripping for an exterior door?
EPDM foam or solid EPDM on the frame stop plus a door sweep or bottom seal underneath; EPDM handles sun, rain and cold better than PU or PVC foam.
Need a seal for this?
Send your section, gap size or a photo of the old seal – Dora replies usually within 2 hours. Door & window seals are available from 10 m.