door sweeps? draft beaters?

I've an old door as my front door, with no storm door or other sealing between the door and the cold cold wind (basically, the door frame is not at all square, and I'm loathe to install a new storm door, which might seal the opening better but would look horrible on my 1860's victorian house). I did put the v-shaped brass weather seal around the sides and top of the door, but haven't found anything to seal the bottom, which gaps by 1/8” inplaces. So, I'm getting a significant draft under the door. Any suggestions for products or other ideas on how to close that gap? Ihaven't seen any door sweeps which would seem to go with the house and the door.

I should say that the door sill is about 3/4” higher than the floor, which makes it hard to put one of those cloth 'snakes' down in order to block the draft (not to mention that they aren't very attractive and have to be replacedevery time you open the durn door).

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by KenK on January 13, 2011 at 7:07am

My wife got one of these durn things! It sort of works. However, it is a hassle as it typically gets stuck while opening, smears dirt across the wood floor and occasionally gets bunched up. However, it might attenuate some of that gol durn' wind beatin' on our doors. It's certainly priced priced low enough to encourage experimentation. Best! http://www.asseenontvguys.com/twin-draft-guard.aspx

Cheers,

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Permalink Reply by Scott Alan Ekleberry on January 15, 2011 at 12:10pm

I got one similar to that at Home Depot last year to use on an interior foyer door; it worked but would hit the area rug in the dinning room if you were not careful. The one I got was nylon, so it did not get much dirt on it at all. I have not put it in this year as I have been using that door quite a bit. I would say they are best for a door that will not be opened more than once or twice a day.

Scott

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Permalink Reply by John K. on January 13, 2011 at 11:59am

I really like the V-shaped brass because it seems to be more historically accurate than foam or rubber... and I like brass.

Why not take down the door and put the V-shaped brass across the bottom of the door itself? That should seal any gap and since your threshold is so high off the floor, the brass won't get caught on anything as it sweeps. It may be a problem if your door is touching your threshold in any place but from the way you describe, you probably have a gap all the way across.

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Permalink Reply by christopher cruz on January 21, 2011 at 1:03pm

Hello

I hade the same problem with my doors. I then found metal interlocking weatherstripping that was used on old homes. I think this is the best weathet striping for a old home. They have a interlocking door sweeps and they work. This company is in Mt Vernon NY. www.accurateweatherstrip.com

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Permalink Reply by kevin on February 29, 2012 at 12:06am

Thanks for this info,my father taught me how to repair windows useing these weather strips as needed about 30 years ago , ive been looking for these for 6 mos now !!

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Permalink Reply by Richard Pryor on January 21, 2011 at 4:31pm

Thanks for the link. Which one did you use for your door? There seem to be a zillion or so of them.

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Permalink Reply by christopher cruz on January 22, 2011 at 7:31pm

Hello Richard

I used the #1 for the back of the door #7 and #8 for the top and side and #21 for my sweep. If you need to get a sweep for this system you can just give them a call and tell them what you need and they will help you get the correct one. I put this on all my doors. I will never go back to the new weather strip that is sold today.

Have any questions just send me a email

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on March 31, 2011 at 9:07am

Hi Christopher,

I ordered the same materials for my door from accurateweatherstrip.com as well. Getting prepped to install them now, but haven't found much in the way of instructions. Did you find written instructions anywhere on how to install interlocking weatherstrip?

I'll send you an email as well in case you're no longer following this thread.

Thanks,

Jeff