Skip to Content

Can You Fix The Gap Between Door And Floor? (How To)

In any home, there is going to be a gap between the door and the floor. This allows the door to swing open and closed, but it also presents some problems. How can it be fixed?

The easiest way to fix a gap between the door and the floor is to install a door sweep. A door sweep is installed on the bottom of the door and used to help seal the door so outside air doesn’t exchange with inside air. It also helps to sweep bugs, dirt, and moisture from the home as you close the door.

Wooden floor and door

Although a door sweep is one of the top ways to fix this problem, it is by no means the only option you have available. Sometimes, there may be some structural issues that need to be repaired in order for this problem to be corrected.

We will also talk about some other items that can be installed at the front door for this purpose. It helps to save money on the energy bill and at the same time, keeps the critters from coming in.

Can You Fix The Gap Between Door And Floor?

It’s important to recognize that a gap between the door and the floor is not unusual. It exists in any home, but how you handle the problem is really going to make a difference and the effect it has on you and your family.

There is a balance between establishing something that fixes the gap between the door and the floor and impeding the proper movement of the door. Sometimes, there may be adjustments that are necessary but it will be worth it in the end when it is working properly.

Let’s take a look at some of the specifics of how to fix a gap between the door and the floor and why you should do so in the first place.

Why You Should Fix The Gap Between Door And Floor

Wooden floor and door

Like any type of home improvement project, there are reasons why you would want to limit the gap between the floor and the bottom of the door. These issues involve you and your family in ways that you may not realize.

Drafts – The most common reason why a gap between the door and the floor is undesirable is because of a draft. We pay money to keep the inside of the home conditioned, regardless of whether it is through heat or air conditioning.

If there is an unusual gap between the door bottom and the floor, it is going to result in an air leak from the inside to the outside. It will cost you extra money to run your heat or air conditioning and makes the home less comfortable.

Fortunately, installing some type of system that will fix the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor will save you money. In fact, it’s not out of the question to save up to 30%, depending upon the size of the gap and how much air is exchanged.

You will also find that the temperature in the home is more even. Rather than having a pocket of uncomfortable temperatures near the door, it will be inviting as soon as the doors open.

Dirt – We spend a lot of time cleaning our home and keeping dirt, bugs, and dust outside. If you have an unusually large gap between the bottom of the door and the floor, it can allow these items to enter the home unimpeded.

This is more than an issue with cosmetic appeal. When you have dust and dirt on the floor, it can scratch the floor as you walk over it. That is why installing the door sweep or other devices to block those from coming in is so important.

Bugs – Finally, we can consider the possibility that bugs will come into the home. This was mentioned previously, but it’s important enough to mention on its own.

Not only does the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor provide an opening for bugs to enter, the temperature inside of the home makes it a welcoming environment for them to live.

By sealing the gap and keeping the bugs from coming indoors, you save yourself from pest control expenses and make your home more comfortable for the entire family.

What Is Causing The Gap Between Door And Floor?

Confused man standing

There are a number of things that can lead to a gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. Here are a few to keep in mind.

Weatherstripping – When the weatherstripping wears out, gaps will eventually appear at the bottom of the door. The same thing can also happen if it is not installed correctly.

Hinges – The weight of the door can eventually pull on the hinges and cause the door to sag. That is why we recommend that the hinges be tightened as a way to keep the gap from appearing at the bottom of the door.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 19, 2022.

Weather – The exterior door is also subject to the weather, including extremes in humidity and temperature. As the door expands and contracts, it can eventually lead to a wider and wider gap between the bottom of the door and the floor.

How To Prevent Gaps From Forming Between Door And Floor

Confused man standing

They sometimes say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is your ounce of prevention to keep a gap from forming between the door and the floor.

First of all, you should replace the weatherstripping on a regular basis. Weatherstripping does not last forever and eventually, it will break down and cause a gap to appear. Make sure that you replace it on a schedule because you may not notice it happening over time.

Tightening the screws in the hinges is also something to do on occasion. We sometimes wait until this issue causes serious difficulties, such as a door dragging on the floor or an unusually large gap. If you tighten them annually, you will lessen the problem.

3 Ideas To Fix The Gap Between Door And Floor

Confused man standing

1. Install a Door Sweep

One of the most common ways to fix a gap between the door and the floor is to install a door sweep. There are actually two different types of door sweeps it can be considered, a brush or a rubber seal.

Both door sweeps are easily installed. You simply attach them to the bottom of the door so that they are brushing against the floor as you open and close the door itself. This provides a number of benefits.

First of all, when the door is closed, the door sweep will provide a seal that will keep the air exchange from occurring from inside the outside. Rubber seals tend to do a better job of this but even a bristle sweep can work well.

In addition, as we walk into the home, we often bring in dirt and dust on our shoes. Much of this ends up on the floor at the door, so having the door sweep brushes it to the outside as we close the door every time.

It may seem like a simple fix, and it is, but it is one that works very well.

2. Tighten the Door Hinges

An idea does not need to be complex in order to work. That is certainly the case with tightening the hinges if you are having a problem with the door.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 19, 2022.

When the door is closed, it doesn’t put much pressure on the hinges but when it is open, there is a lot of downward pressure that is placed on the hinges. This can eventually cause the screws to loosen and the hinges to come out.

It may not necessarily be noticeable, but especially the top hinge will see this problem over the course of time. Often, it results in the door dragging on the floor but it can also increase the gap in some cases.

When you have an unusual gap between the molding and the floor, tightening the door hinges may help. It’s something that should be done periodically and you might be surprised with what it is able to do for this issue.

3. Replace the Door Sill

We talked about the possibility of putting a door sweep in place, and this is generally recommended. There may be times, however, when you have to replace the door sill with one that fits better.

The door sill is the piece of molding of the floor that forms a lip and keeps dirt and debris from entering the home. It also helps to tighten the area so that you don’t have as big of a gap when the door is closed.

As long as you are not putting a sill in place that causes a trip hazard, it will do its job of keeping the dirt on the outside and the comfortable air on the inside of the home.

A sill can also work along with a door sweep, but the sweep is not going to have quite as much of an effect with a sill in place.

If you have a large gap between the door and the floor, you can fix it by installing a door sweep. A door sweep helps to seal the gap and brushes the floor as the door is closing to keep dirt and dust outside.

Related Articles

Can You Fix The Gap Between Molding And Floor? (How To)

Can You Fix The Gap Between Tub And Floor? (How To)

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 19, 2022.

Can You Fix The Gap Between Floor And Wall? (How To)