door bottom rubber strip

mickthetree · 18 Aug 2014

hey all

I installed a new front door and frame a month or so ago. Very pleased with it except that with a very heavy rain + lots of wind, water gets under the door. There is a 5mm gap bottom and I have a weather strip that hangs right over the sill, but water is still getting underneath.

I dont like those metal door sill strips, plus I'd have to rebate the bottom of the door.

I'm thinking a rubber strip in a groove routed on the bottom of the door. Are these available and does anyone know what they are called?

There are all sorts of fancy metal and rubber things to put on the bottom of the door, but IMO it would spoil the look of the door.

RobinBHM · 18 Aug 2014

There are rubber seals that will do that, but as it is an open in front door, the seal will be scraping the flat cill constantly and is likely to wear quickly.

One option is a a seal that drops down as the door closes. Raven seals do one RP8Si it needs a groove in the bottom of the door. It isnt visible apart from the edges of the door.

These are draught/acoustic seals not really designed for rain, but work quite well. Only a water bar or a modern aluminium threshold will be a total solution.

Cheers Robin

carlb40 · 18 Aug 2014

Personally i would suggest using an accessable threshold strip. You need something on the floor to stop water getting under.
You could make something from a durable hardwood. Say 12mm thick with a slight taper/ bullnose to it. Screw to floor and bedded on silicone. Trim bottom of the door to suit and with a leading edge. Refit external weather bar flush with bottom of the door. Sorted

mickthetree · 18 Aug 2014

thanks chaps. Both worthy considerations.

The sill has a slope then a step. I thought this, in conjunction with the weather bar would be enough, but clearly not.

So currently it looks like this

Carl, are you suggesting it should look more like this?

There will still be a gap, but it would be reduced and the door would close up against it (or almost).

There was a galvanised steel bar in this position on the old door sill. Is this similar to what you are suggesting, but in wod?

Many thanks

Normancb · 18 Aug 2014

The lower arrangement is the conventional way of doing it with a wooden door, but if you make the bar from wood it won't last very long - it will be too weak to resist the impact of people's feet. Better to use the proper galvanised steel, which is designed for the job. Also don't make things so close fitting that capillarity pulls water past the door.

mickthetree · 18 Aug 2014

Thanks Norman.

So I now need to route a groove in the cill for the bar after its been fitted. Sounds like there might be a bit of hand chopping required!

Phil Pascoe · 18 Aug 2014

Assuming that the threshold doesn't run inwards (it would hold water), you could try a piece 10mm 12mm square alloy strip, screwed down. As long as it was bedded in epoxy or similar and screwed down tight it could well work. It could be an easier option?

Bradshaw Joinery · 18 Aug 2014

Id just use the mwk kit, ditch the cill piece and cut the weather bar section off the door part and just use the piece underneath the door, so it wipes against the cill.