I tried the peel-and-stick foam strips a couple winters ago, and they just didn’t hold up—especially near the bottom of the door where moisture collects. By January, half of it was hanging loose. I switched to a V-seal type last fall, and it’s been sturdier so far, but you really have to press it in tight or it’ll gap. Haven’t tried magnetic yet—does that work well if your frames are a bit warped?
I’ve run into that peeling foam strip problem too, especially on the back door where snow piles up. It’s a pain when you think you’ve sealed things up and then it just sags or comes off after a few wet days. The V-seal worked better for me as well, but I actually had the opposite issue—mine was super stiff and I ended up cracking a little piece of trim trying to jam it in. Could just be my old house (built in the 50s, nothing is square).
About magnetic seals—I actually tried those on our mudroom door last year, since that frame is slightly warped at the bottom corner. They’re supposed to work great if your door and frame are metal, but mine’s wood with some wonky paint layers... The magnets didn’t really stick flush unless I pressed down hard every time I closed the door. Plus, if there’s any gap from warping, the magnet won’t bridge it completely—it’ll just kind of float there and let air through anyway.
What worked best for me was using a combination: a cheap silicone draft stopper along the bottom (those ones that slide under the door) plus V-seal on the sides. The silicone thing isn’t fancy, but it doesn’t care about moisture or warping since it moves with the door. Not perfect for looks, but honestly, I’d rather have warm toes than worry about style points.
If you’re still fighting drafts at the bottom, maybe try one of those weighted fabric draft snakes too—they’re ugly as heck but do block cold air in a pinch. Just gotta remember not to trip over them when you’re half-asleep grabbing coffee in the morning...
I get what you’re saying about the silicone draft stoppers—those things are dead simple and do the job, especially for old doors that just won’t ever be truly square. But honestly, I’ve found the weighted fabric snakes to be more hassle than they’re worth. They do block the cold, sure, but in my house (lots of foot traffic and a dog that thinks everything on the floor is a toy), they end up halfway down the hall by lunchtime.
“The silicone thing isn’t fancy, but it doesn’t care about moisture or warping since it moves with the door.”
That’s exactly why I stick with the slide-under kind too. I tried one of those “stick-on” foam sweeps once, but after a winter of wet boots and snow melt, it peeled right off and left a mess on the finish. If you want something more permanent, I’d say invest in a proper door sweep—the kind you screw into the bottom edge. Not as easy to install, but it’s lasted me years without budging or sagging.
Looks aren’t everything when you’re shivering, but I do wish someone would invent something that actually blends in better. Maybe someday...
If you want something more permanent, I’d say invest in a proper door sweep—the kind you screw into the bottom edge.
Couldn’t agree more about the screwed-in sweeps. I put one on my back door a couple winters ago and haven’t had to mess with it since. The stick-on ones just don’t hold up, especially when you’ve got salt and slush getting everywhere. Only downside is, I wish they came in more than just “obvious metal” or “off-white plastic.” Maybe I’ll just paint mine and call it a day...
I get the appeal of the screwed-in sweeps, but honestly, I had a stick-on one last winter and it held up way better than I expected. Maybe I just got lucky, or maybe it’s the type of door? My back door doesn’t see as much traffic, so that could be why. The only thing that bugged me was the sticky residue when I swapped it out. Haven’t tried painting one yet—wonder if that would actually stick to the metal or just chip off over time...