The products used to seal between a door and its jambs and top are the same as those used for sealing windows (see Options for Weatherstripping Windows).

The most effective and least visible types for these areas are spring-metal and cushion-vinyl strips and adhesive-backed foam. Foam is not as durable as strips, but it is a breeze to install and the least visible when the door is open.

Sealing the bottom of a door is another story. Sealing that gap requires a special type of weatherstripping or a combination of materials. The most common materials are a threshold, a door shoe, and a door sweep.

A threshold is a wood or metal strip that is fastened to the floor beneath the door. It typically finishes off the flooring material at the door and provides a slightly raised, flat surface directly under the door. One type, a metal threshold that has a raised rubber gasket, is designed to seal against the bottom edge of the door. Another type mates with a door shoe, which is a flexible gasket that is fastened to the door's bottom edge to create the seal.

A door sweep is like a gasket that is fastened along the door's bottom face. It is made of a soft material such as felt or rubber and presses tightly against the threshold or floor when the door is closed.

Door weatherstripping works best when the door is mounted uniformly in its jambs. If your door is out of alignment, consider adjusting it before installing weatherstripping. For more about adjusting a misaligned door, see Hinged Door Repairs.