7 EASY FIXES For Gaps Under Doors! (Ultimate Repair Guide...Keep Out Bugs/Light/Air!)

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FIX DOOR GAPS! Ultimate Repair Guide...7 Easiest Fixes! (Light / Air Gap Under Doors)
Light gaps and air gaps beneath doors are a common problem in most houses. This short video from The Honest Carpenter will show you the 7 easiest fixes for door gap problems at the bottom of the door!
Remember that sometimes you can simply adjust the cap height on your threshold. All it takes is a screwdriver.
And in many instances, you can change out the sweep on the bottom of your door with various models. A variety of them could work for your door.
You can even make a custom threshold cap if necessary. Watch the video to see how it's done!
The Honest Carpenter

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Check Out the ULTIMATE CARPENTRY CHECKLIST!! *Get your free interactive ebook here* : www.thehonestcarpenter.com/the-ultimate-carpentry-checklist This *150-item Visual Glossary* covers every important topic in carpentry. Check off the tools you have, the concepts you understand. And if you don't know a topic, just click on it for an explanation. Every carpenter and DIYer needs this free guide!

[@TheKnightOperator]

@@TheHonestCarpenter do door draft seals next, windows, exterior, commercial + universal gaskets. 🤌

[@miriam4213]

Oh my gosh!! I have the adjustable caps!! Did front and back door. No more drafts. Quick and easy and even taught my husband something he didn’t know existed!

[@LumberjackPa]

I went immediately to my exterior doors to see if they had the adjustable cap, and they don't. I have used door sweeps for our eighty year old house, but I would have been floored if all that I had to do is adjust it. The painters tape trick itself would have made so many jobs easier. If I'm the only one who didn't know this stuff, then I must be living under a rock😂! Thanks for always having very helpful content for losers like me!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Don't worry, Lumberjack, I've figured all this out the hard way myself! And it was often on job sites with the client watching. 😅 There's always more to learn!

[@alee9961]

Thank you! Great video and great instructions. 😊

[@believer2734]

Nope we’re in the same boat!

[@kauaitulum28]

Sir, don't put yourself down like that, you're not a loser. We're all just learning as we go along the path of our lives. And all of us who came here to watch this video are here for that reason, to learn. Peace.

[@fredkeogh9035]

🎉 Yes I have to agree with this chap it’s said ( If you don’t ask you don’t get “ whether it’s DIY/ Directions / Or understanding the fundamentals keeping your car running “ )

[@WisdomOver50]

This is probably one of the best building technologies/techniques channels on the interwebs!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks so much! 😄

[@weldo1948]

Excellent video! Very thorough with good craftsmanship. I was taught about doors from an expert in the 1960s. Working in a manufacturing building where many fire rated doors were improperly installed on concrete block walls. The door rep spent several days working on the doors while training me how to adjust doors. I would suggest that a proper alignment of the door should be done prior to reworking the threshold area. Poor alignment is a major cause of gasket deterioration. During my years as a contractor, I supervised or even installed hundreds of doors and even adjusted an 8’x3’6” door this week. The dragging door damaged the weather strip and made it difficult to open, close and lock. I am disappointed that nearly ever door in my new house had to be adjusted! I would recommend that every installer study this video.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

That’s a very good point, Weldon! I’m definitely going to cover the badly hung door topic. So many things can be fixed at the hinge or hinge-side jamb!

[@JessR-wy1tv]

I came upon your KZbin video accidentally, boy it came in good i had a similar situation. I immediately joined your channel. Looking forward to seeing what other videos you will do. It's good to know for a single woman. BLESSINGS 🙌

[@SarahBearah2023]

Lone mother of a disabled adult child in an old house. I feel grateful for the info. Hopefully now we can have a more decent home.

[@rainacherienne1010]

I have adjustable caps, not in a million years I’d know. I’m going to impress so many people with this.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

😆😁

[@Divaelite1]

Just bought my first home and this video is perfect. As my door leading to garage has a big gap!!! Thank you. ❤

[@cltinturkey]

This is such a useful video. My 75-year old home has highly irregular sweeps, so I appreciate the variety of options. Thank you!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

I’m glad it helps! 😄

[@billm.8220]

Love the fact that you ALWAYS pay attention to detail & your instructions are straight & to the point . A TRUE craftsman !! Keep up the good work Ethan !!

[@zionosphere]

I'm really liking these videos. I don't have a background in the trades and these are quite informative.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you! I’ll keep them coming. And check out the mailing list for more behind-the-scenes stuff! 🙂

[@WilliamSlayer]

Same!

[@SarahBearah2023]

Same here. Grateful.

[@selasmama4499]

Thank you! All the doors in my house were installed way too close to the floor to clear my rugs and with non-adjustable thresholds. Cutting down the doors and making my own taller caps is a great idea. No one does videos about what to do if doors are too low for rugs, don’t people need rugs inside their doors?? Perhaps you can make a video about this next?

[@SarahBearah2023]

I have the same issue 1950's ranch house

[@gdomingo42]

Same

[@smoofollowingqalroundthewo206]

Same problem in my 1940s foyer!

[@newluhu]

Omg, this video came in just in time because i got a gap under my door, thank you so much. 👍🏻👏🏻

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

👍😁

[@shelbycooper7504]

I have a door that the weather strip is no good but can’t pull it out,I’m in my seventy’s and was told need to replace the door it’s metal

[@Joojoo1349]

Wow! Thank you for this great video! I've been trying to fix my front door gap for years and ha e considered all kinds of options, not knowing the fix was already there!

[@denisemastrostefano277]

Thank You for sharing your knowledge on door threshold,cap and sweeps. I'll be looking foward to your next video.

[@FunwithBooboo]

This video was just what we needed to see and even a link to the replacement door sweeps (ours got damaged when we built our house and contractors put their electrical cords through closed doors). Thank you 👍

[@skygh]

I do this all the time on doors. Point of order, different millworks can use bottoms with different groove spacing. I keep several varieties in my van and if all else fails I have flat ones. A very helpful and accurate video. I am a specialty door carpenter and I approve this message 100%

[@canebro1]

These are great tips, and your custom one look both easy and good. My door has the bubble gasket that you talked about at 1:14 despite being residential. In my case, the "normal" size one was too small and the "large" one was too big. So I got the large one and then used about a dozen screws to squish it down to the correct height.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Anything that works! 😆

[@pontiac411]

One thing i would recommend on installing door sweeps is sealing the bottom of the door, if its a snap in sweep at least use sealant on the ends to prevent water intrusion around the tabs.

[@yuliyabryant4052]

This is very useful information. I like how easy for me to follow the instructions and fix my own door gap even though I never held a drill in my hands my entire life.

[@joesphmarzella1936]

Awesome video! Very informative . I need to replace my front door sweep and now I know what I need to look for . Thank you for making the video and for all the great information!

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

My house is old so the door threshold is literally stretched and moving away from door. So I've replaced the sweep mutiple times, so I appreciate a longer lasting solution. 👷🏿‍♂️

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks, W! I’ve lived in multiple houses with wooden thresholds. I’ve had to use all combinations of solutions. 😅 I’ll post a vid on full threshold replacement someday as well! It can vary so much by the different scenarios.

[@justinsayre4856]

Great video. I shared with someone I know that has gap issues with their front door. My hope is that this will give them the confidence to do the repair on their own. Thanks!

[@timothycreasy2161]

I didn't know that some thresh holds had adjustments you could raise or lower the height. But I did use an piece of wood to raise up a gap on a door. That made a world of difference and solved my problem. Thanks for sharing the other options to fix the problem. 👍

[@GibsonCRG]

More terrific content passing on experience, products, techniques and video demos for a super-common problem. I can't wait for your next course to drop!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Chris! 😄

[@vninjadfw]

This has to be one of the most detailed & excellent videos\tutorials. I'll be subscribing and watching many more of yours. Great job....Honestly!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you! 🙏

[@benharrison1069]

Good informative video, Ethan. It addresses gaps at the bottom of the exterior door. Maybe you will make another video addressing other gaps around the exterior door and doors that are cockeyed in the door frame. Keep 'em coming, Ethan. 👍

[@BCBRENDA]

I have been looking for someone who knows n will tell what is needed in working around the home. First time watching, you have a new prescriber.

[@ricsteash]

Dang it. The one thing I wanted to know is discussed at the end and in a different video. 😂. I do also plan on replacing my sweeps. Thanks for the vid.

[@mgillard96]

Outstanding video. Wish I would have seen it 2 weeks ago. I did manage to get the correct sweep on my exterior door since I had a worn out one as well. But your video was so extremely thorough and your discussions about all the various options was incredible. Signing up now for your newsletter!! Thank you!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks so much! Will have an interesting little video coming up this week. 😁

[@fuyu5979]

Awesome upload that will help me to change or install. Suspect insects like ants are invading my inside home !!! Ur vid might help prevent those pests n solve the problem. Kudos for vid. Will be watching ur vid on GAPS btwn door.. Peace

[@LLOR]

Another Amazing video! As usual I learned a bunch!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Jason! 😄

[@ritafairclough6470]

Really well done video/tutorial Just purchased a 30yr old home with some funky repairs, so looking forward to watching your videos

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks, Rita! I should def have more like this 😁

[@dreammix9430]

Wow! awesome!! Just what i need to fix my kitchen door to the back yard!! THANKS!

[@mollyturgess3153]

The ant running across the threshold was cute. 12:20 🐜 I have a vintage wooden exterior door that's also interior (condo), which was cut down for carpet and padding, now removed. I'll try the L-shaped sweep. Thanks!

[@JohnBrown-z2u]

This video didn't address my problem directly but it did give me an idea on how to fix my glass storm door, so I'm glad I watched.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Glad it gave you some ideas!

[@profcah]

Great video Ethan. This is going to solve a problem I have had to address for a year now!

[@bruceyoung1343]

Our front ext door where our 14 year old shepherd has her bed. Upon changing the sheets on her bed I noticed a 1/8” gap and sunlight shining thru. I’ll have to look into closing that gap. Thank you for this video.

[@michaelinminn]

Man,, I love your posts. You do cover Everything!🙂

[@steamy1225]

Yup, i definitely need to do that to my front door and 2 garage doors, front and back. Thank for the advice.

[@DavidGomez-v7b]

That was great im on the process of reworked mi frame ,& rework my door in bad shape probably 50 years old ,this will help me on how to install thresh hold & sweep

[@austindiodene972]

Bro the adjustable part you just saved me money haha

[@milesharlan1]

Thank You. I DID not know about the adjustable threshold. I now know & use it for future issues!! Thanks again..

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

That’s great, Miles! Thanks for watching. 😄

[@euniceofori9812]

Wow! Thank you! I did not know they were adjustable, 2yo gap fixed in 10s!

[@stefboulas]

Excellent video Ethan. I have hung many doors in my career professionally. This video is well thought and explained great job.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Stef! I love hearing from other carpenters 😄

[@MrAnimal1971]

Well done and thank you. I'm fixing my shop door this weekend!

[@Ishey1]

Fantastic!! I sure wish you lived close. Thank you so much for your videos. God bless you.

[@mattbaker4655]

Nice to have you back, really enjoy your longer video topics.

[@FredD63]

Good video Ethan .. just an added FYI always treat the bottom side of self made sweeps you didn’t show it but I’m really sure that you did … keep up the great videos and how to’s 🇺🇸👊🏼👊🏼✌🏼

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

I did indeed coat the bottom and ends of the cap, Fred!

[@FredD63]

@@TheHonestCarpenter Awesome job Ethan

[@andyashby]

Great video! Very informative! Great video and explanations to show and explain all that you were doing! Love your channel! Thanks for making this video! I need to do this at my home!

[@SHAKIL9999]

Great video, great help. Thanks a lot.

[@FR-tb7xh]

Fabulous video! Wish I saw this before our weather turned cold!

[@timc8913]

Great video and wonderfully done. Thanks for sharing your professional knowledge. 👍🏼

[@S_Gal-t8f]

Wow! Thank you, very informative and so much needed.

[@juliahelland6488]

Your tutorials are great! Thanks for sharing this! 💯

[@joeuko2836]

Cool repairs techniques to add to my toolkit 😊

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you! :)

[@sleepinglioness5754]

One of my exterior doors is thin and none of the sweeps would fit (too thick). So I cut one side (basically toward the middle) and squeezed them both together to the thickness of the door. So far so good!! Great ideas and solutions. Thanks for showing all these ways. One more thing to add to my list of 1000 things to do😭

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

That’s a great fix, lioness! I highly advocate for people making their own solutions. In the end, every house is so different, we often have to improvise. I’ve got an interesting video coming in the newsletter this week about that! 😄

[@AZQuadRunner]

My adjustable cap was shot, so the custom cap was the solution. Thanks for helping me solve a problem that has irritated me.

[@BeugsTheLegend]

7 years I’ve dealt with a gap under my front door so large that bugs could walk through it and I just adjusted the sill piece and closed the gap in about three seconds. Thank you for this video.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Amazing what the tiniest little barrier can do, especially for bugs. Thanks for watching!

[@danalaniz7314]

This is really an excellent video and your explanations are great. Thank you.

[@lovelightcontinuum]

Wonderful options and very well presented.

[@a.castillo6624]

Great video/information. Appreciate the time to send it out to the masses.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you! 🙏

[@marcbarash6045]

Thanks Ethan, great repair and always welcome

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks, Marc!

[@imaginitivity7853]

Nice helpful video as I've been wrestling with a gap issue on my front door after trimming it to clear a new entrance mat. The only thing I would comment on, is if for some reason the door itself isn't square, (on older houses it may have been trimmed to fit a door frame that's moved), transferring a top edge measurement to the bottom edge width may not be correct.

[@cdinusha1]

The oak strip solution was my favourite, turned out great and I learnt a few options as well!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Dinusha! 😁

[@lindamathews9168]

Questions about a slotted sweep replacement- our door is an inside swing, does this matter on which new sweep to buy? Also some of the replacements have one bubble, two bubbles, or just several flanges sticking down, does it matter which one? Thank you for your input.

[@Eddy63]

If I wasn't already subscribed , I'd subscribe Great info as usual ... Thx

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks so much, Eddy!

[@geezer939]

It's great to see this problem eliminated in a clearly presented video! Thanks.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks for watching, Chris!

[@annerickson4788]

Thanks so much for your information!

[@nelalvarez]

Great video. Very helpfull Thank you.

[@shopart1488]

They all work well nice video!!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks so much! 😁

[@Dahkeus3]

Great vid and I learned a lot. Would love to see how to troubleshoot doors that are too wide or two narrow for their door gaps. I have a storm door that is too wide as well as one that is too narrow in the house I moved into recently.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you! I'll see what I can do on that. I've added wood furring strips to door perimeters to make them bigger, and it has worked pretty well before. Especially if it gets painted!

[@silvesterperalta2656]

I subscribed in the first few seconds, Great channel👍

[@NelsonReyesJr]

AMAZING VIDEO!!! THANKS!!

[@jordantheadvisor]

Great video and info thanks for sharing

[@marusiamarusia6907]

Hi there-this is awesome! Would you be willing to make another video on options for interior doors? Thanks a lot!

[@sociopathmercenary]

Nice. I think I'd only make the oak custom cap if I had a wood trimmed door. For most standard exterior doors, I'd go with PVC.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

I considered PVC…but I’d definitely go with the hardened kind! Similar to what they make window nosings from.

[@ladyd6877]

God bless you. I don't have dad or a brother to help me with house projects. Thank you.

[@denisconor648]

Great stuff.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Denis!

[@bobbenner8964]

Thank you, very comprehensive

[@bluedragonfly5]

So helpful....thank you!

[@BIG-DIPPER-56]

BRILLIANT - THANKS 👍

[@alee9961]

Great video and instructions! Thank you!😊

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you! 🙏

[@ivebeenthere2115]

Thank you😊 Subscribed.

[@ctgeisler]

Thanks! Subscribed.

[@marmaladesunrise]

Excellent video, Ethan.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks, Marmalade! 😄

[@Barot8]

Thank you for these instructions!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching!

[@richardrollins184]

great job

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Richard!

[@Traderjoe]

Fantastic video!

[@makatanau2878]

Great video, man! Thanks for sharing!

[@bettypecoraro8104]

Thank you for this info.

[@dennydietrich3596]

A+ on this video. Thanks

[@leo26007]

this is very useful info, thanks!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Glad it helps, Leo!

[@SmoothAlf]

Thank you for this, Ethan! I need to address a couple of doors soon.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome, Alfred. Good luck! 👍

[@maryhansen7021]

great video and editing. What do you suggest for a 1/8" gap under my exterior door? I don't wan't to replace the original wood threshold at this time and we hesitate to add a bubble gasket on the bottom (will get damaged hauling stuff into the house). 1951 house. My door is off white on the inside so those white strips don't match. The knobs are brushed nickel. Thanks!

[@donho1776]

Excellent video!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Don!

[@FadiA-u7x]

Thanks, God bless you!

[@ericarachel55]

nice work

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you!

[@maehay4065]

My garage door has dry rot all the way around it because it faces south. I need suggestions on how to remove it and how to fix it. Thanks for your good suggestions on how to get better door sweeps. 👍

[@dennisclapp7527]

Thanks HC

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome!