I came up with a solution for weatherstripping a door bottom where a thick rug prevents a spring-loaded bottom sweep from retracting. I used a length of vinyl bulb weatherstripping, intended for a jamb installation, between a two-piece oak sill that I made up in the shop. I tacked the vinyl in place with brads, and then fastened the cap piece to the oak sill with brass screws. This way the vinyl can be easily replaced when necessary. However, there’s no foot traffic on the vinyl itself, and it’s above the grit line, so it should last quite a while.
—Felix Marti, Monroe, OR
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #9
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Your solution is GREAT, Mr. Marti! Merry Xmas, I'll keep this "In Mind"!
This seems good for air-sealing, but makes me nervous, especially for west facing door. Maybe I am missing something, but it seems like the system would drain to the inside, say if snow piled up against the door, and began to melt. Maybe you could attach a drip edge, to the outer surface to help against this. MD makes a nice aluminum one with a drip cap.
Good for basic residential but needs adjustments to meet Universal Design access requirements. That 1.5" rise is going to need to be beveled.
great tip,,,,, thanks
Unless this door is completely protected from rain and snow as it would be if it were the door from a house to it’s screened porch, the detail will allow water to enter under the door.
It may not leak when the door is closed against the bulb, but when the door is opened water that has collected above the tube will be released.