Buying guide
Silicone sweep or brush strip?
A silicone sweep is a flexible blade that presses lightly against the floor and is usually held on with a peel-and-stick backing. It is quick to fit, close to invisible and works well on smooth floors. A brush strip uses a row of dense bristles, usually fixed with screws, and copes better with uneven floors, thresholds and gaps that vary along the width of the door.
As a rule of thumb, choose silicone for a tidy, no-tools job on a flat floor and choose a brush for a rough or sloping threshold, an external door, or a gap of up to 25mm.
Fit it once and fit it properly
With any adhesive product, clean the bottom of the door with a mild degreaser and let it dry completely. Adhesive struggles on a cold, damp or dusty surface, so fit it in a warm, dry spell if you can. Cut the strip slightly short of the full width so it does not catch on the door frame, and test the swing before you press the final length down.
With a screw-fixed brush, hold the strip against the door, mark through the slots, and fix it so the bristles just touch the floor. The slots let you adjust the height afterwards, which is useful when the carpet changes season to season.
Listed buildings and rented homes
Adhesive seals are usually the better choice in a rented property because they peel off, and many fit without drilling into the door. Always check a tenancy agreement for fixing rules, and for a listed or period door ask the conservation officer before fixing anything permanent.