Commercial Door Weatherstripping Types

Anyone who’s owned a business knows how troublesome air leaks can be. The constant energy loss drives up power bills and makes it difficult to maintain a comfortable, productive environment. Failure to tackle leaks means no matter how you adjust the thermostat, some rooms may be overly stuffy while others remain chilly, hindering your work or interactions with customers.

Most air leaks occur around entryways. Gaps in the bottom of the door create drafts that interfere with climate systems, raising energy costs over time. Poor insulation allows odors, car exhaust, and chemical fumes to seep in and degrade air quality. It also makes it difficult to regulate moisture levels, which can lead to mold or structural problems.

The solution? Weatherstripping – a flexible barrier installed along your doors that prevents air from entering or escaping. It’s easy to install, simple to maintain, and provides a quick return on investment. According to some estimates, fully sealing your doors lowers energy costs by 30-40 percent, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to get heating and cooling costs under control.

But with so many types of weatherstripping available, choosing one that fits your needs is not always easy. In this blog, we’ll review commercial door weatherstripping types and their benefits, to help you select the right one for your business.

Types of Commercial Weatherstripping

Because each business operates in a unique environment, there is no single solution that will protect all of your doors. In order to address the specific needs of your business (insulation, noise reduction, air sealing, etc.), commercial weatherstripping comes in several types, suited to specific doors and environments.

For instance, since they have to take the full weight of the door when it closes, rollup doors require more robust seals. Likewise, exterior doors experience more wear and tear than interior ones, and need to be sealed with stronger material. Depending on your situation, your business may require several types of weatherstripping, such as:

Gaskets

Flexible sealing components that fill the gap between the jamb and door threshold, to prevent air, water, dust, and noise infiltration. They’re constructed from a range of materials, each of which provides a different advantage.

• Silicone Gaskets. Resistant to aging, cracking, and environmental degradation, they maintain their shape and elasticity for up to 20 years. Businesses operating in wet and humid conditions often choose them for their ability to keep out moisture. Their heavy duty construction is also capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 500°F and as low as -100°F, making them one of the most reliable forms of weatherstripping for industrial environments and fire-rated doors.
• Rubber Gaskets. Easily compressing to fill gaps, they provide excellent protection against air, moisture, dust, and noise. Resistant to wear, tear, and environmental factors such as cold air, high temperatures, and UV radiation, they can operate for years without losing their shape.
• Foam Gaskets. Soft and compressible, foam gaskets conform to uneven ground in order to effectively block drafts and lock out moisture. Easy to install, they’re an affordable alternative to rubber and silicone.

V-Seal Weatherstripping

Adhesive backed stoppers suitable for windows as well as doors. Made from bronze, steel, aluminum, or high-grade plastic, they’re designed to compress and create a tight seal around the door frame. They work well with doors with moderate movement, such as storefront doors, sliding glass doors, and hollow metal doors. Though normally used to improve insulation and energy efficiency, they can also be used to block noise transmission from one room to another.

Commercial Door Sweeps

Made from densely packed nylon or polypropylene bristles, these types of brush seals are attached to the bottom and sides of the door in order to prevent drafts, dust, pests, and moisture from entering your building. An ideal choice for areas with uneven flooring, they’re commonly found in offices, warehouses, and retail spaces.

Magnetic Weatherstripping

Placing magnetized bands in rubber or plastic strips ensures steel and aluminum doors remain tightly shut, similar to your refrigerator. When closed, the magnetic force creates a consistent, gap-free barrier. The self-adjusting fit prevents air leaks, preventing outside conditions from upsetting areas that require strict temperature controls, such as clean rooms, laboratories, and industrial freezers.

Inserts

T-slot or bulb inserts are designed to fit into existing doors, replacing worn or damaged seals that can no longer provide an effective barrier. They’re available in a wide range of materials, such as foam, nylon, vinyl and synthetic rubbers like neoprene, to block air leaks and prevent stray particles from blowing in.

Weatherstripping Service and Repair

Like all commercial door hardware, weatherstripping wears out over time. To avoid problems, it needs to be checked regularly by a qualified technician, with the skills and knowledge to replace cracked, peeling, or compacted material. Vortex service teams can even upgrade existing weatherstripping with stronger materials in order to enhance your door seals and improve building efficiency. Contact us today to learn more or schedule your first appointment!