Guides
Commercial Door Weatherstripping and Seals
How do you know what weatherstripping, sweeps, or seals to choose for the doors in your facility? The countless options can make finding the most fitting solutions for your doors seem confusing. In this article, we will share our most popular commercial door sealing options from the leading manufacturer of commercial door weatherstripping – National Guard Products.
How to Choose the Right Commercial Door Seals, Sweeps, and Weatherstripping
Properly installing and maintaining commercial door insulation is both necessary to meet certain building codes and ratings, and beneficial for maintaining the building. It’s necessary because the International Building Code (IBC) requires certain commercial doors (like classroom doors and swing fire doors) to have an edge sealing system. This is because an excessive gap between the door and the door frame can jeopardize the integrity of the door. Certain doors, like doors in schools that lead to core learning spaces, have to meet certain sound transmission class (STC) ratings too. Both of these requirements are achieved by installing proper door seals. Weatherstripping also helps to decrease energy usage by letting in less air from outside, and stopping insects or other creatures from getting into buildings or rooms.
National Guard Products
National Guard Products (NGP), founded in 1935, is a leading manufacturer of commercial door hardware including thresholds, gaskets, and a variety of other specialty products like food shields, anti-ligature tips and gasketing, and fire door accessories. NGP creates their door products with code requirements for certain locations and facilities in mind. Equiparts has been supplying our customers with National Guard Products for over 20 years. We carry many items in stock and ready to ship, and will help you order any specialized or custom National Guard Products you need. View our online selection of National Guard Products now. Keep in mind that only a select few of the most popular items are listed online. The majority of their items that we carry you must call in to order.
Comparing Seals to Sweeps to Weatherseals
National Guard Products carries hundreds of options for door sweeps, seals, weatherstripping, and other door hardware accessories and parts. The commercial door hardware items they make are available in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and/or materials. For this article, we are going to compare 3 popular types of door weatherizing options: seals, sweeps (also called brushes), and weatherstripping in commonly ordered sizes. Note that these options are not chosen exclusively of one another, but are often used in conjunction with one another.
Neoprene Door Seal for Double Doors
The door seal shown above is a Neoprene Smoke-Rated Astragal Seal Set. It features an anodized aluminum astragal with EPDM seal. These door seals are designed to be installed in between double doors. They eliminate the gap between the doors.
Features:
- Very Good Abrasion Resistance, Tensile Strength, and Memory
- Flame Resistant
- Moisture Resistant
- Temperature Range -60°F to 250°F
- Good Resistance to Ozone, Sunlight, and Aging
- BHMA Certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.22 Performance Tests for
Heat, Cold, Air Infiltration, and Smoke Infiltration - Fire-Rated Astragal Seals Cannot Replace Any Astragal Required
on the Door by the Door Manufacturer to Maintain Its Fire Label - IBC, NFPA 80, NFPA105, and NFPA 252 Require the Gap at the
Meeting Edge Between Fire Labeled Doors To Not Exceed 1/8″ - #6 x 3/4″ Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Screws Furnished
- Screw Holes are Slotted for Adjustment
Standards:
- CERTIFIED by UL to CAN/ULC-S104 and ANSI/UL10B, complies with NFPA 80 and NFPA 252 for application to Hollow Metal fire doors rated up to 3 Hours, and Wood fire doors rated up to 90 minutes.
- POSITIVE PRESSURE – CERTIFIED by UL to ANSI/UL10C, complies with IBC, NFPA 80 and NFPA 252 for application to Hollow Metal fire doors rated up to 3 Hours, and Wood fire doors rated up to 90 minutes.
- AIR INFILTRATION TESTED to ASTM E283, Standard Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors.
- SMOKE & DRAFT CONTROL GASKETING. Certified by UL to ANSI/UL10C and ANSI/UL1784 Category ‘H’; complies with IBC and NFPA 105 for use on ‘S’ labeled Positive Pressure Hollow Metal fire doors rated up to 3 hours, and Wood fire doors rated up to 90 minutes.
- ANSI/BHMA CERTIFIED. Certified Gasketing complies with American National Standard for Door Gasketing and Edge Sealing Systems ANSI/BHMA A156.22 and is listed in the BHMA Certified Products Directory.
Installation Instructions:
- Cut astragal to length.
- Position on doors.
- Mark screw holes.
- Drill pilot holes for screws using a 7/64″ drill bit.
- Install with screws provided.
- Adjust astragal so it does not impede proper closing and latching of doors.
Popular Door Seal Products
These door seals are priced per foot. Two pieces must be ordered to make a set.
⅜-Inch Neoprene Door Seal
Satin Aluminum – Part #10150
National Guard Products model 115NA
Dark Bronze – Part #10152
National Guard Products model 115NDKB
Nylon Brush Door Sweep
These door sweeps are nylon brush perimeter seals or sweeps. It is made of anodized aluminum with a nylon brush. Door sweeps or brushes are designed to be installed at the bottom of doors. They help minimize air leaks. This kind is considered an sweep since it screws into the door (versus other sweep options that can slide onto the door).
Features:
- Aluminum alloy 6063, T5 temper
- Synthetic polymer: Polyamide
- Excellent abrasion resistance, flexibility and memory
- Moisture resistant
- Retains insecticides well
- Temperature range -70°F to 425°F
- REACH and RoHS compliant
- Not effective against water penetration
- #6 x 3/4″ stainless steel sheet metal screws furnished
- Screw holes slotted for adjustment
- Nylon brush is gray
- Anodized aluminum
Standards:
- CERTIFIED by UL to CAN/ULC-S104 and ANSI/UL10B, complies with NFPA 80 and NFPA 252 for application to Hollow Metal fire doors rated up to 3 Hours, and Wood fire doors rated up to 90 minutes.
- POSITIVE PRESSURE – CERTIFIED by UL to ANSI/UL10C, complies with IBC, NFPA 80 and NFPA 252 for application to Hollow Metal fire doors rated up to 3 Hours, and Wood fire doors rated up to 90 minutes.
- AIR INFILTRATION TESTED to ASTM E283, Standard Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors.
- SMOKE & DRAFT CONTROL GASKETING. Certified by UL to ANSI/UL10C and ANSI/UL1784 Category ‘H’; complies with IBC and NFPA 105 for use on ‘S’ labeled Positive Pressure Hollow Metal fire doors rated up to 3 hours, and Wood fire doors rated up to 90 minutes.
Door Sweep Installation Instructions
- Remove brush from metal retainer.
- Cut brush to fit opening, using the cutting section of pliers or diagonal cutters. If bristles are not secure, crimp the end of the metal or use a drop of adhesive to secure the brush.
- Cut the metal retainer to length.
- Replace brush in metal retainer.
- With door closed, position sweep at bottom of door and tap down until contact is made between the sweep
and the threshold. Mark screw holes. - Drill pilot holes for screws with a 7/64″ bit.
- Install with screws provided.
- Slightly peen the ends of each retainer to secure the brush from moving.
- Adjust position so sweep does not impede proper closing and latching of door.
Popular Door Sweep Products
The door sweep shown here is priced per foot. There are two popular sizes (1/2-inch and 1-inch) listed below, each with part numbers for satin aluminum and dark bronze. Both sweeps can be used on the bottom of doors, but the ½-inch can also be used in between double doors.
½-inch Nylon Brush Perimeter Seal or Sweep (Model 600)
Satin Aluminum – Part #10129
National Guard Products model 600A
½-inch size brush
Dark bronze – Part #10131
National Guard Products model 600DKB
½-inch size brush
1-inch Nylon Brush Perimeter Seal or Sweep (Model 601)
Satin Aluminum – Part #10132
National Guard Products model 601A
1-inch size brush
Dark bronze – Part #10134
National Guard Products model 601DKB
1-inch size brush
Self-Adhesive Siloxane Weatherseal (also called Weatherstripping)
The Self-Adhesive Weatherseal is a silicone bulb fire and smoke seal that is self-adhesive. Designed to be installed in the door seam of interior or exterior doors. Keeps outdoor air and bugs from coming through the door.
Features:
- Synthetic rubber polymer: Siloxane
- Self-Adhesive
- Excellent flexibility and memory
- Flame resistant
- Moisture resistant
- Temperature range -100°F to 500°F, remains flexible at extreme temperatures
- Excellent resistance to ozone, UV and aging
- Recommended for areas using FM200 or Halon Fire Suppression Systems
- BHMA Certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.22 performance tests for heat, cold and air infiltration
- Modified acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive protected by release liner
- Provides high initial adhesion and long term holding power for permanent mounting in exterior or interior locations
- Resistant to aging, weathering, UV radiation, water, detergent, alcohol and the influence of chemicals
- End use temperature range of adhesive, long term exposure -30°F up to 250°F
- Shelf life of adhesive prior to installation is one year when stored at 75°F and 50% relative humidity or less
- Edge Sealing System – category “G” for 20 minute rated category B wood doors perimeter application up to: single swing 4’0 x 8’0, pairs 8’0 x 8’0. Use 9550 at the meeting edge of pairs
- Smoke and draft control – category “H”, up to 3 hours hollow metal fire doors, up to 90 minutes wood fire doors
- Meets requirements of RoHS directive
- 1/2″ wide x 1/4″ tall
- Brown
Standards:
- CERTIFIED by UL to CAN/ULC-S104 and ANSI/UL10B, complies with NFPA 80 and NFPA 252 for application to Hollow Metal fire doors rated up to 3 Hrs., and Wood fire doors rated up to 90 minutes.
- POSITIVE PRESSURE – CERTIFIED by UL to ANSI/UL10C, complies with IBC, NFPA 80 and NFPA 252 for application to Hollow Metal fire doors rated up to 3 Hrs., and Wood fire doors rated up to 90 minutes.
- AIR INFILTRATION TESTED to ASTM E283, Standard Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors.
- ACOUSTICAL TESTED to ASTM E90 Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements, and ASTM E2235 Standard Test Method for Determination of Decay Rates for use in Sound Insulation Test Methods. Refer to information on pages G4 and G5 of our Gasketing catalog for test result data.
- SMOKE & DRAFT CONTROL GASKETING. Certified by UL to ANSI/UL10C and ANSI/UL1784 Category ‘H’; complies with IBC and NFPA 105 for use on ‘S’ labeled Positive Pressure Hollow Metal fire doors rated up to 3 hours, and Wood fire doors rated up to 90 minutes.
- NGP-EDGE® SEALING SYSTEM. Certified by UL to ANSI/UL10C Category ‘G’; required for Category B wood fire doors to meet positive pressure requirements complying with IBC, and NFPA 252. See individual products for maximum door size and ratings.
- ANSI/BHMA CERTIFIED. Certified Gasketing complies with American National Standard for Door Gasketing and Edge Sealing Systems ANSI/BHMA A156.22 and is listed in the BHMA Certified Products Directory.
Installation Instructions
- The surface temperature of the frame must be above 50°F for the adhesive to bond.
- Clean frame with clean wipe provided to remove dust, oil, grease and dirt. Wax coated or high gloss painted surfaces may require roughening of the surface with a Scotch-Brite pad or sandpaper so door adhesive will properly bond.
- Measure and pre-cut pieces to fit the head and jambs.
- Remove protective backing 1 to 2 feet at a time.
- Position on frame where illustrated, allowing approximately 1/16″
between seal and frame for clearance when compressed. - Adhere by pressing firmly (approx. 15 lbs. pressure required) straight down along the entire length of gasketing. Do not remove and relocate. WARNING: Do not rub along length from one end toward the other end during installation as the gasket will stretch and not adhere properly.
- Make sure the seal does not impede proper closing and latching of the door.
Popular Weatherseal Products
Self Adhesive Weatherseal (½-inch x ¼-inch) – Part #10096
National Guard Products model 5050B
20-Foot Roll
Self Adhesive Weatherseal (⅜-inch x ¼-inch) – Part #10097
National Guard Products model 5050B
20-Foot Roll
We also carry double-sided tape weatherstripping and brush-tape that can be used to winterize doors and windows.
How to Order Commercial Door Seals, Sweeps, and Weatherproofing
Give us a call to work with one of our sales reps. If you know exactly which door sweep, seal, or weatherstripping you need, they will help you place your order. If you need help figuring out what solution is best for your application, they can do that as well.
Place your order online or just give us a call to learn more about options or answer any further questions at 800-442-6622 M-F 8:00AM – 4:00PM EST. One of our knowledgeable repair parts specialists will be happy to help you.
