The level of protection of a living space from noise and drafts is not limited to the front door. No less hope is placed on interior structures. The reliability of the door depends on the material of the door leaf, as well as the type and quality of fastening elements. The review provides detailed information about the types of rubber seals for interior doors, recommendations for their selection and installation of the structure. As a supplement, we have collected tips on how to clean the seal and get rid of squeaks during its operation.
Types of rubber seals for interior doors
The seal is an elastic gasket with a different cross-section. The main purpose of the consumable element:
- increases the level of heat and noise insulation;
- protects the object from impacts;
- blocks smoke, steam and odors.
Sealing rubber is used to seal entrance and interior doors. Gaskets installed on indoor installations are made from a softer and more plastic material compared to outdoor ones. This enhances the sound insulation of the home and facilitates smooth and quiet closing of the door. Various raw materials are used as material for the production of tape, allowing the creation of several modifications that differ in shape and function. Shades are matched to the color of the door leaf.
Regardless of the profile of the sealing rubber (L-shaped or D-shaped), the thickness is 1 cm. A product with this size hides cracks well and unnoticeably.
The range of offers of rubber seals for interior doors is small, but when choosing an element it is important to understand the difference between each of them:
- Rubber . In practice, rubber seals are rarely used when installing interior furnishings and are more often in demand for installing entrance structures. Rubber is preferred for its flexibility, providing a tight fit, as well as high endurance. Good flexibility is a sign of product durability.
- Silicone . According to the operating criteria, silicone is similar to rubber. The main difference is that it is not subject to manufacturing changes by adding special impurities designed to increase its durability. For this reason, silicone elements are used only for interior doors, where the impact of external factors is less aggressive compared to street doors.
- Foam rubber . Door insulation made of foam rubber is a cheap sealant. It is practically not in demand due to its low aesthetic characteristics and fragility - from 3 to 6 months. During operation of the interior door, the rubber seal loses its original shape, decreasing in volume. This reduces the functionality of the element and causes the need to replace it.
- Felt . Felt tape is useful when installing a sliding door, which helps save room space. The element is not particularly protected from noise and drafts, but it prevents dust from entering the living room or kitchen.
According to the installation method, sealing rubber bands are divided into self-adhesive and those installed using self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws. Additionally, there is grouping by purpose:
- Thresholds . They are attached to the lower end of the canvas and serve as a replacement for a regular threshold. The tape presses tightly to the floor, and its self-adjusting property hides gaps in the presence of uneven floor coverings.
- Outline . They are placed around the perimeter of the door structure, between the leaf and the frame. The pliability of the seal contributes to its rapid recovery after pressing. Among the main advantages of this type of insulation are increased noise protection, versatility and ease of installation.
Sealing strips by door type
For each individual variety, its own seal was developed.
Input
Most often, entrance doors are finished with a dense material in the shape of a tube, inside of which there is a void. The significant thickness and bubble nature of the material create a reliable fit of the door to the frame. Read this article on how to choose reliable and warm doors for your home.
Of particular interest is the internal structure of these rubber bands for insulating doors. Thanks to the presence of internal pores, a multiple increase in the insulating effect is achieved. Most often, the entrance door seal has a self-adhesive base, which makes its installation very quick.
On the other hand, over time, the glue loses its characteristics, and the strips begin to lag around the perimeter. You can read about comprehensive door insulation.
Interior
The seal for interior doors is not assigned the function of protecting the room from outside cold, as in the previous case.
This allows you to make it more aesthetically pleasing by using more elastic and soft silicone instead of dense rubber. The installation method for these products may differ, which will be discussed below.
If you decide to change the doors during the renovation process, be sure to read this article.
Plastic
This group of materials is characterized by high speed of installation and dismantling. Grooves are usually applied to plastic doors along the line of contact with the frame, so the seals are given a special shape that follows the configuration of these grooves. Thanks to the presence of walls on the sides of the fixation point, the sealing strip receives additional protection from external aggressive influences. The seal for plastic doors is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes, so it can be used both outdoors and on interior doors without much difference. It is important to keep in mind that this rubber seal was designed specifically for plastic doors with grooves, so it is not recommended to seal other types of doors with it. In addition, different manufacturers complete their plastic doors with an individual seal: this should also be clarified when selecting a suitable material.
