Door sweeps attach to the bottom edge of a door and sweep along the floor as the door is opened and closed. Door sweeps come in a variety of colors and materials. The thicker the vinyl of the door sweep, the better job it will do keeping weather, water and pests from entering the home.

Step 1: Measure the width of the door, then go buy the perfect sweep. Sweeps come in several colors, including white, brown, silver and gold. Choose a sweep with thick vinyl and a finish that best matches the interior color of the door.

Step 2: Subtract the door measurement from the total length of the door sweep. Divide this number by two and mark each end of the door sweep accordingly. Cutting an equal portion off both ends of the sweep will keep the screw holes evenly spaced along the base of the door and make mounting easier. Use a hacksaw to cut the metal portion of the new door sweep. Use scissors to cut the vinyl portion.

Step 3: Close the door and position the sweep at the bottom of the interior side of the door. The vinyl should be touching the floor all along the edge. Use a pen to mark the holes along the bottom of the door.

Step 4: Pre-drilling the holes will make the process easier. For wooden doors, screws can be started by hammering them lightly into the wood. Begin by setting the center screw in place and then work from side to side. Do not tighten the screws yet.

Step 5: Open and shut the door to test the placement of the sweep and make any necessary adjustments. Do not worry if the door sweep appears uneven on the door. If the vinyl is slightly flexed against the threshold along the full width of the door and the door swings freely open and shut, the project is a success.

Step 6: Tighten the screws into place and test the sweeping action one final time. Put your tools away, sweep up any debris and relax, knowing that though you may see light at the end of the tunnel, you won’t see it under your door.

— Have a question? Email Linda Cottin at hardware@sunflower.com.