Honestly, I’ve never had much luck with magnetic seals on older doors either. In my experience, they’re really designed for newer, perfectly square frames—once there’s any warping, the magnets just don’t make full contact. I actually prefer using silicone rubber weatherstripping for tricky frames. It’s a bit more forgiving and seems to compress better around odd gaps. It’s not invisible, but it holds up well and doesn’t need the frame to be perfect. The felt/foam combo works in a pinch, but I always worry about longevity... those materials seem to wear down pretty fast in high-traffic spots.
In my experience, they’re really designed for newer, perfectly square frames—once there’s any warping, the magnets just don’t make full contact.
I hear you on the magnetic seals—I've had the same issue with older, slightly warped frames. Silicone rubber has been my go-to as well, especially for "tricky frames" like you mentioned. Quick thoughts from my last project:
- Silicone compresses nicely, even when the frame isn’t perfect.
- It’s not subtle, but it’s durable—clients rarely call back about drafts after install.
- I’ve tried felt/foam too, but like you said, it just doesn’t last in busy spots.
Honestly, sometimes a little visible weatherstripping is worth it for a warm room.