KEEPING THE COLD OUT: MY STEP-BY-STEP FOR DRAFT-PROOFING DOORS

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.