Door shoes
A section enclosing the lower edge of the leaf in a U, L or J profile, sealing the gap beneath the door and protecting the leaf edge from moisture and impact. Selection is by leaf thickness, as the section must grip; many profiles include an integral rain drip for weather-exposed openings. Installation requires removing the leaf.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a door shoe by leaf thickness?
A U section must grip both faces of the leaf, so measure leaf thickness at the bottom edge with calipers rather than relying on the nominal size. A timber leaf with several coats of paint or a clad steel leaf can be a few millimetres thicker than nominal. A shoe that is too wide sits loose and leaks; one that is too narrow will not slide on.
How do U, L and J sections differ?
A U section wraps both faces and the bottom edge, giving the best grip and edge protection. An L section covers one face and the bottom edge, for leaves where something obstructs the other face. A J section has one shorter leg and is often combined with a rain drip on the outside face.
Why does fitting a door shoe require removing the leaf?
The shoe slides onto the bottom edge from below and is screwed through the side faces, so the bottom edge must be accessible. Taking the leaf off its hinges also lets you cut the shoe to the exact leaf width and check whether the bottom edge is rotten or swollen from moisture, which a surface-fixed seal would hide.
Do I need to allow clearance once a door shoe is fitted?
A shoe adds the height of its base and sealing insert to the leaf, so check the gap from the bottom of the leaf to the floor or threshold before ordering. If the gap is too small the leaf may need trimming; on a fire door the leaf must not be cut without the door manufacturer's approval.
Can the sealing insert in a door shoe be replaced?
Most door shoes carry a vinyl insert fed into a channel on the underside, so a worn insert can be slid out and replaced without taking the shoe off the leaf. A replacement insert must match the channel's key profile, since manufacturers use different channels. Bringing a piece of the old insert makes matching much quicker.
Is a door shoe suitable for exterior doors exposed to driving rain?
Yes, this is the main use for a door shoe, since it protects the bottom edge of the leaf from water. Choose one with a drip lip on the outer face and pair it with a threshold that has a water stop, so water is shed before it reaches the seal. The bottom edge of a timber leaf should be fully sealed with paint before the shoe is fitted.
How is a door shoe cut to the leaf width?
Measure the leaf width at the bottom edge, and deduct a small clearance at each end so the shoe does not rub the frame as the leaf swings. Cut the aluminium with a fine-tooth saw and cut the vinyl insert slightly longer than the metal so it seals the ends. Deburr and trial-fit before drilling the screw holes.
Does a door shoe help keep out insects and dust?
Yes, when the insert bears evenly on the floor or threshold across the full leaf width, the bottom gap is closed well enough to limit crawling insects and wind-blown dust. The weak points are usually the two ends next to the frame, where the insert is cut short or wears first. Pairing it with a threshold that has a rubber insert gives better results in dry goods stores.
