Spring Bronze Weatherstripping Problems and How to Fix Each One

Most spring bronze problems come from three things: the strip is facing the wrong way, it is too wide for the gap, or the door was out of alignment before the bronze went on. Find your symptom below.

The door is hard to close or won't latch

• Strip facing the wrong way. The nailed edge goes on the jamb and the free edge sits close to the door stop without touching it. On an inswing door the free edge faces the exterior. If it is reversed, pull it and re-nail it.
• Too wide or too much spring. The strip should be a little narrower than the door's thickness. Measure the gap with playing cards: 1/16" to 3/16" suits standard spring bronze. If the gap is under 1/16", plane the door first.
• Door already tight. A door that barely latched before will not latch with weatherstripping. Do the 1-minute door alignment check and adjust hinges or the strike first.

It squeaks, clicks or rattles

Look for nails that have backed out or a strip that isn't flat against the jamb. Re-set the nails. Keep nails close together so the strip can't lift between them.

It went flat and stopped sealing

Bent-over or crushed spring bronze has lost its spring. It usually happens where the strip was stepped on, overbent during install, or painted. Replace that length. It is a quick job with a one-door kit.

It was painted

Paint kills the spring and the seal. If it can't be cleaned without bending the strip, replace it, and keep painters away from the new strip.

Kinks or sharp edges at the hinges and strike

Stop the bronze at the hardware and use felt there, or notch it carefully around the hardware and file the cut. Running it over a hinge leaf works but traps the hinge.

New strip doesn't match the old color

Spring bronze varies from coppery to brassy batch to batch and darkens to brown over time. Performance is the same.

Read the full spring bronze install guide · Shop the one-door kit

Common questions

Why is my door hard to close after installing spring bronze?

Usually the strip is facing the wrong way, it is too wide for the gap, or the door was out of alignment before the bronze went on. The free edge should sit close to the door stop without touching it, and the strip should be a little narrower than the door's thickness.

Why does spring bronze weatherstripping squeak or rattle?

Nails have backed out or the strip is not lying flat against the jamb. Re-set the nails and keep them close together so the strip can't lift.

Can painted spring bronze be fixed?

Paint kills the spring and the seal. If it can't be cleaned without bending the strip, replace that length.

Want it done for you?

Classic Door installs weatherstripping and bronze thresholds on historic doors across New England. Anywhere else, send photos of the full opening, the door edge and the sill and we will tell you what you have and what to order. Not sure you picked the right part? Write "verify my order" in the order notes and we will check it before it ships.