What's the Best Shower Door Sweep? How to Choose The Right One
Is your shower leaking water onto the bathroom floor no matter how carefully you try to contain the spray inside? Do you find yourself mopping up puddles every time someone takes a shower? A worn out or ill-fitting shower door sweep could be to blame.
Shower door sweeps are essential accessories that seal the gaps around your shower entrance to prevent water from escaping and causing leaks or water damage. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which sweep is right for your shower setup?
What Are Shower Door Sweeps?
Shower door sweeps, also called shower door seals, are vinyl, rubber, or brush strips that attach to the bottom and/or sides of a sliding shower door to fill in any gaps that would otherwise allow water to leak out.
There are a few main types of shower door sweeps:

- Bottom sweeps attach to the underside of a shower door near the threshold.
- Side sweeps attach vertically to the opening side of the door.
- Door jamb sweeps attach vertically to seal the gap between two shower doors or panels.
Shower door sweeps use compression, magnets, brush bristles, or a combination to create a water-tight barrier while still allowing the doors to slide open and closed easily. They come in standard sizes but can often be trimmed down to fit your exact shower dimensions.
Why Are Shower Door Sweeps Important?
You may wonder if you can just skip installing shower door sweeps. But there are some important reasons to use them:
- Prevent Leaks - Sweeps seal gaps that would otherwise leak water onto your bathroom floor.
- Limit Mold & Mildew - Sweeps prevent moisture from collecting, limiting mold/mildew growth.
- Reduce Slipping Hazards - Sweeps keep the floor around the shower dry, preventing slippery surfaces.
- Protect Floors - Keep floors free from moisture damage and warping.
- Energy Efficiency - Sweeps keep shower humidity and warm air contained.
Replacing worn out or inadequate shower door sweeps is a quick and inexpensive way to prevent leaks, mold growth, floor damage, and safety hazards in the bathroom.
Bottom Shower Door Sweeps
Bottom sweeps are likely the most common and useful type of shower door sweep. As the name implies, they attach to the bottom edge of a shower door to fill the gap between the bottom of the door and the shower threshold or tub edge.
This prevents water from leaking out under the door every time you take a shower. Bottom door sweeps come in various styles:
- Vinyl sweeps - Made of flexible PVC, vinyl sweeps compress when the door closes to form a water-tight seal. They are inexpensive and easy to install using adhesive.
- Rubber sweeps - Typically made of silicone or thermoplastic rubber, they are durable and naturally water-repellent. Rubber bottom sweeps easily conform to gaps.
- Bristle sweeps - Bristle sweeps use layers of flexible rubber fingers that compress when the door closes. The "brush" design seals gaps while allowing debris to be swept off.
- Magnetic sweeps - These incorporate magnets to adhere the bottom of the door to a metal strip on the tub or threshold for a tight, clean seal.
To choose the right bottom sweep, pay attention to the depth of your door threshold or tub edge. Deep thresholds require longer sweeps so they can adequately seal the gap. Measure the gap depth and height when shopping for the correct bottom sweep size.
Side Shower Door Sweeps
For shower doors that open outward and connect to the wall at one side, a side door sweep is needed. Side sweeps attach vertically along the hinged opening edge of the door to seal gaps where water could leak out.
Like bottom door sweeps, vinyl, rubber, and bristle brush designs are available. Make sure to measure the height of your door edge to get a side sweep that fits properly.
If you don't have a side sweep on an outward opening shower door, leaks through the hinges and door edge gaps will be a constant battle!
Door Jamb Shower Sweeps
Where you have two shower doors meeting or a door connecting with a glass panel, you'll want a door jamb shower sweep. Jamb sweeps fill the vertical gap between two surfaces.
Self-adhesive vinyl jamb sweeps are the most convenient option. Or, consider an adjustable jamb sweep. Adjustable sweeps can be cut to size and can be tightened or loosened as needed over time to ensure a snug, watertight fit as doors shift or settle.
Make sure to measure the floor to ceiling gap when shopping for a door jamb sweep. Getting the right length is key to sufficient coverage and leak prevention.
Specialty Shower Door Sweeps
Aside from the basic bottom, side, and jamb shower door sweeps, there are a few specialty options to be aware of:
- Glass-to-glass sweeps - Used between two glass shower door panels or enclosures.
- Wall-to-glass sweeps - Used where a glass panel meets a wall or tile surface.
These sweeps fill the vertical gaps you may encounter in frameless showers and custom glass block wall designs. Make sure to measure the width between surfaces for proper sizing.
Shower Door Sweep Materials
Shower door sweeps are most commonly crafted from:
- Vinyl - Economical and easy to trim and install but less durable than other materials.
- Rubber - Flexible and waterproof but more prone to staining over time.
- Silicone - Maintains flexibility and seals well even in hot shower conditions.
- Bristle - Compresses easily while sweeping away debris.
- Magnets - Create a tight water barrier and contemporary look; often combined with bristles.
Consider sweat tolerance, cleaning needs, and your bathroom's humidity levels when selecting sweeps. For example, silicone rubber works well in steam showers while vinyl can become brittle when exposed to very hot, humid conditions over time.
Buying Considerations for Shower Door Sweeps
You can shop for replacement shower door sweeps at any home improvement store, online, or directly through specialty shower door manufacturers. Here are some tips for purchasing sweeps:
- Carefully measure the dimensions of gaps needing sweeps. Height, width, and depth are all important.
- Check sweeps for sizing options and trimability to customize fit.
- Look for antimicrobial/mildew-resistant properties if mold is a concern.
- Buy a few extras since sweeps wear out and may need replacing every 1-2 years.
Many sweeps are simple to install using either peel-and-stick adhesive or screw mounts. But for specialty shower doors, professional installation may be advisable. Expect to spend $10-50 buying replacement sweeps.
Pro tip: Purchase some painter's tape along with your new sweeps! Applying tape along the edges of surfaces temporarily protects them while you install new sweeps.
When to Replace Shower Door Sweeps
Don't wait until your bathroom floor is a soaked, slippery mess to replace bad shower door sweeps! Here are some signs it's time to swap in new ones:
- Visible cracking, warping, or tearing
- Hardening or brittle/stiff sweep material
- Leaking water
- Gaps or visible light under doors
- Doors not closing snugly and latching
- Mineral deposits or mold on sweeps
Even if you don't notice leaks, experts recommend replacing shower door sweeps every 12-24 months. Sweeps deteriorate gradually and will lose compression and sealing capabilities over time. Periodic replacement prevents bigger leaks down the road.
Choosing the Best Shower Door Sweeps
When it's time for new shower door sweeps, focus on choosing the right sweep types and materials for your needs. Keep these tips in mind:
- Measure carefully to find accurately sized sweeps
- Match sweep style to your threshold depth and door configuration
- Select durable materials suited to your shower's environment
- Buy specialty sweeps like jamb seals for gaps between doors/glass
- Consider convenient self-adhesive and adjustable sweeps
- Replace sweeps every 1-2 years before leaks occur
Investing in quality, properly fitted shower door sweeps suited to your setup is the best way to prevent annoying and hazardous leaks. With the right sweeps installed, you can relax and enjoy your shower knowing water will stay inside where it belongs.
Magnetic Shower Door Sweeps
Magnetic shower door sweeps provide a sleek, modern option for keeping shower water contained. They consist of a magnetic strip along the bottom of the shower door and a corresponding magnetic strip mounted to the threshold or tub floor.
When the shower door is closed, the magnetic strips adhere to each other forming a tight water barrier without requiring a separate vinyl or rubber sweep insert. Many magnetic sweeps also incorporate a bristle or foam sweep between the magnets to block moisture.
Magnetic sweeps have an attractive, low-profile design. They eliminate the need to frequently replace worn sweep inserts since the magnets retain their bonding strength over time.
Adjustable Shower Door Sweeps
Adjustable shower door sweeps are a versatile option and make it easy to tailor the sweep to fit your exact shower dimensions. Adjustable sweeps feature a moveable interior strip that can slide to fill gaps perfectly.
They can be conveniently tightened or loosened over time to accommodate shifting doors or seasonal humidity changes. Adjustable sweeps with microban antimicrobial product protection are also available for inhibiting mold.
The flexibility of adjustable shower door sweeps makes them well-suited to showers with atypical dimensions or uncommon angles that would be tricky to fit with standard, static vinyl or rubber sweeps.
Anti-Mold Shower Door Sweeps
Mold and mildew growth around showers can be an unpleasant issue, especially in humid climates. To help prevent mold, some companies now make shower door sweeps with antimicrobial treatments.
These sweeps incorporate additives like Microban or antibacterial silver ions that inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Using antimicrobial vinyl, silicone, or rubber material prevents sweeps from becoming overgrown with black mold.
Anti-mold shower sweeps provide both leak protection and hygienic benefits. They are ideal for areas prone to high humidity and dampness.
Touchless Shower Door Sweeps
For a more technologically advanced shower experience, touchless shower door sweeps are controlled by motion sensor activation. An infrared sensor is built into the sweep assembly.
When the shower door is opened, the sweep automatically retracts into the door frame to allow entry. Once the door closes again, the sweep deploys down to the threshold, sealing the gap at the shower entrance.
Touchless, automatic shower door sweeps provide effortless operation and hands-free convenience when showering. They run on batteries, typically lasting 6-12 months before needing replacement.
LED shower door sweeps take ordinary vinyl or rubber sweeps and upgrade them with colorful, waterproof LED lights. The LED strip illuminates the shower entrance in a variety of colors.
Controls allow users to select different colored lighting effects or program timed light sequences. Some even sync with music! LED shower door sweeps add a cool, contemporary ambiance to the bathroom.
Powered by batteries or USB charging, LED shower door sweeps provide both function and fun. The LED lights last for thousands of hours, so the sweeps still maintain their sealing capabilities.
It's easy to choose the ideal sweep types and materials for your needs. Investing in the best quality shower door sweeps designed for your exact shower setup ensures you can prevent leaks and damage while adding a nice look to your bathroom.