What's this strip on my door

ChilliBob

Hey everyone, I assume this is (well, was) some kind of draught thing or something. Essentially I have a set of double doors at the front of the house, and on the 'slave' door is this white plastic stuff that's stapled to where the doors meet. It's folded over in a tight V shape (at the bottom this has come away, so it's just a strip of plastic and some ugly staples.

In an ideal world I'd get it, and the staples out, and replace with something else. Clearly it was there for a reason, but I'm not 100% sure what, and what would be a better replacement.

Answers most appreciated!

itsthelittlethings

I’m guessing it’s a fire safety feature.

Emmia

Or some sort of weatherproofing/draught excluder - the photo isn't very clear though.

If it is a stable door draught excluder, then there are replacements available.

https://www.stormguard.co.uk/stormguard-products/stable-door-kit/

ChilliBob

Yeah, it wouldn't really focus too well with the inside of the door being white too. I'll try again! 

ChilliBob

These are still pants, sorry, but perhaps it helps!

So with the flap bit broken off it's like this - ugly s d pointless? 

Then you can see it open and sort of split. 

Emmia

Is there a section still in place? What does it look like when the door is closed?

If it was an intumescent strip for fire I'd expect it to be a bit furry, but it's not.

ChilliBob

Yeah, the bit with my fingers is the most complete bit. Basically more than half is just the strip and staples. So clearly it needs to go but to be replaced with what!

When the door is closed it'll be flat, two thin bits of plastic on top of each other. It only opens up 1-2 mm when the door is open.

It's probably been there around 18 years (we've only been here 4)

WIAWSNB

Almost certainly just a draught excluder. (And I don't see any reason for an intumescent strip on an exterior door anyway).

They come in a few forms, with that one being as you say - a folded strip of thin plastic.

I think a foam or rubber type would be more effective, as it forms to all undulations. It'll also give the door a nice closing thunk. 

Have a look from the outside when the door is closed - push against it, and roughly measure the gap that needs filling. Choose a strip to match.

ChilliBob

I reckon it's probably this:

https://www.stormguard.co.uk/stormguard-products/v-seal/

I agree something a bit chunkier would work - but not too chunky!

WIAWSNB

ChilliBob said:

I reckon it's probably this:

https://www.stormguard.co.uk/stormguard-products/v-seal/

I agree something a bit chunkier would work - but not too chunky!

Yes, that type of stuff.
I've never used that type, only the 'foam'. I imagine that the plastic 'blade' of the 'V' does 90% of the draughtproofing job, but it cannot fit into every crack and groove in the frame and door. If there is a 'bump', then the blade is bound to be held away from full contact either side of it.
A 'foam' or rubber seal on the other hand, is amorphous (had to look that up...), so will follow and fill any imperfection, and seal it orf 100%.
But, don't make it too thick, or the non-closing of the door will surprise you :-)  Try and find one that is just squeezed.