Hager 801S 48″ DBA Nylon Brush Door Bottom Sill Sweep

Description

You’ve got the Hager 801S 48″ DBA Nylon Brush Door Bottom Sill Sweep, and it’s more than just trim; it’s your first line of defense against drafts, pests, and grime. Imagine evenings when the cold stops at your doorstep and stays out. That peace of mind? That’s what this product delivers.

Key Customer Benefits

• Keeps out the chill and critters: Nylon brush seals against wind, dust, insects and even tiny debris, giving you a quieter, cleaner home.
• Built to last: Dark bronze anodized aluminum resists corrosion and scratches, perfect for busy exterior doors exposed to sun and rain.
• Custom adjustment made easy: Slotted screw holes let you fine-tune fit for a crisp seal; no jury-rigging required.
• UL‑listed for fire doors: Meets UL 10C testing standards, making it suitable for protective fire-rated installations.
• Low‑maintenance flexibility: Brush insert stays supple even after months of use; no stiffening or fraying.
• American‑made quality and warranty: Backed by Hager’s five-year limited warranty and built in the U.S.A.
• Real-world fit and finish: Supplied with matching plated screws; installation looks as good as it functions.

Product Description

Picture this: you install the Hager 801S 48″ DBA, and the moment the door clicks shut, the outside world stays outside. This is a door bottom sill sweep, 1″ tall with projecting black nylon brush insert and housed in a 7/16″ wide anodized aluminum channel. The brush brushes; it flexes, seals, and gives you peace of mind every time you close the door.

It works by pressing the nylon brush against the sill or threshold as the door closes, forming a nearly continuous seal. The aluminum keeps it rigid and strong, while the brush conforms to uneven surfaces; so even on rough thresholds, you get minimal gaps. Over time, unlike foam or rubber, the brush stays flexible. It’s commercial‑grade gear, slotted screw holes let you adjust height up or down depending on how your door sits.

What sets this model apart is its dark bronze anodized finish. That subtle sheen resists fading and tarnishing, even in coastal climates. And those matching #6 × 5/8″ pan‑head steel screws are plated to blend in, so it looks professional. And fire‑rated? Yes, this is UL‑listed to UL10C standards when used on category J doors.

Let me tell you about one customer, call him Joshua. He installed a 48″ sweep on an outswing door leading to his back porch. Before, wind howled under that bottom seam every evening. He shared that after installing the Hager 801S, his indoor temperature stayed stable, his electric bill dropped a bit, and he actually noticed fewer bugs crawling in with the breeze. A simple brush against weather made a world of difference, and he said it felt like a small upgrade, but big impact.

Product Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Model	Hager 801S 48″ DBA, Dark Bronze Anodized Aluminum Nylon Brush (“ypeo”)
Use	Door bottom sill sweep for outswing doors, exterior applications
Brush Insert Visible Length	1″ (25 mm) nylon brush, black, flexible
Housing Height	1″ (25 mm) overall
Housing Width	7/16″ (11 mm) aluminum extrusion
Finish	Dark Bronze Anodized Aluminum (DBA), matching plated screws
Fasteners Included	#6 × 5/8″ pan‑head sheet‑metal screws, color‑matched
Fire Rating	UL Listed, tested to UL 10C (for use with Category J fire doors)
Standards & Compliance	ANSI A156.22, C UL US Listed; Rated Opening Compliant; BAA compliant (Amer. made)
Warranty	5‑year limited warranty
Country of Origin	USA (Hager manufacturing)
Weight (approx.)	~1.2 lb (per unit)

 

How to Use / Installation Guide

1. Check & Prepare

• Make sure your door opens and closes smoothly and latches properly before starting. If it’s misaligned, fix that first.
• Clean the bottom edge of the door and threshold area so the sweep seats flush.

2. Measure & Trim to Fit

• Measure the actual length of your door bottom. Remember Hager typically ships sweeps ½″ longer than stated for lengths up to 48″. So that 48″ sweep may be 48½″, aim for a neat fit.
• Use a fine-tooth hacksaw or metal-cutting blade to carefully trim the aluminum holder. Trim before any screw holes to avoid damaging pre-punched slots.
• Leave about 1/16″ extra on each end of the brush insert to avoid bunching when you close the door.

3. Dry Fit & Mark Fastener Points

• Position the sweep on the bottom of the door so the nylon brush lightly touches the threshold.
• Slotted screw holes are designed to adjust height; this helps you fine-tune compression.
• Mark pilot hole locations through these slots evenly across the bar.

4. Drill Pilot Holes

• Use a small drill bit to create pilot holes in the door edge where you marked. Pilot holes prevent splitting or skewing.

5. Secure with Screws

• Fasten using the #6 × 5/8″ pan-head screws provided. DBA finish includes matching plated screws for a clean look.
• Important: Use a manual screwdriver, never a power driver, for final adjustments. This prevents over-tightening and warping.
• Work from one end to the other; this ensures even compression and seal continuity.

6. Adjust for Seal & Smooth Operation

• Open and close the door a few times. The nylon brush should glide over the threshold and compress gently, enough to block drafts, not enough to drag and bind.
• If the brush catches or binds, loosen screws slightly and shift position until it glides freely.

7. Final Check & Maintenance

• After a couple of cycles, double-check screws and retighten gently if needed.
• Over time, keep the brush clean from dust and dirt. A light vacuum or gentle brushing is enough to maintain flexibility.
• Leverage the brush’s durability, unlike foam or rubber seals, nylon stays bouncy through hot, humid months without stiffening.

Why This Method Matters

Installing the 801S DBA this way ensures:

• A tight seal against drafts, dirt, insects and noise.
• The brush remains flexible and effective for longer.
• The finish stays unmarred, and the sweep looks as good as it performs.

You get a consistent, professional seal every time, with the satisfaction of doing it yourself right.

FAQs

1. Is the 801S suitable for exterior doors?

A: Absolutely, it’s made for outswing doors. The design helps seal against drafts, pests, dust, and even positive pressure smoke, when used with a threshold. Perfect for exterior use where weather protection matters most.

2. Can I use it on fire‑rated doors?

A: Yes, Hager lists the 801S for UL 10C fire door applications (Category J doors). That means you can rely on it in settings requiring fire resistance and smoke control. Just be sure it’s installed per the door manufacturer’s fire‑rating instructions.

3. How flexible is the brush? Will it stiffen over time?

A: This isn’t foam; it’s a black nylon brush. That nylon stays springy even through temperature swings and humidity. It doesn’t harden or crack like rubber might. A quick vacuum or rinse keeps it functioning well.

4. What screws come with it?

A: You’ll get #6 × 5/8″ pan‑head sheet metal screws. For the DBA (dark bronze anodized) version these are color‑matched plated screws so they blend right in with the finish. No mismatched heads for your installer to worry about.

5. The sweep is labeled 48″, can I trim it down if needed?

A: Yes. Hager typically supplies sweeps up to 48″ oversized by about ½″, so the bar might actually be around 48½″. It’s totally expected that you’ll trim it to exact door width, leaving a tiny 1/16″ gap at each end to prevent brush bunching.

6. My door is uneven at the bottom. Will the seal still work?

A: The nylon brush adapts, it flexes to uneven thresholds, giving a continuous seal where a rigid strip wouldn’t. And the slotted screw holes let you adjust for compression height so it glides, not drags.

7. Is maintenance difficult?

A: Not at all. A quick brush or vacuum along the bristles keeps it clean and working smoothly. Over years, you’ll find it stays flexible and effective even in moist or dusty environments.

Pro Installer Tip:

Installers say tighten screws gently by hand, not with a power driver, to avoid over‑compressing or warping the aluminum holder. It also helps keep that sleek finish intact.

Final Thoughts

After walking through specs, benefits, installation tips, and user feedback, you’ve got the full picture. The Hager 801S 48″ DBA Dark Bronze Anodized Aluminum Nylon Brush Door Bottom Sill Sweep is practical, smartly designed, and built to last. It’s been quietly performing for homeowners and installers alike; just solid, no-nonsense gear.

If you’re ready to boost seal performance, cut energy waste, stop bugs at the door, and have that polished look every time the door closes; this is a smart pick.