M‑D 36″ Aluminum U‑Shape Screw‑On Under–Door Seal with Kick Plate

Description

If you’ve ever felt a stubborn draft creeping in under your front door, the M‑D Aluminum and Vinyl U‑Shape Screw‑On Under Door Seal with Kick Plate was made for you. This sleek yet sturdy door bottom seal creates a quiet, sealed barrier, helping you keep your home cozy and pest-free in a snap.

Key Customer Benefits

• Slash your energy bills: The U‑shape seal plugs up to a ¾″ gap at the base of your door, stopping cold drafts or blowing hot air, so your HVAC doesn’t have to work overtime.
• Healthy indoor air, hassle-free: Flexible vinyl blocks dust, grit, and crawling insects from sneaking in under the door, perfect if you’re tired of sweeping or watching creepy crawlies roam your threshold.
• Protects your door and floor: The built-in aluminum kick plate absorbs scuffs and shoe scrapes, keeping both your door and flooring looking sharp longer.
• Simple to install and adjust: Oval, slotted screw holes mean you can tweak the seal after attaching, and it trims neatly with a hacksaw; no special tools or pro skills required.
• Durability you can trust: Crafted from long-lasting aluminum and replaced-on-demand vinyl, it stands up to weather and wear. Plus, M‑D’s been making reliable weatherstripping products since 1920.

Product Description

You know that moment when you’re tip‑toeing across your entryway and feel a cold draft whispering beneath the door? That’s exactly what the M‑D Aluminum and Vinyl U‑Shape Screw‑On Under Door Seal with Kick Plate is designed to fix and beautifully so. Picture a slim, silver strip of durable aluminum that hugs the bottom of your door, with a flexible vinyl insert that reaches down to seal the gap snugly. It’s not just a fix; it’s a small upgrade that feels like giving your door a warm hug every time you walk in.

Here’s how it works: you attach the aluminum U‑channel to the bottom of your standard 1¾″ door using the included screws. The vinyl seal, which plugs gaps up to ¾″, swings down gently to close off cold air, bugs, moisture, and even dust from sneaking inside. The sliding adjustment of the screws makes it easy to tweak the fit perfectly during installation, no awkward gaps, no uneven dragging.

What really makes this product special is that aluminum kick plate. Not only does it protect the bottom portion of the door from shoe scuffs, dog scratches, or grocery cart bumps, but it also feels polished and professional; no clunky rubber hanging down, just clean, purpose‑built design that stands the test of time.

One of the customers I recently assisted shared this little anecdote: their old door had developed a stubborn ¾″ gap after a long winter, and every morning, they heard that annoying whoosh as the heat escaped. They installed the M‑D 68593 in under 15 minutes, just a quick trim to fit, a few screws, and voilà! The drafts disappeared, their hardwood floor stopped feeling chilly, and their heating bill even dipped noticeably. It wasn’t magic, just smart engineering done right.

This U‑Shape seal isn’t one of those flimsy, single‑season solutions. It’s built by M‑D Building Products, an American brand that’s been around since 1920. They’ve been refining weatherproofing hardware for a century, and this piece reflects that old‑school quality: sturdy aluminum, robust vinyl, and thoughtful design that helps DIYers feel proud of their fix.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Details
Model Number	68593
Length	36 in (fits standard doors, cut-to-fit with a hacksaw)
Width	1¾ in (channel width, fits standard 1¾″ exterior doors)
Height	3½ in (includes kick plate depth)
Gap Coverage	Seals up to ¾ in gap beneath door
Materials	Anodized aluminum U-channel + flexible vinyl insert
Color/Finish	Silver (mill finish aluminum + matching vinyl)
Fire Rating	UL fire-rated, safe for fire-rated doors
Mounting	Screw-on installation; slotted mounting holes for adjustment
Cut-to-Fit	Trim with hacksaw to desired length
Hardware Included	Screws provided for installation
Brand Origin	M-D Building Products, U.S. manufacturer since 1920

 

How to Use / Installation Guide

Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough to installing M‑D 68593 under‑door seal in under 20 minutes:

Step 1: Measure & Trim

• Measure your door’s width and, if needed, trim the 36″ seal down to size with a hacksaw. M‑D recommends this for a perfect fit.
• Tip: Protect the aluminum edge by wrapping it with painter’s tape before cutting, it keeps it from getting scratched or jagged.

Step 2: Position the Seal

• Align the U‑shaped aluminum channel so the vinyl flap hangs just above the threshold.
• Center it on the bottom edge of your 1¾″ thick exterior door.

Step 3: Pre‑Drill & Screw

• The seal comes with screws and slotted (oval) holes for easy alignment.
• Pre-drill pilot holes in the door if you’re working with hardwood, this helps prevent splitting.
• Insert screws loosely at first, then swing the vinyl flap down gently to touch the floor or threshold, and snug the screws to secure, you’ll get a tight seal without the vinyl dragging too hard.
• Pro tip: Tighten each screw gradually, alternating left‑right, to maintain even contact.

Step 4: Final Adjustments

• Test the door, open and close it slowly. The vinyl should slightly brush the surface without dragging.
• If it’s too snug or floppy, simply loosen the screws, adjust the positioning, and re‑tighten.

Step 5: Enjoy the Results!

• Say goodbye to drafts, dust, insects, and moisture sneaking in under your door.
• Bonus: the sleek aluminum kick plate guards against scuffs from shoes and carts, your door bottom will look sharp for years.

Extra Tips from Real DIYers

• Use a piece of leftover vinyl to test-clearance before final tightening, it saves trial & error.
• For uneven thresholds, hold up a business card or coin under the vinyl before screwing down, it prevents over-tightening on higher spots.
• If your door swings outward, check clearance when it’s fully open, trim the vinyl longer if needed to avoid air gaps.

When you’re feeling the results of this small but mighty upgrade, the payoff is real: quieter floors, fewer bugs, lower energy bills, and a cooler-looking door bottom.

FAQs

1. Will the vinyl drag on my floor after installation?

Yes, especially at first, the vinyl may feel a bit tight. It often “trains” itself with use. Just open and close the door slowly for a few days, and watch how it settles. If it feels too tight, just slightly loosen the screws and let the vinyl relax. Some users even use a dab of Vaseline or rubber conditioner to ease it along while it settles in.

2. What if the door starts sticking or is hard to close?

This can happen if the seal is too snug or the door is out of alignment. Simply loosen the screws, swing the door open to check clearance, then gently adjust the seal up or down through its slotted holes. Tighten evenly again. Most of the time, repositioning fixes it in a minute. If the door still binds, you might need to re-hang the door for proper alignment .

3. How durable is the vinyl seal, won’t it rip or wear fast?

Vinyl can wear out over time, especially in high-traffic areas. Some users on DIY forums mentioned needing to replace worn-out seals occasionally. The good news? M‑D makes replacement inserts, and they’re easy to swap when the time comes.

4. Does it really seal drafts and bugs effectively?

Absolutely. The vinyl closes gaps up to ¾″, and you’ll quickly notice a calmer, cleaner entryway with fewer insects and dust, and less whooshing drafts. This under-door seal is part of what sinking a business card under the vinyl when adjusting is about, so you get a snug and precise fit.

5. What if it rains and water pools by the seal?

It’s designed to resist moisture, but on uneven thresholds, seal placement is important. Ensure that the vinyl lightly touches the threshold without squashing it completely flat. That way any water will bead off the vinyl, flow beyond the seal, and drain naturally.

6. Can I use it on an outward‑swinging door?

Yes! Just install it as described, then open the door fully to check clearance at the threshold and exterior surface. If there’s any sticking or scraping, loosen the screws and trim just a sliver more off the vinyl before tightening again.

Handy Tips from Other DIYers

Piece of information gotten from common DIY advice on sealing techniques:

“Use a piece of leftover vinyl to test‑clearance before final tightening, it saves trial & error.”
“For uneven thresholds, hold up a business card under the vinyl before screwing down, it prevents over-tightening on higher spots.”

Conclusion

You’ve seen how the M‑D Aluminum and Vinyl U‑Shape Under Door Seal with Kick Plate brings real value, sealing drafts, keeping bugs out, protecting your door, and even helping with energy savings by covering gaps up to ¾″. It’s UL fire-rated, easy to trim, and made from durable aluminum and flexible vinyl that’s built to last.

It’s more than just a piece of hardware, it’s a small upgrade that keeps your home cozier, cleaner, and quieter. Whether you’re warding off chilly drafts in winter or stopping dust and bugs in their tracks, this seal plate makes your daily life just a little bit smoother.