I've trimmed sweeps a few times too, and honestly, it's usually fine. But I did notice once when dealing with a softer rubber sweep—it wore down quicker than the firmer ones. Had to redo it sooner than expected... threshold itself was totally solid though.
I've had similar experiences with softer rubber sweeps—they definitely seem to wear out quicker, especially if the door sees heavy traffic or exposure to weather. Firmer materials usually hold up better, but sometimes they're not as effective at sealing drafts, so it's a bit of a trade-off.
One thing I've noticed is that the type of flooring can also impact how quickly sweeps wear down. For instance, rougher tile or textured stone thresholds tend to chew through softer rubber faster than smoother surfaces like hardwood or vinyl.
Curious if anyone's experimented with brush-style sweeps instead of rubber? I've seen them used in commercial spaces and wondered if they'd be more durable for residential use...
I've actually switched to brush-style sweeps on a couple of my exterior doors, and honestly, they're pretty great. I was skeptical at first because they seemed more suited for commercial buildings, but they've held up surprisingly well at home. My back door sees a ton of foot traffic (kids, pets, you name it...) and the rubber sweeps were getting shredded way too fast. The brush sweep has lasted much longer and still does a decent job keeping drafts out.
One thing though—if your threshold is uneven or really rough stone, the brushes can get bent out of shape over time. Still, they're easy enough to straighten out or trim if needed. Plus, they don't seem to drag as much dirt and debris inside compared to rubber sweeps.
I'd say give it a shot; worst-case scenario you're back to square one, but best-case you find something that lasts longer and saves you some hassle down the road.
"Plus, they don't seem to drag as much dirt and debris inside compared to rubber sweeps."
Good point about the dirt—I noticed the same thing. Brush sweeps definitely handle grit better, especially if you've got pets tracking stuff in constantly. Worth the switch for sure.
"Brush sweeps definitely handle grit better, especially if you've got pets tracking stuff in constantly."
Totally agree on the pet thing—my dog seems to think it's his life's mission to bring half the backyard inside every day. Switched to brush sweeps last spring and it's been way less gritty underfoot since then... my floors thank me daily, lol.