I'm replacing the sweep on my fiberglass exterior door, but the old one got damaged because the door was too tight. What kind of 7 1/4-inch saw blade would be best to cut off about a 1/4 inch from the bottom of the door? Any tips on avoiding chipping or ensuring a smooth cut would be appreciated!
2 Answers
You could try taping a line with masking tape across where you need to cut, and use an 80 grit belt on a belt sander to sand off the excess. I find that sanding is usually needed after cutting a door anyway. If you do decide to use a saw, make a shallow score with a razor knife slightly inside your cut line and add tape to prevent chipping. Using a fine-tooth blade and cutting slowly helps a lot. Clamping a guide to the door can also keep your saw on track!
If there's a wood core, it’s good to know! For cutting, I recommend a finish-cutting blade, at least 60 teeth. Also, put painter's tape on the cutting area to help reduce chipping as you cut. Don’t forget to seal the cut edge with paint or polyurethane before attaching the new sweep. Good luck with your project! ?
Thanks! That’s exactly what I was thinking too.

Yeah, there’s often a bit too much to sand down after cutting, but a final sanding can help get it smooth.