Can we talk about picking the right door seals for a high-rise

I had to choose between magnetic seals and brush seals for a bank of four elevators in a 30 story building here in Chicago. The manufacturer pushed the brush option for noise reduction, but I went with magnetic after talking to a superintendent who had constant complaints about air leaks. That was six months ago and only one return call so far for a loose seal. Has anyone else had better luck with one type over the other in windy conditions?

2 comments

2 Comments

haydenbutler14d ago

I completely agree with your choice on the magnetic seals. I put them in a 25 story building near Lake Michigan and the draft complaints dropped to almost nothing. The brush seals might be quieter, but they just can't handle the wind load you get in a high-rise.

rose_hart13d ago

I'm not sure about the wind load being the main issue. Brush seals actually handle wind better in some ways because they flex and don't get knocked out of alignment as easily. The problem with magnetic ones in high rises is more about the gap inconsistency. Those big buildings settle and shift over time, and the magnets can lose contact if the door frame twists even a little bit. Brush seals are more forgiving of that movement. I've seen magnetic seals fail on high rise buildings just because the doors sagged half an inch after a few years. The draft complaints might have dropped, but that could be from the overall seal density rather than the magnets themselves doing anything special.