Push-in, dart and flap and lip designs

Most modern fridge and freezer door seals contain a flexible internal magnet which sticks to the metal body of your appliance, holding the seal in place.

The two most common ways to fix the seal to the door are push-in and screw-in mechanisms. Push-in gasket systems usually incorporate one or more channels or grooves in the door into which the gasket is pushed.

Screw-in designs mostly include a mounting plate which is screwed or riveted to the door, sandwiching the gasket in between.

Door seals with a 'push-in' profile will have one or more protrusions which are designed to be pushed into the door channel. The 'Dart' profile is a variation of the push-in profile that is shaped like an arrowhead. As the dart is pushed into the channel, it compresses and then snaps into shape once in place, creating a secure connection.

Screw-in door seals usually have a 'flap and lip' profile which enable them to grip the mounting plate as it is screwed back into place.

Less common types of fridge and freezer door seal include those with 'clip-on' profiles, which are fastened to the edge of the door, 'slide-in' designs and T-profile gaskets.

Compression and adhesion sealing mechanisms

If your gasket does not conform to any of the above profiles, it may not use a magnetic sealing mechanism at all.

A compression gasket, for instance, relies on its compressive properties to form an airtight seal. They often have a half-moon profile although other designs exist.

Another gasket variation is an adhesive flat strip which is fitted by simply peeling off the backing layer and sticking into place. Some foam gaskets are designed in this way.

What are fridge door seals made from?

While most fridge door seals are made out of PVC, some are made from other materials. These include a variety of rubber compounds, silicone, EPDM and neoprene.

If you know what your existing gasket is made from, this can often help you to more quickly identify a replacement.

Is it time to replace your door seal?

We have written blog posts on how to determine whether your gaskets need replacing, but here is a summary of the red flags to watch out for:

· Your fridge is using more electricity than usual

· There is moisture or signs of mold growth inside the fridge

· The door doesn't stay closed

· There are visible splits or tears in the seal

· The door will not grip a bank note placed between the gasket and the fridge body

You may find that your gasket simply needs a good clean, but if that doesn't solve the problem, the sooner you source a replacement, the better. A compromised gasket will increase the load on your appliance's compressor, pushing up bills. It will also allow warm, moist air inside which will promote the growth of harmful microbes.

How can you make sure you buy the right door seal?

With such variation in design and construction, it can be tough to source replacement door seals, but we have made things very simple. Visit our page on profile identification for full instructions on how to cut out, measure and locate the gasket you need.

We have also written several blog posts on how to clean, check and remove your fridge and freezer door seals.