If you’ve got a garage door that lets in cold air, it might be time to weatherstrip the doors.
This article will cover how to tell if your garage needs this project and what types of weatherstripping are available for installation.
The first thing you need to do is check the seals on your doors. You should see an inch or two of space between the bottom seal and where the ground meets up with it at each side of the door. If there isn’t enough space then install new seals under both sides of each panel and replace them every few years when they start getting brittle.
If you have plenty of room in front but not behind, then most likely all you need is some foam weatherstripping. This can be purchased for a lot less money than new doors.
While it’s not necessary to do both types of weatherstripping, you should do whichever one is cheaper and easier to install first so that the rest of your job will go smoother. However, if both options are similar in price or cost more, then it’s up to you which one to get. It’s better to do this project yourself, but if you aren’t comfortable doing the work on your own then you may want to hire someone else.
Check the seals on your garage doors.
They should be a few inches away from where the ground meets up with it at each side. If there isn’t enough space then install new seals under both sides of each panel and replace them every few years when they start getting brittle.
If you have plenty of room in front but not behind, then most likely all you need is some foam weather-stripping.
Foam Weather-stripping
There is a lot of foam weather-stripping. kits you can buy for around $20. You may be able to get one in your local hardware store or order it online from your garage door company’s website. The foam will usually come with a metal strip that goes across the bottom to help hold it in place. It is the most cost-effective method of weather-stripping. a garage door. You can just attach it to the bottom edge on one side and then cut off the excess from each end so that you can prop open your doors without worrying about letting in the air or cold water through the cracks.
If you don’t want to install the foam yourself, then you could hire someone. It is usually pretty easy to do but if it’s freezing outside it might be worth paying a little more to have someone else do it for you.
PVC Weather-stripping
This type of weather-stripping not as common but works just as well and is usually easier for most people to install. First, you need to measure the bottom of your door by pulling up on it and measuring how much space there is between the bottom panel of your door and the ground when normal weight is put on it. Then cut two pieces of PVC pipe that are 12 inches long, or whatever length matches the measurement you got. Then put one at each end of the door. This works by filling up the space at each side with this foam-like material and then attaching it to your metal bottom panel.
Once again, you can install this yourself or pay someone to do it for a little extra money. The ability to prop open your garage doors for ventilation should make this option very affordable, and if you need to replace your entire door then this will also prevent you from having to do it multiple times.
Weather-stripping for Your Garage Door
If you go through the hassle of measuring the bottom of your door and cutting the PVC pipes yourself, then you should just try covering the whole thing with rubber foam sheets. These are the same sheets used for gaskets and can be bought from a hardware store or online. It will be more expensive than prop open doors, but it is also more difficult to install.
You’ll need to cut each sheet down so that it covers only one side of the door and trim off any excess, then you’ll likely need to attach it to the bottom of your door with some glue that can withstand temperatures of up to 400 degrees.
Install new seals under both sides of each panel and replace them every few years when they start getting brittle
Don’t clean garage doors with bleach-based cleaners. They break down the rubber seals and weaken/damage them.
Whether you need to weatherstrip your garage door is a question that many people know but still can’t answer. Essentially, weatherstripping keeps heat in during cold months and prevents outside air from entering your home through cracks and drafts at the base of garage doors. If you have a brick or stucco house, the door to your attached garage is most likely cement and sitting directly on the ground close to the rest of the foundation of your home. This makes it more susceptible to damage than an insulated garage door which acts as a buffer between them.
A quick fix for damaged weatherstripping would be to just install new seals under both sides of each panel and replace them every few years when they start getting brittle. Even that’s optional if you don’t mind the draft or spending extra money on your energy bill. However, many homeowners find that weatherstrip installation is a quick fix for a long-term problem because it lowers monthly utility bills, prevents water from collecting in the door tracks, and eliminates dirt and debris from entering your home.
This project can be done by yourself but if you aren’t very handy or have a lot of time to spare then this is one of those projects that is best left to the professionals who won’t charge a ton of money for it.
You should do whichever one is cheaper and easier to install first so that the rest of your job will go smoother.
However, if both options are similar in price or cost more, you might want to consult a professional for installation advice before proceeding with either project.
If your garage door is still in good condition then you won’t need to replace it. However, if you want to make some changes or are just tired of looking at the same old thing every time you park your car in the garage, then replacing it will give you a chance to upgrade both the look and feel of your home for a low cost. Replacing your door will also require less weatherstrip installation since you’re already doing so much work to get it ready for a new one, and any new panels aren’t as likely to be affected by damage from the elements provided that you make sure both sides are properly protected.
As long as there is no noticeable damage to your garage door then you can just add weatherstripping to the bottom of it and replace it when needed. If your door has visible damage or is old enough that replacement won’t be necessary for quite a long time, you’ll want to consider replacing it because garage doors tend to last about 15 years before needing any major repairs. The average lifespan of a garage door is 15 years with some lasting as long as 20. That means that replacing your door now will give you a new one for less than the cost of what it would take to get it repaired later.
Changes in temperature force wooden garage doors to expand and contract, which can cause damage to them in two ways. First, if your door has windows then hot air will cause them to expand which can eventually crack the wood. Second, if your door has metal latches it will be forced open and closed many times throughout a single day. This can cause damage from the strength needed for this motion combined with wear-and-tear on the opening and closing actions themselves.
The weatherstripping that is used for weatherproofing garage doors stops water from getting into your home by filling in the cracks and holes between the door and frame on the outside of your house. It can also help keep cold air out during colder months when it expands as it freezes. Considering how easy this project is to complete, along with both the positive effects you’ll enjoy from it and the low cost of buying the materials, weatherstripping is definitely one of the best home improvement projects you can do on your own.
If you plan to replace your garage door then I recommend that you install new weatherstripping before installing a new door. This will help ensure that there aren’t any air or water leaks in your door tracks that could cause damage from moisture or cracked panels. If you do the opposite of this and install weatherstripping after installing a new garage door, water and air may still get into your home undetected which can still lead to these same results.
The most common form of garage door weather stripping is foam strips that run vertically along the bottom and sides of the door. These are easy to install since there is minimal cutting involved, but they also tend to wear out more easily than other types.
If you live in a climate that has extreme weather then you might want to use metal instead of foam because it will last longer and be less susceptible to damage from temperature changes. If your garage has windows you’ll need to use a strip that prevents water from leaking through the cracks. The most common type of weatherstripping for this is sealant specifically designed for insulating glass. If your door opens vertically then I recommend using a strip with soft material on top and a rubber pad underneath so it doesn’t damage your car if it knocks against it.
The process of determining whether or not you need to weatherstrip your door is easy, but many factors can influence the quality of your home repair project. One important factor is whether or not your garage uses a window as part of the door itself. If it does then I recommend replacing the old foam strips with a metal one. Another factor is what type of weatherstripping materials you already have available, which will make a difference in how easy it is to complete the project or whether or not you’ll need to purchase replacement strips. Finally, if you live in an area with extreme weather then you’ll want to ensure that your door has been properly sealed to prevent any water from getting into your home.
If you live in an area where weatherstripping is a vital part of the home improvement process then I recommend using a metal strip that comes with either foam or silicone attached to it. This will provide extra protection, help lower energy costs, and make sound insulation easier to install. If you’re building a new home then I recommend that you install a high-quality door from the very beginning. This will help ensure that you don’t have to deal with the extra expenses or inconvenience of finding and replacing weatherstripping in the future.
You’ll find more information about garage door repair by visiting some of my other pages including how to insulate garage doors, how to install garage door weatherstripping, and where to get the best price on garage doors.
Overall, weatherstripping is another of the most important home improvement projects that you can do since it’ll protect your investment from damage by keeping bugs out and making both heatings and cooling more efficient. This will help prevent wear-and-tear and lower your energy costs, which saves you money in both the short and long term.
When choosing a type of weatherstripping for your door then I recommend checking out this page. It has some great tips that’ll help you not only decide what to use for your project but also make sound investments when it comes to protecting your home.
The most important thing to consider when weatherstripping your garage door is whether or not you need it. Most people are tempted to skip this step and end up with a damaged door that’s more susceptible to water damage, so if you’re in the market for a new door then I recommend visiting my page on how to install garage doors.
Pros On Call is a great service that provides garage door installation and repair services. They can also help recommend the best type of weatherstripping for your door.