What You Need to Know About Garage Weatherstripping

Your garage door helps to defend your home against bad weather, dust, debris, and unwanted critters. How well your garage door is sealed off can also significantly impact your utility bills, especially during the height of winter and summer. Installing garage door weatherstripping can go a long way in protecting your garage from the elements and keeping its contents secure all year. As you read ahead, you’ll learn the ins and outs of garage weatherstripping, which will help you figure out which products are suitable for your home.

Garage door weather stripping is typically made of rubber or vinyl and lines the top, bottom, and edges of your garage door or garage door frame. The primary purpose of garage weather stripping is to cover the gaps between the door and frame to prevent air from entering or escaping. Weatherstripping also helps with the overall stability of your garage door. 

• Energy Efficiency: Insulating your garage door can help maintain a consistent temperature in your garage, which can improve energy efficiency in your home. Insulation strips can reduce heat loss during the winter and keep your garage cooler during the summer.
• Rain Protection: It also helps protect against excessive rain and minor flooding. Weatherstripping can act as the last line of defense as standing water tries to seep into your garage during a flood. If this happens during the winter, the water that does make it into your garage door can quickly turn to ice, damaging your possessions. 
• Noise Reduction: If you use your garage for a workspace, gym, or anything else, adding insulation strips to your garage door can help reduce the amount of noise that travels into and out of the garage. Insulation strips can help block outside noises like traffic and lawnmowers, as well as reduce the sound of your garage door opening and closing.
• Improved Durability: Insulation strips can help protect your garage door from damage caused by weather and temperature changes. Extreme temperatures can cause your garage door to expand and contract, which can lead to damage over time. Insulation strips can help prevent this and extend the life of your garage door.
• Increased Comfort: Adding insulation strips to your garage door can make spending time in your garage more comfortable. You can use your garage for hobbies, working out, or even as an extra living space, and insulation strips can help make the temperature more comfortable.
• Protect the Ground and Door: Another thing that garage door bottom seals protect is the lower edge of the door because it keeps it from scraping against the floor, preventing damage and lessening wear and tear on both the door and the ground. 
• Cost Savings: By improving energy efficiency, insulation strips can help reduce your energy bills. You won't need to use as much energy to heat or cool your garage, which can lead to long-term savings on your utility bills. Additionally, by extending the life of your garage door, insulation strips can help you save money on repairs and replacements.

There are five common kinds of weatherstripping for garage doors. Below you can learn about each and find out the best option for your home. 

1. Garage Door Bottom Seals or Door Sweeps - These are long strips of rubber or vinyl that attach to the bottom edge of your garage door by way of a steel, PVC, or aluminum retainer. When the door is closed, the stripping compresses against the floor to create a tight seal that helps keep water, dirt, debris, hot/cold air, and pests out. On wooden doors, garage door bottom seals are usually nailed directly to the lower edge of the door rather than attached to a retainer. Along with weather stripping on the bottom of the garage door, side and top seals are connected to the remaining jamb around the garage entrance.
2. Garage Door Threshold Seals - Garage door threshold seals are attached directly to the floor of your garage rather than the door itself. They can be used by themselves or in addition to a bottom seal. Threshold seals are usually made from rubber, vinyl, or aluminum and are attached using strong adhesive or concrete screws. Threshold seals are common when a driveway slopes down towards the garage door opening because they can keep more water out of your garage than just weatherstripping alone. They can also be very effective for filling large gaps underneath your door or leveling out an uneven garage entrance. One drawback to garage door threshold seals is that they can make it harder to hose out or sweep out your garage because the water or dirt can get trapped along the seal.
3. Garage Door Stop Weatherstripping - These are the rubber or vinyl door insulation strips attached to the wooden door molding on the garage door jamb. The flap on the molding presses against the closed garage door to create a tight seal around the top and sides, which drastically helps keep the elements out.
4. Garage Door Stops with Integrated Weatherstripping - Typically made from vinyl, these products combine a wood-look molding strip with a flexible, weathertight flange. They’re an excellent option for older doors with stops that need to be completely replaced and updated with more durable insulation.
5. Garage Door Panel Weatherstripping - This type of weather stripping seals the gaps between individual panels when your garage door is closed. They’re generally made from a more flexible type of rubber and are V-shaped to create a tight, even seal. While most newer doors have interlocking edges to prevent air loss, many older wooden garage doors have flat-edged panels that need weather stripping to keep the elements out.

Garage door weather stripping will become dry and brittle over time, leading to cracking. If it gets bad enough, it may fall off entirely. It’s important to replace weatherstripping when you spot damage since it’s usually a low-cost repair with many benefits.

You should check your weather stripping at least twice a year, preferably at the beginning of summer and winter, because of the extreme temperatures each season can bring. To start, close the door and examine the top, bottom, and side weather stripping. Can you feel air coming into the garage around the stripping or see light coming in from outside? Are there any missing sections or sections that have cracking or flaking? Take note of anything that looks out of the ordinary. 

Garage door seal replacement is a key part of the overall maintenance process for your garage door and helps to ensure the longest lifespan possible. To ensure a tight, consistent seal, be sure to replace entire sections of weather stripping at the same time, even if only a small portion is affected.

If you are in the South Florida area and need an inspection or replacement of your weatherstripping, Door Gators is here to help. Call us for a quote, and we’ll get one of our talented technicians out to your home quickly.