While your garage door works as the primary barrier between your vehicle and the outside world, it can often be the weakest link in your home’s defense against weather and pests. From chilly drafts to unwanted critters, an unsealed garage door can let in all sorts of unwelcome guests. Therefore, it is crucial to weatherproof your garage door to maintain a comfortable and secure environment within your garage. This article will guide you through the entire process of sealing your garage door, starting from the basics of weatherproofing to the types of seals you can use.
Understanding the Importance of Garage Door Sealing
The first step towards weatherproofing your garage door is understanding its importance. An unsealed garage door allows the elements to invade your garage, leading to cold drafts during the winter and a surge of pests and rodents. These intruders can not only damage your garage and its contents but also can inflate your energy bills due to heat loss. Therefore, whether your garage is used for parking your car or as an additional living space, it’s essential to seal it properly to maintain a comfortable temperature and prevent pest infestations.
Assessing Your Garage Door
Before you begin the sealing process, it’s important to assess the current state of your garage door. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as gaps or cracks around the door, especially at the bottom, sides, and top. If you notice any light seeping through when the door is closed, it indicates that your garage door needs to be sealed. Besides, if your garage door doesn’t have a seal, or the existing one is deteriorating, it’s a clear sign that weatherproofing is required.
Types of Garage Door Seals
When it comes to garage door seals, there are several types to choose from. These include:
- Bottom Seal: This type of seal is attached to the bottom edge of the garage door and provides a barrier against weather and pests. It should be checked regularly for wear and tear and replaced if needed.
- Threshold Seal: The threshold seal sits on the garage floor and helps seal the door, especially when the door doesn’t meet the floor evenly.
- Top Seal: The top seal targets the gap at the top of the garage door and ensures it’s sealed even when the door is fully closed.
- Weather Stripping: This type of seal is installed on the frame of the garage door to bring the frame closer to the door itself, sealing it against the elements.
- V-Seals: These seals are used to span the cracks in a paneled garage door, sealing them against wind or rain.
Each type of seal has its specific installation process and benefits, which will be discussed in the following sections.
Sealing the Bottom of Your Garage Door
The bottom seal is an important line of defense for your garage door. When your garage door closes, the bottom seal conforms to the shape of the floor, providing a barrier against the elements. However, these seals can deteriorate over time and need to be replaced. The process involves removing the old seal, feeding the new seal into the door’s grooves, trimming any excess, and securing it with screws. It’s essential to check the bottom seal once a year for wear and tear. If it appears torn or has holes, it’s time to replace it.
Installing a Threshold Seal
A threshold seal is a great solution when your garage door doesn’t meet the floor evenly. This type of seal sits on the floor of the garage and helps seal the door. To install a threshold seal, you’ll need to measure the width of the garage entrance and cut the seal to size. Then, mark the desired position of the seal, apply a construction adhesive to the floor, and firmly press the seal over the adhesive. Allow the glued seal to dry for 24 hours before disturbing it with a vehicle.
Adding a Top Seal to Your Garage Door
The top of the garage door can be a tricky area to seal due to the way the door retreats into the garage. However, a brush-style top seal can effectively seal this gap. To install a top seal, clean the top I-beam of the garage, apply double-sided tape to the lengths of the top seal, and press the seals into the I-beam. The brush seals should graze the door of the garage in its closed position for maximum effectiveness.
Weather Stripping Your Garage Door
Weather stripping is a useful method to seal the frame of your garage door. This process involves removing any raised wood strips from the frame, measuring and cutting the weather stripping to size, installing the stripping with nails or screws, and caulking the stripping to the door frame. The weather stripping should sit as flush as possible with the frame for the best results.
Applying V-Seals to Your Garage Door
V-seals are effective for sealing the cracks between the panels of your garage door. To apply V-seals, measure the width of your garage door, cut enough V-seals to length, and apply them with the self-adhesive. Ensure the seals are pressed and secured completely. Keep in mind that V-seals may deteriorate quickly with heavy garage door usage, so check their condition regularly.
Final Thoughts
Weatherproofing your garage door is a simple yet crucial task that can significantly enhance your home’s comfort and security. By properly sealing your garage door, you can keep pests and inclement weather at bay, reduce energy bills, and extend the life of your garage door. So, don’t overlook the importance of a well-sealed garage door and take the necessary steps to ensure it’s adequately sealed. If this article didn’t help you, you can read more about it here or here.
