Weatherproofing your garage door is done by installing weatherproof stripping, typically either vinyl or rubber. This not only keeps the weather elements out. It also keeps other unwanted fluff, like dirt, debris, bugs, or even small rodents out. Most garage doors will be installed with some weatherproofing already attached, but this can wear out over time. If you notice any dirt, leaves, or water is making its way inside, it would be a good idea to check the current weather stripping. You need to make sure it is getting a good seal. If you do need to replace it, there are a few options available to you.
Our techs with Straight Up Garage Doors are here to help you. They help homeowners determine what they need install it. This makes the process as simple as possible for homeowners.
Garage Door Bottom Seal
The Garage Door Bottom Seal is exactly what it sounds like – a strip of rubber or vinyl that attaches to the bottom of the garage door. It creates a seal with the garage floor when the door is closed. You know you need to replace it if you can see light coming in between the strip and the floor. Most metal garage doors have a long channel along their bottom edge that the weather stripping slides into. This makes replacing this strip straightforward.
Garage Door Threshold Seal
Much like the bottom seal, the Garage Door Threshold Seal is a strip of rubber or vinyl to create a seal with the bottom of the door and the floor. Instead of attaching to the garage door itself, the threshold seal attaches to the floor. This can be used on its own or together with the bottom seal. This type of seal is especially helpful when the driveway slopes down toward the garage to keep excess water out of the garage. If you like to hose out your garage every once in a while, keep in mind that this type of seal will also prevent water from getting out.
Door Stop Weather Stripping
Wind and rain are sneaky about getting into your garage. They are not limited to just the bottom of the door. They can also creep in through the top and sides of your garage door. This is why garage doors typically have some vinyl or rubber stripping installed along the door stop against the door jamb and nearly touching the outside surface of the garage door. Some newer doorstops even have this built into them, so they are installed together in one simple step.
Door Panel Weather Stripping
One last place to check for weatherproofing is between the panels of the garage door. While newer metal and fiberglass doors typically are designed to prevent airflow from coming in this way, some older style doors and wooden doors may be vulnerable here. This type of weather stripping is sold in long rolls and is attached with an adhesive to the top or bottom of edge of each panel. As the door closes, the strip is compressed between the panels giving a tight seal.
