You step out into the garage. The door is closed, and so are the windows. So, why do you feel a draft? On closer inspection, you find that it’s stronger near the door. What is going on?
The problem is simple: your garage door weatherstripping needs to be replaced.
Having a weathertight garage door comes down to more than just a good R-value. Yes, the R-value is an important factor, but there’s so much more going on here.
There’s a gap on the left, right, and bottom of the door, and the weatherstripping is designed to fill those holes and create a solid seal.
Want to save resources and money? Replace your weatherstripping.
In this post, we’ll cover 4 different types of weatherstripping and what you need to know about each so it’s easier to identify the problem.
Weather Seals Under Your Garage Door
The most common weatherstripping to suffer damage is the piece attached to the bottom of your garage door. Most are made from 2 pieces – a support made of either PVC or aluminum, and a U-shaped rubber piece.
In most cases, the rubber segment is the issue. It can dry out, crack, and tear.
The good news is that it’s easy to check. Just raise your door and you can tell if the rubber is still pliable or if it’s hardened, cracked, and dried.
With that being said, your garage door’s bottom weatherstripping may look different from that on other doors. Here’s a quick rundown of what different styles can look like.
This weatherstripping is the most likely to be changed. The bottom weatherstripping is usually made of 2 pieces: a PVC or aluminum support and a rubber strip. Most problems often come from the rubber portion, which can be damaged or too rigid, no longer remaining flexible.
It’s also not uncommon for bottom weather seals to suffer from damage when water accumulates under them. If the threshold isn’t sloped to prevent water ingress, or if the concrete is damaged, this could be a problem for your home.
That’s particularly true in the winter when freezing temperatures can make the door freeze to the concrete. When you try to open it, it rips the weatherstripping, and can even damage the electric garage door opener.
There’s good news if this is your situation. One option is to use sand. Spread it under the door to prevent it from contacting water. However, this isn’t a permanent fix. Once the sand is soaked through, it’ll freeze just like the water.
As a note, avoid adding salt. It can cause the rubber to degrade even faster. Instead, use calcium and a water-based lubricant to deglaze the cement and waterproof the rubber.
Another option is to use a Storm Shield threshold. This allows you to create an artificial seal under the door and a steeper slope that will help repel water away from the threshold. seal under your door. You can also use this product if your concrete is damaged and old.
Weather Seals Around the Sides of Your Garage Door
The bottom of the door is the most common area for weatherstripping damage. However, we cannot forget about the sides.
If the door was not correctly sized during installation, it could cause wear as it opens and closes. The weatherstripping here could be torn or flattened.
Your garage door does not sit behind the wall – it rides up and down within a cut-out inside the wall. There are gaps on each side and the weatherstripping is meant to seal those.
Like the bottom weatherstripping, this one uses a piece of rubber, as well as PVC or aluminum supports. PVC is used more with light-colored doors because darker PVC absorbs too much heat from sun exposure, leading to warping and shrinking. Aluminum doesn’t have that problem, although it may occasionally oxidize.
Prolonged sun exposure will also age the rubber weather seal. This can cause it to crack and degrade. You’ll notice this more around the jambs than anywhere else.
Upper Weatherstripping of Your Garage Door
There’s a 3rd type of weatherstripping, albeit not one you’ll find on many residential garages: upper weatherstripping.
It’s also called header weatherstripping and you’re more likely to find it in commercial applications.
The only real instance when you might want upper weatherstripping on a residential garage door is if you’re using it as a shop or work area. In this instance, you’ll want header weatherstripping to combat temperature-related shifts in the door’s structure.
When one side of the door is warm and the other is cold, it may bend, creating a gap at the top that allows air in or out. Heated metal expands and cold metal contracts, so doors usually bend toward the cold side. Header weatherstripping helps prevent temperature loss from that bending.
In most cases, weatherstripping along the top of a residential door won’t be necessary unless the garage is used as a workshop and/or needs to be kept very warm during the winter months.
Wish that you had header weatherstripping? It can be installed right now. Garage doors allow parts to be changed individually, so you can always upgrade.
Just work with a local garage door specialist to ensure the installation is done correctly. The same thing applies to repairs to any of the weatherstripping we’ve talked about thus far – work with a local specialist.
Do you like the Modern Style? This garage door is a Moderno SSG design, in 12'x 8' size, Black Ice color, with a window layout named Left-side Harmony.
What about replacing the weatherstripping on your own? It can be done but take care. Make sure you have the right tools and materials. You should also make sure you’re very familiar with the process.
Understand that almost all weatherstripping problems can be traced back to incorrect installation. With a pro, you can count on your weatherstripping lasting around 30 years, but DIY replacement could mean it will fail in just a couple of months.
That’s why we always recommend professional repairs and installation.
Your Garage Door Intersectional Weather Seals
Finally, we come to our fourth type – the seal between door sections themselves.
This seal is part of the door itself, so if it fails, you’ll need to replace the entire garage door!
If you want a great example, check out the InterlokTM joint design from Garaga. It features 3 points of contact to help prevent wind, light, and water from getting through.
How can you tell if your seals are still good? Take a single piece of notebook paper and try to slip it between the door panels. If it slips through, your seals are damaged, and the door needs to be replaced.
Extending Your Garage Door Weatherstripping’s Life
Want to make sure that your weatherstripping holds up for a long time? It’s pretty simple. You need to clean it once or twice per year.
Rinse away dirt and dust that can become abrasive and damaging and wipe it down to remove mold or mildew that might be accumulating. A little silicone-based lube will keep it protected in between cleanings.
We also recommend that you perform a deeper clean every now and then with a good PVC cleaner. Once it’s clean, dry it, and then use your silicone-based lubricant to protect it again. There are many options of weatherstrip lubricants on the market.
Please note that you should NEVER use petroleum-based oil or other products. It can attack the polymers in the rubber, accelerating decay and making your rubber brittle and prone to damage.
In the end, it just takes a little TLC to keep your weatherstripping in good shape.
And when the time comes to replace it, contact us. We’ll make sure the replacement is done correctly.
What If There’s More Than Damaged Weatherstripping?
If you’re dealing with a more substantial problem than damaged weatherstripping, call us at 1-877-702-3338.
We know garage doors inside out and we’ll provide all the advice and guidance you need to get a new one installed. Yes, we know that it can be an overwhelming situation, but there’s help and hope!
We at Cliff's Overhead Doors believe it is our responsibility to make things as simple and easy as possible. Give us a call. Come down to the showroom. Or even request a quotation via email.
We can even help if you’re unsure what your home’s architectural style might be. Use our 3 styles to home in on the ideal garage door to augment your home’s style and design.
We also recommend taking a tour of our Design Centre. Not only will you build your garage door in a few click, but you’ll be able to try your favorite ones on a picture of your house.
Add new comment