“Garage seals can add to your personal bottom line,
helping keep dirt, water and unwanted pests out and heat in.”
Garage door seals provide a barrier to dirt, water and unwanted pests. The bottom seal, threshold seal, weather stripping and garage door insulation each have their own purpose.
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M-D Building Products 3749 Garage Door Bottom Rubber, 16 Feet, Black Link to buy at Amazon.com |
Garage Door Bottom Seal
The first and likely the most common type of seal is thegarage door bottom seal. When you open your garage door, you should see a well maintained piece of vinyl or rubber attached to the bottom of the door and it should run from one edge of the garage bottom to the other. If your bottom seal is torn, damaged or missing altogether, it’s time for a replacement.
The most inexpensive varieties are simply stapled or nailed to the bottom of the garage door and eventually break down or tear away from their points of attachment. As an alternative to nailing and/or stapling, some companies offer two-part seals with an aluminum track and an inserted vinyl strip of insulation. Insulated garage doors usually come with the track installed as an integrated part of the door.
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Sensible Solutions 3016 Storm Shield 16-Foot Garage Door Threshold Link to buy at Amazon.com |
Garage Door Threshold Seals
Floor mounted garage door thresholds tend to be tougher and longer lasting than garage door bottom seals. When installed properly using an industrial strength adhesive, threshold seals are very effective at locking out blowing leaves and snow, dirt and water.
They are also a valuable deterrent to unwanted visitors such as mice, snakes and other pesky varmints.
Garage door threshold seals are quick and easy to install with sizes to fit any garage and complementary colors to match your garage floor (generally gray or brown).
Many companies sell threshold seals as a “kit” with a proper adhesive included. The most common sizes are 8 foot and 16 foot lengths for 1 car and 2 car garage doors.
Garage Door Weather Stripping
Another easily installed and effective garage door seal is weather stripping (see photo at bottom of page). Much like what you will find on your home’s entry doors, garage door weather stripping attaches along the jambs (the vertical sides) and the header (across the top) of the garage door.
Most weather stripping kits consist of plastic and/or vinyl pieces that attach using nails or screws. When garage door weather stripping is properly installed it will provide a seal between the jambs and header and the face of your garage door. The flexible nature of this product will allow your garage door to open and close without obstruction, but still keep the air, dust and water out.
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Garage Door Insulation
If you don’t already have an insulated garage door, adding garage door insulation can pay big dividends. From reflective foil to fiberglass panels, polystyrene foam panels and spray foam, your options are numerous.
Benefits include better climate control in the garage, lower home heating and cooling costs and less noise intrusion into your home. Installation can be done by do-it-yourselfers or by professional contractors.
With a little advance planning, this is a relatively easy do-it-yourself task that almost anyone can do. Learn more about garage door insulation.
Garage Door Seals – So Many Benefits!
When garage seals are properly installed, you can expect to have a warmer garage in the winter and a cooler one in the summer. With energy costs on the rise, properly installed garage seals can add to your personal bottom line, especially if your garage is attached to your home. Certain types of garage heaters are also more efficient when the garage is properly sealed.
Some additional benefits include:
- A Cleaner Garage with Less Blowing Dirt
- Lower Heating and Cooling Bills for those with an attached garage
- Longer Garage Door Life due to cushioned closing surface
- Minimizes Damage To Your Concrete from years of repetitive garage door closing
- Dryer Garage and less moisture or rust damage to your tools and other stored items
- Quick and Easy Installation
- Long Lasting
- More Comfortable Work or Recreation Space
- Easier to Heat
Installing Garage Door Weather Stripping Can Yield Big Benefits
Garage Door Seals – Related Links
How To Install Garage Door Weather Stripping
How To Install Garage Door Threshold Seals
How To Install a Garage Door Bottom Seal
Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors
Benefits of Installing Garage Door Insulation