Time to weatherstrip! Installing the right product on your garage door can help you take care of the structure while also making it a more comfortable place to spend time. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Install Garage Door Weather Stripping?
Weatherstripping serves many purposes. Properly installed, weather stripping can stop rain, snow and pests from entering the garage. Weatherstripping also makes it easier to control the internal temperature and humidity.
When Should You Weather Strip?
You can weather strip your garage door at any point, but the best time of year is before or after summer. It’s during this season when extreme temperatures can cause the garage to become a very uncomfortable place. Installing weather stripping before the most extreme weather happens can make the garage a more functional space where you can more easily get work done.
What Type of Weather Stripping Should You Install?
Look for two types of weather stripping to install on your garage door:
1. Rubber Perimeter Strip
The rubber perimeter strip comes in long rolls that can be cut down to any length. This perimeter strip is installed along both sides and the top of the garage door. One edge of the seal is nailed to the door frame, while the other edge sits against the door. The seal is creased lengthwise down the middle, so it can mold itself to the door frame and door.
2. U-shaped Bottom Weather Seal
The U-shaped seal fits on the bottom of the door. Its purpose is to close gaps between the door and the concrete.
This seal slides into a channel on the door’s underside. To remove the old seal, simply open the door partway, then slide the seal out on one side or the other. To install the new seal, insert the edges of the seal into the channels beneath the door, and slide the seal into place.
How Long Does Weather Stripping Last?
Some types of weather stripping last longer than others. Good quality weather stripping can last two years or longer, while poor quality weather stripping may need to be replaced every year. Check your weather stripping in the spring and fall for signs of problems. Look for:
- Cracks in the stripping
- Gaps between the door and the frame
- Areas where the weather stripping is falling off or pulling away from the garage
You can also tell when the weather stripping needs to be replaced by standing in your garage with the lights off. If the weather stripping needs replacement, you’ll be able to see daylight around the edges of the door.
Want Help? Contact a Garage Door Contractor!
You don’t have to weather strip the garage door on your own. If you don’t feel comfortable doing the work yourself, contact a garage door contractor for help. At Oklahoma City Overhead Door, we’re happy to help you with this task and other garage door maintenance procedures. Contact us today for help.
