Keeping your garage weather-tight is crucial for protecting your belongings as well as the structure itself. Drafts, moisture, pests, and extreme temperatures can all wreak havoc if allowed to infiltrate under the garage door. Fortunately, there are several effective and affordable ways to weather-seal your garage door and prevent unwanted elements from sneaking in.
Use Garage Door Weather Stripping
One of the easiest and most effective ways to seal your garage door against weather is to install weather stripping. Weather stripping creates a tight seal along the edges of the door that keeps out drafts, moisture, and pests. For garage doors, you’ll want to use vinyl, rubber, or brushed weather stripping that is flexible enough to move when the door is operated. Apply weather stripping along the top, bottom, and sides of the garage door, replacing any worn or damaged stripping to ensure full coverage.
Caulk Around the Door Frame
Another key area for sealing up air leaks is by caulking around the entire garage door frame. This fills in any cracks or gaps between the frame and the wall that can allow outside air to penetrate into the garage. Use a high-quality exterior caulk and apply a continuous bead all the way around the inside of the frame, smoothing it with your finger or a caulking tool. Your door frame should form an airtight barrier after caulking.
Add a Garage Door Threshold Seal
An often overlooked area for weatherizing is beneath the garage door itself. To seal this gap, install a threshold seal along the ground underneath the garage door. Threshold seals fill the space underneath and feature a flexible vinyl, rubber, or brush material to form a tight seal between the ground and door. Make sure to get a threshold seal that matches the width of your garage door opening.
Insulate the Garage Door
Replacing or adding insulation to your garage door can greatly improve its weather resistance and energy efficiency. Uninsulated doors and older doors with damaged insulation allow substantial air infiltration. Installing new foam insulation panels on your garage door helps regulate interior temperatures in hot and cold months. Steel and aluminum garage doors benefit the most from added insulation.
Keep the Garage Door Well Maintained
One of the simplest ways to weatherize your garage is by keeping the door components in good working condition. A sagging or damaged door can undermine weather stripping and seals. Ensure the door operates smoothly by lubricating the rollers and tracks. Keep the garage door opener in good repair and make sure the sensor is properly aligned. Avoid storing items near the door path and tidy clutter. Doing regular garage door maintenance prevents many weatherizing issues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weather-Sealing a Garage Door
Where should weather stripping be applied on a garage door?
Weather stripping should be applied along the top, bottom, and sides of a garage door to fully seal it. Anywhere the door makes contact with the frame should be weather-stripped.
What kind of caulk is best for the garage door frame?
An exterior-grade silicone or latex caulk is best for caulking around the garage door frame. These are flexible and adhere well to various surfaces.
What size threshold seal do I need for my garage door?
Measure the width of your garage door opening to determine the size threshold seal you need. Get the size threshold seal that closest matches your opening width.
Should insulation be added to an uninsulated garage door?
Yes, adding insulation to an uninsulated garage door greatly improves its weather resistance. Foam insulation kits can easily be added to upgrade most garage doors.
How often should weather stripping be replaced on a garage door?
Plan to replace your garage door’s weather stripping about once every 2-3 years or whenever you notice it becoming cracked, brittle, or no longer forming a good seal.
What maintenance helps keep a garage door weather-tight?
Lubricating rollers/tracks, realigning sensors, fixing sagging or damaged components, and clearing obstructions near the door all help keep a garage door sealed against weather.
Conclusion
Protecting your garage interior and vehicles from harsh outside weather is easy with a few key weather-sealing tips. Maintaining garage door weather stripping, caulking the frame, adding a threshold seal, insulating the door, and doing regular maintenance will greatly reduce unwanted drafts, moisture, and extreme temperatures from entering your garage space. Properly weatherizing your garage door provides huge benefits for only a small time investment. Follow these simple sealing techniques for garage door weatherization success.