How to Seal Garage Door Sides and Top
Homeowners, especially if you recently bought an older home, must know how to seal garage door sides and top. Some older homes may not have received regular garage door maintenance and the weather stripping protecting them from the elements may need replacing. Newer homes may already have weather stripping applied, but an initial garage door inspection is always recommended.
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Over time, garage doors repair is required because of normal wear and tear. For example, the weather stripping can crack or disappear altogether; a garage door off track is another common garage door problem that new homeowners should look for.
Properly applied seals close the gaps and protect the garage from outside pests and the elements.
Other benefits of a well-sealed garage are a cleaner and quieter space, better temperature control, and intruders.
A weather seal must be high quality, sturdy vinyl wrapped around the top, bottom, and sides of your door. The goal is a tight fit with an excellent seal eliminating gaps anywhere along with the door. A good installation is essential for a lasting repair that performs well for years to come.
An important note about the installation is the surface preparation. It needs a good cleaning, so foreign material will not interfere with the installation and create an even surface. Take the time to get this right because the success of the garage door seal depends on a clean and smooth surface.
The Benefits of Weather Stripping a Garage Door
Homeowners will have different uses for their garage space; while parking the car for the night is the norm, there several other ways to use the extra space.
Canadian homeowners convert their garages into work-from-home offices, a gym, or even an extra bedroom. But when they’re cold and drafty, those dreams quickly disappear.
Replacing and upgrading the garage door seal has economical benefits like keeping heating and cooling costs down, which means energy savings besides the added living and storage space. Remember, garage doors are heavy, and after years of use, will cause damage that means cause bodily harm if repair is not handled by a trained professional.
The garage door seal also acts as a cushion for friction caused by constant opening and closing of the door, which preserves their operational condition. Proper garage door installation and maintenance will minimize the need for replacement, as well as avoid the added cost of refinishing headers and jambs.
The key is to check the garage door seal regularly and test how well it shields the elements. For example, if you have concerns about the garage door’s existing steal, on a sunny day with the door closed, turn off all the lights inside the garage and look for daylight around the top, sides, and bottom of the door when looking from the inside out. Any daylight coming through is the area to concentrate on sealing first.
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How to Seal Garage Doors
Below is a list describing how to seal garage doors. It’s simple to work, but attention to detail is essential. As we said, starting with a clean and smooth surface makes the job easier and will result in better performance.
You can use the same seal for the top as the sides, but one option is a top seal made for doors that may perform better. When you purchase the side seals, a top seal might be a better solution for your particular application.
Clean and smooth out the surface before you seal the garage door sides and top.
Garage weatherstripping typically has a wide side. The wide side must always lightly make contact with the garage door, while the short side seats smoothly on the frame.
- Align and nail one end of the strip to the frame
- After the first nail a staple in four evenly spaced places
- Use another nail and continue this process until the end; always begin and end with a nail instead of a staple
- When you reach the bottom of the door, trim the strip at an angle; leave a tail long enough to seal the gap under the frame
- Repeat the process on the other side
- Use the same process for the top of the door by starting with a nail at one end and staples at every four evenly spaced places, then a nail on the opposite end
- At each side of the door, trim the strip so it doesn’t overlap
- Carefully check your work; look for properly trimmed pieces and confirm the seal is working by going inside the garage with the lights off and look for any light shining through around the door
- Repair any areas that may show signs of a gap
If you’re the owner of an old home with a garage door that has not received regular maintenance, then contact Dodds Garage Doors today! We offer 24/7 garage door repair by professionally-trained technicians. For more info about garage door repair, call Dodds at 1-877-503-6337