Garages are integral parts of homes and many commercial properties which use varying garage door types while constructing garages there. But using the right type of garage will not suffice to insulate it from outer element intrusion. So, if you are concerned about weather-stripping your garage entrance, you should consider fixing a door bottom seal.
Garage door bottom seals come in various shapes and sizes made from different materials. Each type of garage door bottom seal has its advantages and disadvantages, which homeowners should consider to ensure that they select the right one for their parking space.
While some are quite simple, you may find others pretty complex. But only the right one can help keep out water, bugs, grass, and dirt from entering your garage. This article discusses the different types of garage door seals and their features. So, read on to reach the right one for your garage setup.
Different Types of Garage Door Bottom Seals
Some homeowners tend to underestimate the importance of garage seals to cut costs. Nevertheless, it is crucial to weather-seal your parking space against damaging elements such as heavy rain, wind, hail, and snow.
Weatherstripping is an excellent way to save you the stress of regular cleaning and likely damages that could ruin or leave awful stains on garage floors. These products are attached to the bottom edge of garage doors.
It emerges as a long flexible strip of vinyl or rubber that compresses when you shut the door, closing the gap between the door and floor.
Some common types of garage door bottom seals include:
The bulb-shaped bottom seal
The circular-shaped bottom is a peculiar feature of this door bottom seal, and it has a sizable T-shape at its top. It is one of the best garage door bottom seals useful for single-channel retainers. Hence, it allows the seal to spread out and push upwards on uneven cemented floors.
The Beaded bottom seal
Beaded garage door bottom seals come in handy for double-channel retainers having circular grooves. The two sides of the strip are bent, facing upwards, and fit into the circular grooves. You can find the beads averting water flow into the garage from beneath the seal.
The T-shaped bottom seal
T-type garage door bottom seals seem pretty simple, having an inverted “T,” and are used alongside single-channel retainers. A T-shaped garage door bottom seal is worth considering as it provides a more effective barrier against air, water, dirt, and pests compared to traditional seals.
With its unique T-shape design, this seal creates a tighter seal along the bottom of your garage door, preventing drafts and keeping out unwanted elements. One of the main advantages of a T-shaped garage door bottom seal is its ability to save energy.
The J-Type Bottom Seal
The J-type garage door bottom seal appears similar to the T-shaped type but creates two letters (J and S) on both sides when the garage door closes.
A less complex slanted-edged seal with a “strip” design that conceals the door front and the floor is commonly employed for wooden garage doors – roofing nails (usually galvanized or aluminum) are employed for their installation.
At the bottom of most garage doors made from metal is an aluminum channel with a U-shaped rubber gasket, also known as an astragal or T-style seal. You would find the gasket slotting in two small tracks on the channel during installation.
The best thing about U-shaped gaskets, aside from their ease of installation, is that they come in various sizes to close spaces of varying measurements.
Irrespective of the material used for constructing the garage door bottom seal, you can find it degrading over time and becoming less effective. If you already have one installed, you can start planning for a “garage door bottom seal replacement” when daylight is visible from the door’s bottom while shut closed.
Other Options for Weather-Sealing Garage Door
When it is to find the right and perfect garage door bottom seal, you should leave no option unexplored. So, here are some more for your lookout.
Garage Door Threshold Seal
The threshold seal is installed in many garages, and attached to the parking space floor. You can find these thresholds standing alone or used alongside another door seal. If you find your property sited in a manner that lets in surface water into the garage, then you should consider fixing the threshold seal.
This piece helps prevent surface water flow into the garage from a steep driveway. One downside to thresholds is that they also prevent water from flowing out of the garage; hence, cleaning processes may seem challenging.
Since it helps fill the space between the door’s bottom and the floor, you may find it tasking to hose out the garage or sweep out dirt. Nevertheless, you can find a way out of such inconvenience and install a durable vinyl threshold for the garage.
Garage Door Stop Weather-stripping
If the sides and top of the garage door have spaces, it would be a sure entry for rain and wind-damaging items stored inside the garage. Not to worry, you can prevent this problem using either a vinyl or rubber weather-stripping material on the door to stop molding.
While most properties have such items in place to prevent external elements from gaining entry into garages, you may find some others lacking those insulations. So, if your garage door lacks weather stripping or the one present is old/damaged that it no longer seals against the door, you need to get one right away.
New weatherstrips are available in rolls; cut to length using a scissor or utility knife. You can fasten them in place using nails or screws. You can create a good seal by pushing the weather-strip door-side rim against the door.
Garage Door Panel Weatherstripping
There are often garage door panels with spaces that expose the parking space to several elements. Thus, most homeowners try to install garage door panel weatherstrips. This piece has a V-shape design and helps conceal those exposed gaps lying between each door panel when installed.
You can check any hardware store if you want to get one for your garage door. These items are sold in rolls and have adhesives that make them easy to fix in place. The simple trick is to stick it to the edges of each panel, either at the bottom or top.
Decrepit wooden doors with flat-edged panels would often have spaces that allow air intrusion. With this weatherstrip, you can create an effective seal as the panels compress it when the door closes.
Vinyl Door Stop
For doors that have old, rotten, or damaged door stops, it is best to consider installing a new door stop molding featured with weatherstripping. This specialty is a fantastic solution normally constructed of vinyl material.
It consists of a single piece with a wood-look molding strip and a flexible weather-seal flange. You can mount it with stainless steel or galvanized siding nails. Since this piece cuts readily with a saw, you can install it with much ease.
It’s usually better to place the top molding first and then overlap its ends with the side stops. Start by placing each piece parallel to the door face. Then, push in the molding in the direction of the door.
Doing so would make the weatherstrip flange to get squashed against the door. Move further to nail the molding to the door jamb.
How to choose the right garage door bottom seal?
When choosing the right garage door bottom seal, there are several factors to consider.
You should begin with considering the weather and climate of the place you live in is essential. The bottom seal acts as a barrier against drafts, pests, and debris, ensuring that your garage remains protected and insulated. Different weather conditions will require different types of seals to effectively combat the elements.
In regions with extreme cold temperatures or heavy snowfall, opting for a bottom seal with a thermal resistance rating is crucial. Conversely, in areas prone to high levels of rain or humidity, selecting a bottom seal that is resistant to water infiltration is vital.
Then, you’ll want to think about the material of the seal. Different materials offer varying levels of durability and weather resistance. PVC seals are a popular choice for their longevity and ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
Another important consideration is the type of installation method. Some bottom seals can be simply glued onto the door, while others require screws or nails for a more secure attachment. The type of installation method will depend on your personal preference and the level of convenience or security you desire.
Lastly, don’t forget to measure your garage door before purchasing a bottom seal. Getting accurate measurements will ensure that you choose a seal that fits snugly along the bottom edge of your door, preventing drafts and keeping out unwanted pests. Taking into account all these factors will allow you to make an informed decision and select the perfect garage door bottom seal for your needs.
FAQs
How can I tell what garage door seal I need?
You can find different types of garage door seals that close the gaps found across different areas of the door, and the one you choose would lie on your needs. Nevertheless, if you consider the exact size that would fit your garage door, you should measure it appropriately.
Kindly get a suitable measuring tool and check the width of the door to determine the length of the bottom seal needed. You might want to check the length of the door panels and door stops to find strips that are sizable enough to fit in.
What is the rubber on the bottom of a garage door called?
The rubber beneath most garage doors that conceals the gap between the door and the floor is known as a door sweep or garage door bottom seal. You would often find this item made from rubber or vinyl materials attached to the edge of the door’s bottom.
Its flexibility causes the seal to compress when the door closes, completely sealing the space and preventing cold breeze, water, critters, and dirt from entering the parking space.
Are all garage seals the same?
While you may find garage door seals sharing a similar task of keeping out debris, water, and other external elements from entering the garage, they are of different types. Some of these seals are attached to the door’s bottom, and others are installed on the sides.
But, here are the common kinds of garage door seals you would find.
- Garage door bottom seal
- Garage door thresholds
- Vinyl door stops
- Weatherstrips for garage door stops
- Garage door panel weatherstrips[/su_list]
Do garage door seals come in different sizes?
Garage door seals are not available in varying shapes but come in different sizes. With varying widths and lengths, you can get appropriate options only after getting the appropriate measurements of your garage door.
How do you fix the bottom seal on a garage door?
Before fixing a new bottom seal for your garage door, it is crucial to get the correct door seal and gather the supplies needed for this project. If there is an old seal in place, remove it first by unscrewing the nuts/bolts holding it.
Clean and prep the door to fit the new seal, and move further to secure the weatherstrip seal at the door’s bottom.
How do you fix the gap at the bottom of a garage door?
Gaps existing between the garage door’s bottom and the floor can serve as an entry point for rain, wind, and dirt. Nevertheless, you can find a cost-effective way to solve this problem and seal the gap completely.
The best thing to do is mount a floor threshold seal or install a bottom seal on the garage door edge. Thus, it is crucial to learn how to seal a garage door bottom and create a barrier that blocks the space.
What is the seal around a garage door called?
Closure materials found around the doors of most parking spaces are known as garage door seals or weatherstripping materials. These items are installed across the four corners of the door to keep insects, critters, dirt, and moisture from entering the garage.
How often should one replace a garage door seal?
Good garage door seals are durable and long-lasting and can serve their purpose for an extended period. Nevertheless, they may start wearing over time and appear less effective. Thus, replacing your garage door seals at least twice within a year is recommended.
This way, those spaces around the door can remain closed, and the parking space can stay free from various external elements.
Do garage door brush seals work?
According to experts, garage door brush seals are 98.5% effective and can withstand extreme weather conditions, including excess heat and cold. The construction of such products makes them work well in exposed environments, preventing the harsh elements from penetrating the garage.
Thus, you remain assured that your car and other items stored within the parking space would be free from likely damages that may occur due to harsh weather conditions.
How do you install a weather seal on a garage door?
Most DIYers are keen on learning how to install weatherstrips for garage doors. This process is pretty easy, as it involves getting appropriate seals and fixing them. First, gather the materials you’ll need for this project.
Remove any old seal by unscrewing the nuts/bolts holding them in place. Clean and prepare the door for the new seal, then secure the weatherstrip seal at the bottom of the door.
What is the cost of replacing the bottom seal on a garage door?
The different types of garage door bottom seals have varying features and prices. However, the average cost of replacing garage door bottom seals ranges from $170 to $490. This cost covers the prices for the material and labor.
You can save costs by getting the materials and installing them yourself. But, be sure that you are skilled enough to fix the seal correctly.
Final Words
Garage door bottom seals play significant roles in the insulation and weatherproofing of garages across various properties. These weatherstrips help keep out drafts, moisture, and pests while improving the garage’s energy efficiency.
A common option is the bottom seal for garage doors that conceal the gap between the door and the floor of your parking space. While various types of garage door bottom seals are available in the market, each comes with its benefits and downsides. You can explore the common garage door seals, discussed here, to find your match.