Garage door seals play an important role in keeping your garage protected and secure. They are responsible for preventing dirt, debris, water, pests, and other unwanted outdoor elements from making their way into your garage.
Not only do these seals keep your car, bikes, tools, and other garage items protected from damage, but they also help maintain the garage’s temperature to keep it comfortable in both the blazing summer and chilly winter.
4 Types of Garage Door Seals
Although all have the same purpose of protecting your garage, there are a variety of garage door seals available and each comes with a unique set of benefits. Here is an overview of four basic types of garage door seals.
#1: Weatherstripping
As the name suggests, weatherstripping is responsible for protecting your garage against damage caused by snow, rain, strong winds, and any other adverse weather condition that comes its way. Weatherstripping comes in long strips of material that you place around your garage door.
#2: Brush Seal
Instead of a basic rubber seal, brush seals secure your garage door with a thick, fibrous brush. Brush seals are very strong and durable, making them a great choice for commercial garages. However, there are gaps in the brush fibers that don’t fully prevent water from entering your garage in the same way that other seals will.
#3: Threshold Seal
A threshold seal is a type of seal that’s actually connected to the floor of a garage. It works together with the bottom seal to keep away any kind of water and prevent any animals from getting into the space.
#4: Bottom Seal
A bottom seal is a strip of rubber that is attached to the bottom of a garage door for protection. These come in multiple shapes, including bulb, j-type, t-type, and beaded.
How to Check the Performance of Your Garage Door Seals
“Due to their importance in keeping your garage protected, it is always a good idea to regularly check the functioning of your garage door seals.”
After all, seals can be prone to damage after years of adverse weather conditions beating down on them. If your garage door won’t close properly or if you’re having any other issues with it, checking the seals should be one of your first tasks. Here is a step-by-step guide for inspecting garage door seals.
#1: Look at the Seal’s Appearance
A garage door seal’s appearance and texture can say a lot about its current condition. When a seal appears to be discolored, cracked, faded, or is missing pieces in any area, it is most likely time for a replacement. In addition, when a seal feels weak and brittle and isn’t properly adhering to the door or floor, it is probably too worn down to perform at its best.
#2: See if Light Comes Through the Seal
When a seal is properly secured onto your garage door, there shouldn’t be any visible gaps. An easy way to check if your seal is loose is to turn on your garage door light at night and look to see if there is any light seeping through the bottom of your closed garage. If there is, you might just need to adjust the fitting of your seal. On the other hand, if the seal is bent and warped, you will need to get a replacement seal.
#3: Check for Signs of a Draft
Properly functioning seals will keep air from escaping at the bottom of your door and near the garage door trim on the sides of the door. If there’s a draft, your seals have a problem. To check this, go out on a windy day and simply close the garage door. Then hover your hand all around the areas of the seals to feel for any breeze. If you feel any kind of warm or cold air moving through, your seal is not insulating in the way that it is supposed to.
Replacing Garage Door Seals
If any of the above signs point to a faulty garage door gasket, it’s important to remove the old one and replace your seal with the help of a professional garage door company. This will ensure that any storms, pests, or other nuisances don’t have a chance of causing damages and issues in your garage.
Working with a professional garage door repair company is the best option when you’re looking to replace your garage door seals. The experts know exactly how to lay down the seal effectively. They have all of the tools and equipment needed to install garage door seals without the need to worry about gaps, drafts, or a misaligned garage door track.
Austin’s Greater Garage Doors Fixes Seals
If you’re in need of professional garage door repairs (seals included!), you can trust Austin’s Greater Garage Doors. We provide comprehensive garage door services to improve the look and functionality of commercial and residential garages. To learn more about our services, get in touch with our knowledgeable team today!
