If you’re looking to quickly and drastically upgrade your garage door functionality, it’s important to pay attention to your garage door seal. In this blog entry, the garage door repair and Chicago garage door opener repair team here at Garage Door Repair Chicago will detail the important things to know about garage door seals.
Why are garage door seals important?
Garage door seals, otherwise known as weatherstripping (or less commonly astragal), are sealant that fully wraps around your overhead garage door. Garage door seals are meant to keep animals, insects, moisture, and cold air out of your garage – and your home if the garage is attached. Garage doors can keep energy bills low in Summer and Winter by not allowing outdoor weather to come into your home. All aspects of your garage door seal – whether it’s made of rubber, nylon, or vinyl – are important. Garage door bottom seals protect the surface of your garage’s floor, and can even help to fill up uneven gaps on your garage floor. Garage door side seals prevent mold, mildew, rain, and humidity from entering your garage. Garage door seals are usually made of nylon or rubber seals that are attached to your door using a retainer. The retainer is the metal part of your garage door that holds the seal in place. These retainers can be L, C, or tongue-and-groove shaped depending on your specific garage door type.
What are some of the types of garage seals?
J type garage seals are J shaped when the garage door is closed. They are ideal for garage doors with single channel retainers.
T type garage seals are ideal for uneven floor surface garages, and work to provide protection on both sides of the garage door. They work well on small gaps or uneven floor spaces, preventing moisture, weather conditions, or pests from entering your home.
Beaded type seals are ideal for garage doors with circular grooves or double channel retainers. They are perfect for garage doors that are flat. They are usually three inches wide when flat, and have a special ribbed outer surface. They work to prevent your garage door from freezing during the winter.
Brush type seals are found on both sides of the garage door, are highly durable,and appear like the ends of a broom. They are often used in high frequency areas or on doors that flex or bend. These brushes help prevent sound transfer from the outdoors.
How can I maintain my garage door seals?
- Treat the garage door seal with silicone based lubricant every 3 months to increase its lifespan
- Check your garage door every month for signs of damage or wear
- Spray the garage seal with a shower cleaner and allow it to remain on the surface for a few minutes, then wipe it down to remove debris
- Hire a professional garage door maintenance team to treat your garage door at least once a year
- Replace your garage door weather seal when it’s rubber gets stiff, cracked, or starts to disintegrate
