Does water seep into your garage when it rains, or does cold wind blow through the cracks of your garage door, making your garage and home drafty and uncomfortable? Today, we’ll discuss several ways to keep the wind and water out of your garage without having to replace your entire garage door. Protect your belongings, prevent water damage, increase your home’s energy efficiency, and keep those miserable drafts out by weatherproofing your garage this winter.
Grab an assistant and have them stand on one side of your closed garage door with a flashlight while you stand on the other. It may be easiest to see the light at night, so bundle up and head out with a buddy after work. Have your assistant shine the light all around the edges of the door. Take note of any areas where the light shines into your garage. These are the areas where wind and rain are able to penetrate your garage door, and they should be sealed.
Some garage doors are designed with built-in insulation, but most are not. You may need to add insulation yourself to create a greater buffer between your garage (and the door that leads into your home) and the cold wind and other outdoor elements. If it's nearing time to replace your garage door, consider getting an insulated steel door with a high energy efficiency rating. If your door’s still in great shape, however, a much more affordable option is to insulate the door yourself.
You can find a garage door insulation kit at a hardware or home improvement store. You might come across two different types of kits in your search: soft spun fiberglass and solid polystyrene sheets. Soft insulation is installed and held in place via clips. Polystyrene sheets pop into place in between the panels on your door. Choose whichever type of kit you prefer, and use the included instructions to install. While you're at the store, be sure to grab a utility knife so you can cut the insulation to size.
Check the current weather stripping on your door. Take a close look at the rubber strip that should extend across the bottom of your door from one end to the other. Are there cracks or gaps? Is it worn down? If so, it won’t be able to effectively perform its job (keeping out wind and moisture) and should be replaced. It’s normal for this piece of the door to wear out after a few years, and it should be replaced regularly. When you go to the store to purchase new weather stripping, you’ll likely get a piece that’s too long for your door. Cut it down to size, and then nail it or press it (if it comes with an adhesive backing) into place on your door after you’ve removed the old piece. Close the door, and take a look at your work after you’re done. The weather stripping should be flush with the ground. If it's not, you will need to adjust it.
Check out the rest of your garage. If you have cracks in walls or around doors or piping, seal them with expanding foam insulation or caulking to prevent drafts in these areas.
If you need garage door service in or around the Des Moines area, contact us! Let us know if you are interested in an insulated garage door or would like some tips on how to insulate and weatherproof your current door. We install and repair both commerical and residential doors in Iowa.