What is garage door weather seal? Do you need to have this type of sealant? If so, can you install it on your own, or do you need a contractor to do it for you? If you happen to be into DIY projects, then this one is perfect for you. Nearly every garage door has some kind of protective sealant. Why? This type of sealant actually keeps cold and hot air out of your garage, which (in turn) keeps your home a lot cooler or warmer (depending upon the temperature). In short, this type of sealant is necessary.
Garage door weather seal can actually help you save some money. How? As cold and warm air escape your home, you will find that your electricity bill drastically increases. Trying to constantly keep your home at the right temperature can be difficult, but installing the proper sealant can make this a lot easier. Any cracks that appear underneath your garage door will allow hot or cold air to escape. When you block these cracks with the right sealant, you can bet that your home will remain at a constant temperature. In order to install this type of sealant, you will have to purchase a few basic tools.
While most garage door weather seal includes nails, you will also have to purchase the other tools that are listed on the back of the box. Every kit tends to be a bit different, but you'll probably need a measuring tape, a hammer, a pencil, and durable scissors. Then, simply follow the steps listed on the sealant package. Take the time to line up this sealant properly. If you find that you have any cracks left after you are done with the installation, then you might want to re-do this project. The good news is that you can fix any mistakes easily.
Do you need garage door weather seal? Yes. Can you do it yourself? Yes. Is this a tough DIY project? No. All you have to do is read those directions carefully, make sure you have the best tools for the job, and get to work. You’ll find that installing this sealant will really change the comfort level inside of your home. As a result of this project, you will notice that your electricity bill greatly decreases, and that's good news no matter how you look at it.This is one DIY project that you don't want to miss out on.
Installing A Garage Door Bottom
Weatherstrip
I've tried to install a
garage door bottom weather-strip, but it is so unmanageable that it always comes
out crooked. Is there an easier way to install it than just nailing it?
This is the nonpareil of tips... the creme de la creme! Do this and you will
not only have the weather-strip up in record time, but have it as straight as
possible!
TOOLS NEEDED: Garage door bottom weather-stripping kit (including nails),
maybe a half-pound of 1" or longer galvanized roofing nails, heavy duty
staple gun with minimum ½" staples, hammer, patience.
Optional: Sandpaper and wood preservative
Remove
old weatherstrip completely, including old nails if possible.
Any old nails or staples that are not removeable should be hammered flush to
bottom of door so they don't tear the new weatherstrip.
Sand bottom of door and coat with a clear wood
preservative. Since the weatherstrip is non-breathable solid
rubber, moisture can accumulate between it and the bottom of the door,
promoting rot.
Position
the door so that it is about chest height. Not my chest height,
yours. This will give you a view of your finished product as you work. You
can use your garage door opener to do this (most modern ones reverse on the
down cycle and stop on the up cycle), or disconnect the opener and use
clamps on the track(s). You can use one, or two for extra security!!
Unroll the weatherstrip completely, and make sure
it is long enough. You want to avoid stretching it excessively
now or during installation. If there is a ratty end (sometimes the ends are
a little beaten up because of staples or other rude behavior), and you have
extra length to work with, do a little trimming.
Position the weatherstrip so that the overhang
extends to the inside. This is important! If the overhang extends
to the outside, the weather-strip will hit the garage door frame and force
you to trim it to compensate. Only install the weatherstrip with the
overhang outside if the outside level is significantly lower than the area
under the door.
Usually, the bottom roller bracket (to which the
garage door cable attaches) inconveniently obstructs or limits your
fastening options on the first 3" or so on either side of the garage
door bottom. Sometimes, there is a single hole for you to nail
into. Sometimes not. In either case, you will not do any fastening through
the bracket until you get the rest of the weatherstrip secured
Line up the weatherstrip so it lines up with or
is slightly past the end of the door, and with the outside edge where you
want it. Put a staple through the weatherstrip and into the bottom of the
door near to the bottom roller bracket. Continue across the
bottom of the garage door, stapling every 3 or so inches.
When you are within a foot of the other end of
the door, measure and trim the weatherstrip so it will just meet the end of
the door. Finish stapling.
Raise the door to a comfortable hammering
position, and hammer in the nails that came with the kit. Place
them between the staples. Attach the weatherstrip to the two bottom roller
brackets via the holes we looked for earlier. If there is a nail in it
already, remove the nail and then renail the weatherstrip to it. If there is
no hole (hello, Mr. Murphy), get out your drill and make one!
Many of the kits I have used come with painfully short ½"
nails. Have a bunch of minimum 1" long galvanized roofing
nails handy, and throw the short nails into the "circular file"!!
That's about it. The staples cannot be relied on to hold the weatherstrip
permanently, but they eliminate the snake-wrestling match that installing a
garage door bottom weatherstrip can turn into!! Enjoy.
