Your garage door plays an important protective barrier role for your home. It helps keeps unwanted bugs, draft people, noise, and other elements out when it is properly sealed. If you have an insulated garage door, it also helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer by acting as another layer of protection against extreme temperatures.
If you are looking for ways to make your garage door more energy-efficient and keep noise out, one option is to invest in an insulated and soundproofed garage door. Here are some things to consider when deciding if an insulated garage door is right for you:
- The climate where you live: If you live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures (cold or hot), an insulated door will keep your home more comfortable year-round.
- How often you use your garage: If you use your garage regularly, or if it houses items that need to be temperature-controlled (like a workshop or home gym), an insulated garage door can help keep the space more comfortable.
- How much noise your garage door makes: If your garage is attached to your home and you can hear the door opening and closing whenever someone comes or goes, investing in an insulated and soundproofed garage door will also assist in reducing the noise level.
1. Use Garage Door Seals
A garage door seal also known as astragal or weatherstripping are seals fitted on the four edges of the garage door. The main purpose of the weather seal is to keep critters and other small crawling insects out of the garage while at the same time keeping moisture, air and airborne noise from seeping through the cracks and gaps around the door.
A garage door seal is a necessary component of any garage door system. A good seal will also help to prevent wind, rain, snow, and dust from entering the garage and damaging the contents inside.
There are many different types of seals available on the market, so it is important to choose one that will work best for your particular garage door system.
One type of seal that is often used on garage doors is called a bottom seal. This type of seal attaches to the bottom of the door and helps to create a barrier between the outside elements and the inside of the garage. Bottom seals are usually made from rubber or vinyl and can be purchased at most hardware stores.
The seals are pretty easy to install just follow these steps:
- Clean the bottom of the garage door and the floor. Start by removing dirt or debris, then use a clean piece of cloth to wipe them clean and then allow it to dry.
- Measure the area below the door and use those measurements to know the exact size of the seals that you should cut.
- Close the garage door then place the seal under it without removing the protective cover. Ensure the rubber part of the seal is under the door.
- Then mark up the areas that need sealing before removing it.
- Carefully apply the seals in a crisscross style, then let it rest for a few hours before using the door.
The seals are useful even at blocking dust, dirt, and rain from getting into the garage. An excellent example of the seal to use is Clopay Garage Door Bottom Seal.
2. Using Bottom Seal
Another way you can fix a garage door is by using bottom seals such as Heavy-Duty Garage Bottom Seal.
The garage door bottom seal is a seal that is placed at the bottom of the garage door. This seal helps to prevent weather, pests, and other debris from entering the garage. There are four main types of seals that can be used for this purpose
- J-Type: Also utilized in single channel retainers, and these J-type garage door bottom seals creates two “J”s on both sides of the door when it is closed.
- The T-type seal creates an inverted “T.” Similarly to the J-type seal, it is used in conjunction with single-channel retainers.
- Bulb seals are long, cylindrical tubes with a narrow tip. They are used for usage in single channel retainers. This enables the seal to press upward and spread across uneven floors.
- Beaded: Beaded seals primarily used in double channel retainers. To fit the circular grooves on the garage door, both sides of the seal are bent upwards. The beads prevent water from passing beneath the seal.
Bottom seals are easy to install because they come with clips. You only need to clip them in place, and you are good to go.
Follow these steps to place them:
- Measure the bottom of the garage where you intend to place the seal.
- Use those measurements to cut the seal to the exact size.
- Then attach the seals on the door using the clips.
- The bottom seals are pretty effective at keeping out small rodents and dirt from getting into your garage.
- The seal compresses every time you close the garage door.
3. Weatherstripping to Seal the Sides
It is a door seal that helps to prevent wind, rain, snow, and dirt from entering your garage. It also helps to keep your garage cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter by creating an additional layer of insulation.
Adhesive weatherstripping is applied directly to the door frame and is held in place with double-sided tape. Non-adhesive weatherstripping is applied to the inside of the door frame and is held in place with nails or staples.
There are many different types of weatherstripping available on the market, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types include foam, brush, V-seal, and pile.
- Foam weatherstripping is one of the most popular types because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. However, foam weatherstripping can deteriorate over time and may need to be replaced more frequently than other types.
- Brush weatherstripping is another popular option because it is also relatively inexpensive and easy to install. However, brush weatherstripping can be more difficult to find in stores and may need to be special ordered.
- V-seal weatherstripping is a less common type, but it is considered to be one of the most effective at sealing out air and water. V-seal weatherstripping is more expensive than other types, but it will last longer and seal better.
- Pile weatherstripping is the most common type of weatherstripping used on doors and windows. Pile weatherstripping is made of interlocking fibers that create a tight seal when compressed. Pile weatherstripping is relatively easy to install and can be found in most hardware stores.
Garage door weatherstripping should be replaced every two to three years.
To install a garage door weatherstrip, all you need to do is:
- Measure the edges of the door
- Use the measurements to purchase the right-sized tape. Consider Universal Weatherstripping for Garage Door. Or you can buy the whole one then cut it at home.
- Apply glue on the side of the weatherstripping tape. Use an adhesive made of rubber such as SikaFlex 1A.
- Then place the tape on the edges then close the door to firmly hold it in place. Then allow it to test for at least a day.
Tip: Keep in mind that the edges should be clean, free from dirt and moisture before you install the tape. Otherwise, it won’t work.
4. Use a Garage door top Seal
A garage door top seal is a weatherproofing measure that helps to keep your garage door insulated and protected from the elements.
There are a few different types of garage door top seals available on the market, so it is important to choose one that best fits your needs.
One type of garage door top seal is made from rubber. This type of seal is effective in keeping water out, but it can be difficult to install. Rubber seals can also be damaged easily by sunlight or other harsh weather conditions.
Another type of garage door top seal is made from silicone. Silicone seals are much easier to install than rubber seals, and they are also more durable. However, they are not as effective at keeping water out as rubber seals.
If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, it is important to choose a garage door top seal that can withstand the elements. One type of seal that is designed for this purpose is made from aluminum. Aluminum seals are very strong and can withstand high winds and other extreme weather conditions.No matter what type of garage door top seal you choose, it is important to make sure that it is installed correctly. If the seal is not installed correctly, it will not be effective in keeping water out of your garage.
A good garage door top seal will also help to reduce noise levels coming from outside, making it ideal for homes in busy neighborhoods.
5. Use a Threshold Seal
The threshold of a door is a solid strip of material (typically metal) that bridges the space between two rooms. They may be fitted to any opening, but exterior doors require them the most.
A threshold’s purpose is to fill the space between the bottom of a doorway and the floor. In conjunction with weatherstripping and , thresholds are used to seal the aperture and prevent air, water, and snowfall from entering. This eventually decreases heat loss in a structure and results in a door that is more energy efficient.
Commercial thresholds are often built from fabricated aluminum, but they can also be manufactured from stainless steel, bronze, brass, to create a perfect match with your garage door.
6. Insulate the Garage Door
Insulating your garage door is also a good way of keeping noise, cold, and insects away. The process is simple and affordable.
There are different ways you can insulate your garage door. They include: using fiberglass material, form board, and reflective insulation.
Using fiberglass material which is considered batt insulation is used for shielding against moisture and air.
Form board has polystyrene material, which provides excellent insulation for a thin layer.
Reflective insulation, on the other hand, uses aluminum foil, which reflects heat. This makes it an excellent product to use in the summer.
Purchase your refereed insulation kits then follow these steps to insulate your garage door:
Measure your garage door then use those measurements to cut the foil but ensure you add a little over an inch. The panels should be large to allow them to convex and curve as an air barrier.
Place the panels on the frame such that the foil is facing the door. Start with the top edge, then followed by the bottom edge.
Repeat the process with the other panels until you have exhausted the panels. Always ensure the panels are of the right size.
Why You Should Insulate a Garage Door
Garages are one of the most commonly used areas in a home, and they are also one of the most vulnerable to temperature changes. In the winter, garages can become freezing cold, making it difficult to work or even move around in.
In the summer, the heat can be unbearable, making it hard to keep cool. Insulating a garage door is an easy and effective way to keep your garage at a comfortable temperature all year round.
There are several reasons why you should insulate your garage door. For one, it will help keep your energy bills down. By keeping the temperature in your garage consistent, you won’t have to use as much energy to heat or cool it. This can lead to significant savings over time.
In addition, insulating your garage door will help to reduce noise pollution. If your garage is located near a busy street or other loud area, the insulation will help to muffle some of the noise. This can be helpful if you use your garage as a workshop or for other activities that require concentration.
Finally, insulating your garage door will improve its overall appearance. Most people don’t think about the aesthetics of their garage, but it can actually make a big difference in how your home looks from the outside. An insulated garage door will have a clean, finished look that will boost curb appeal and make your home more inviting.
Final Thoughts
There you go, some of the best methods on how to seal a garage door from the inside.
A properly sealed garage door will keep snow, rodents, noise, and crawling insects away.
And if you use your garage as a workshop, sealing it will prevent neighbor-to-neighbor conflict and add comfort when working during the winter and summer too.
References:
- https://www.titangaragedoorsne.com/blog/20what-are-the-different-types-of-weather-stripping-for-garage-doors/
- https://gsgaragedoors.com/types-of-garage-door-seals/
- https://www.thechicagohttps://www.titangaragedoorsne.com/blog/%20what-are-the-different-types-of-weather-stripping-for-garage-doors/doorpeople.com/types-weather-stripping-doors/
- https://www.dawsonmetal.com/commercial-door-threshold
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.