Are you aware of the extra work that your garage door will have to perform when the weather outside is brutally cold? The winter months can be brutal, and as a homeowner, it’s important to take extra care of your home during the colder months.
One way to do so is ensuring that various parts of your home are properly insulated, alongside weather stripping major entry points like the garage door and windows.
Weatherproofing is a fairly easy process but could make a tremendous difference in protecting your garage door and home from the elements.
Starting with the common materials used in garage door weatherstripping, below are some reasons why you should consider it:
Common Waterproofing Materials
The most common materials used in garage door weatherstripping include polyurethane, PVC, and foam. Speaking of foam, backer rods are increasingly becoming popular for sealing gaps and joints during garage door weatherstripping installation and replacement.
They are also highly durable and effective in providing protection against the inside and outside elements.
Reasons To Weatherstrip Your Garage Door
There are several benefits to weatherstripping your garage door. These include the following:
1. Improves Performance and Security
Without proper weatherproofing, your garage door could be susceptible to freezing and splitting open. As a homeowner, you want your garage door to perform as well as possible, especially when you’re short on time or resources.
When your garage door can shut firmly and smoothly, it reduces the chances of getting damaged from being slammed on the ground or knocked into an alcove. It also helps make the garage more secure and decreases the chances of thieves being able to break into your home.
2. It Keeps Heat Inside
Though winter is usually considered an outdoor season, it is actually warmer inside the garage than it is outside. A weather-proof garage door will keep much of the heat inside your home from radiating out.
This means a warmer home during the colder months. It may also help eliminate the need for additional home furnishing after the colder months.
3. Weatherproofing It Helps Save On Utilities
Considering the increased amount of weatherization required as part of standard home upkeep, weatherproofing your garage door is one of the best ways to save on costs and reduce the carbon footprint.
Since it prevents heat from escaping your home, it also keeps your heating system from working extra hard to keep your home warm. A properly weather-stripped garage door can thus help in lowering your monthly energy bills in winter.
4. It Can Fight Off Moisture and Mold
Although the garage is generally airtight, moisture may seep in during the colder months. When the garage door is properly sealed, however, you won’t have to worry about moisture and mold coming inside your home.
5. It Increases the Life of Your Garage Door
Your garage door will have to work harder in the winter to operate effectively. That could lead to issues such as fading or failure of the sensor. Proper weatherstripping is a preventive measure and can help prolong the life of your garage door.
6. It Helps Save on Maintenance Costs
With proper weatherstripping, your garage door won’t have to be opened or closed so often. This will reduce the chances of breaking the cable or motor, which are critical in the opening and closing of the door.
Take Advantage of Preventive Maintenance
If you decide to weatherstrip your garage door, you’ll have to replace the weatherstripping. This is not usually a simple task, as there are several components to deal with, including the sensor and the external weatherstrip.
If at all you have to handle it by yourself, here are some preventive maintenance tips you can use to prevent a costly garage door repair in the future.
- Don’t rush DIY repairs
- Test the mechanical parts of your garage door
- Maintain a quick fix kit
- Install backer rods
- Do a detailed post-inspection
As you can see, there are so many reasons to start thinking about weatherproofing the garage door as winter approaches. In a nutshell, it helps you save money, protects your investment, and adds comfort to your home during the harsh winter months.
