Your garage door's weatherstripping is usually all that stands between the cold and your garage space. It also helps prevent rodents and insects from gaining easy entry into your garage. You may have to replace the weatherstripping at some point and when you do, you'll want to avoid these all-too-common mistakes:
Not Buying Enough for Your Garage Door's Width or Height
Coming up short in terms of width or height is one of the most common mistakes to make when buying garage door weatherstripping. Many people tend to buy what they believe to be just enough weatherstripping to cover their garage door, only to discover noticeable gaps after installation.
It's always important to measure the garage door and the existing seal before you shop for a new seal. Don't forget to write down your measurements just in case your mind draws a blank while looking at the wide array of garage door seals.
If you're worried about buying too much weatherstripping, don't worry. If the width is a bit longer than you need, you can always fold the weatherstripping over and insert the remaining material back into the channel. This way, you'll be sure to get a snug fit so the material doesn't shift side to side.
Ordering Inserts That Don't Match Your Retainer Type
Garage doors have a wide variety of retainers that are used for specific types of weatherstripping inserts. Most garage doors use T-shaped retainers that slot into similarly-shaped channels underneath the door. There are plenty of other retainer types available, including beaded and bulb variants. Unfortunately, many homeowners tend to buy the wrong type of retainer by accident, only to discover their mistake shortly afterwards.
When you're on the hunt for new weatherstripping, you'll want to double-check your current seal and make sure the retainer on the replacement matches up with what you find on the old seal. If necessary, take pictures of the retainer on the old seal and match it up with a newer replacement. You'll never know when having a definite visual guide can come in handy.
Ordering Inserts That Are Too Narrow for Your Garage Door
Another common mistake to make is ordering narrow inserts. The narrower the insert, the less likely it'll be able to protect your garage space from drafts and most other unwanted intrusions. In terms of thickness, a garage door that's 2 inches thick needs double the width to provide adequate protection against unwelcome house guests.
In most cases, it's a good idea to make the weatherstripping twice as thick as the garage door itself. This way, you can be sure you have plentiful coverage and improved durability.
Buying Commercial Weatherstripping for Residential Garage Doors
Garage doors designed for commercial use often come with their own set of crucial standards, making them largely unnecessary for use on ordinary doors. So if you happen to purchase seals used on commercial garage doors, you may find yourself having a difficult time installing it on a residential garage door. As you shop for weatherstripping, make sure it's specifically designed for residential use.
Not Accounting for Climate and Weather Conditions
If you happen to live in an area that regularly experiences severe cold, then you may want to choose garage door weatherstripping that's able to cope under such climates. Likewise, storm-prone areas require seals that can handle its own against high volumes of water. Caving the right weatherstripping for the right weather and climate conditions can help keep water and cold air from seeping into the garage space.
Staying away from the above pitfalls can help make your garage door weatherstripping replacement easier and faster to complete. For more information on garage doors, consider sites like http://www.shankdoor.com.
