Do you live in a southwest Chicago suburb like Plainfield, Naperville, Lockport or Bolingbrook? You probably know that installing weatherstripping around your home’s entry doors and windows keeps the interior more comfortable throughout the year and can lower your energy bills. Around your garage door is another area that will benefit from weatherstripping.
What Is Weatherstripping?
Garage door weatherstripping consists of long, narrow pieces of rubber or vinyl material designed to fit into the gaps at the bottom, sides and top of the door. Installing weatherstripping forms a seal that prevents cold or hot air from infiltrating the interior space.
Two types of weatherstripping products are available for each area of your garage door:
- Bottom seal and retainer
- Vinyl doorstop molding with integrated weatherstripping
5 Reasons to Consider a Garage Door Weather Seal Installation
Adding weatherstripping around your garage door opening’s perimeter can provide multiple benefits.
1. Improves Climate Control
Sealing your garage door helps keep the frigid winter and hot summer air in northern Illinois out of the garage. In addition to making the space more comfortable throughout the year, this process can reduce the risk of damage to the items you store there — including your vehicles.
Maximizing temperature control is also important if you use or plan to convert your garage into a home office, workout room, workshop or extra bedroom.
2. Keeps Rodents Out
Rats, mice and other vermin often seek out garages for shelter and nesting. These small creatures can compress their bodies and fit through tiny cracks and crevices. Once inside, they can damage the garage’s contents, leave droppings and even crawl under vehicles and chew on electrical wiring. Weatherstripping enables you to seal openings and keep these uninvited pests away.
3. Reduces Energy Bills
Do you have an attached garage? Weatherstripping can help keep hot and cold air from seeping into your garage and infiltrating your home. Your heating and cooling system won’t need to work as hard, reducing energy consumption and lowering your household’s utility bills.
4. Helps Maintain a Cleaner Space
Those heavy northern Illinois winds can blow dirt, dust and debris through the cracks around your garage door and coat the stored contents. Weatherstripping prevents these materials from getting inside and creating a dirty, unhealthy environment.
5. Stops Water Damage
Heavy rains and melting snow can allow water and moisture to enter your garage. Weatherstripping forms a protective seal that keeps the interior space and contents dry and helps prevent mold, mildew and other water-related damage.
When Should Your Replace Garage Door Weatherstripping?
Do you already have weatherstripping on your garage door? Even high-quality material doesn’t last forever — the average life expectancy of most weatherstripping products is approximately two years.
Several factors, including exposure to severe weather and frequent door opening and closing, can reduce its life span. Signs that you may need a garage door weatherproofing upgrade include:
- Visible wear, such as cracks, warping, discoloring or material separation
- A draft coming through the top, bottom or sides of the door
- Puddles or standing water near or around the garage door
- Sign of rust on metal garage door components
- The stripping feels brittle to the touch
- You notice gaps in the seal surrounding the door
- Dirt, debris or rodents are getting inside your garage
Contact A-All Style Garage Door for Your Weatherstripping Needs
If you live in the southwest Chicago suburbs, the experienced professionals at Bolingbrook, IL-based A-All Style Garage Door can provide a reliable, cost-effective weatherproofing solution for your garage door. Whether you’re looking to install new weatherstripping or make an upgrade, we can handle your project smoothly, seamlessly and affordably.
When you choose us for garage door service, you’ll partner with a local, trustworthy family-owned company with an excellent reputation for quality and integrity. We pay attention to every detail to ensure the best outcome for every project. We also support our work with a one-year warranty on all repairs, giving you extra protection and peace of mind.
Learn more about the benefits of a garage door weatherstripping installation or replacement by A-All Style Garage Door. Call us at 630-739-7170 or contact us online to request an estimate or schedule a convenient repair appointment today.