Do garage door threshold seals work?

Garage door threshold seals are an effective way to help insulate your garage and prevent drafts, bugs, leaves, and other debris from entering under the garage door. But do they really work? Let’s take a closer look at how garage door seals function and their benefits.

What are garage door threshold seals?

Garage door threshold seals, also known as bottom seals or bottom weatherstripping, are materials installed along the bottom edge of your garage door. They create a tight seal between the garage floor and the bottom of the door to block gaps that would otherwise allow air, water, bugs, and debris to pass through.

Threshold seals are typically made from materials like vinyl, rubber, brush, or foam. Vinyl and rubber seals are long-lasting options that create a tight, compression-style seal when the garage door closes. Brush seals use synthetic or real hair bristles to sweep the floor and block gaps. Foam seals are affordable options that conform tocreate a seal.

How do garage door threshold seals work?

Garage door bottom seals work by pressing against the floor when the door is closed. This compression creates an air tight barrier that prevents drafts from entering or escaping.

The seals are installed along the underside edge of the garage door. When the door is opened, the seal simply hangs down. But when the door is closed, the pliable seal material compresses and flattens out to fully contact the floor.

Quality threshold seals are designed to provide enough compression to create an effective seal, while still allowing the garage door to open and close without too much resistance or friction.

What are the benefits of garage door threshold seals?

Here are some of the main benefits that garage door bottom seals provide:

• Reduce energy loss – By sealing gaps that would otherwise allow air exchange between your garage and outside, bottom seals can reduce heat or cooled air loss from your house. This helps reduce utility bills.
• Prevent pest entry – Rodents, insects, and other pests can enter through tiny gaps under the garage door. A tight threshold seal blocks access points for pests.
• Keep dust, debris and moisture out – Wind-blown leaves, dust, pollen, rain, snow, and other elements can blow under the garage door. Seals block debris and moisture from entering your garage.
• Minimize noise – Threshold seals add an extra barrier that helps deaden noise from outside the garage, making the space quieter.

In climates with wide temperature extremes, sealing the gaps under your garage door can make a significant difference in comfort and energy efficiency. Even in more moderate climates, seals help block pests, dust and humidity.

Are there limitations to garage door threshold seals?

Garage door bottom seals are an inexpensive way to improve comfort and efficiency. However, there are some limitations to be aware of:

• Over time, seals can wear out, tear, crack, or flatten, reducing their effectiveness.
• Cheap or improperly installed seals are more prone to issues.
• Very uneven or damaged garage floors can allow some gaps under the seal.
• Seals may drag or get stuck to the floor when opening the door if they become overly compressed.
• Inward-opening garage doors don’t benefit as much from seals.
• Seals should be replaced along with weatherstripping for maximum effectiveness.

Despite these limitations, quality bottom seals still provide worthwhile benefits for most standard overhead garage doors with decent floor conditions. Choosing durable, thick seals and replacing them periodically can help maximize their usefulness.

How to choose the best garage door threshold seals

Here are some tips for choosing effective garage door bottom seals:

• Select the appropriate length to fit your garage door width.
• Measure the gap under your door to determine the optimal seal height. Common heights range from 1/2 inch up to 2 inches.
• Choose thick, durable seal materials like commercial grade vinyl or rubber for best results.
• Match the shape of the seal to your door – angled, straight edge, or loop style.
• Look for compression ratings of at least 4 PSI for an effective seal.
• Choose brands known for quality like MD Building Products or Frost King.

A professional garage door company can help determine the ideal seals for your specific door and needs. Proper installation is also important for getting a tight, long-lasting seal.

How to install garage door bottom seals

Installing garage door threshold seals takes a few simple steps, but can be tricky to get right:

1. Clean the bottom of the door and floor thoroughly where the seal will be placed.
2. Measure and cut the seal to the appropriate length for your door width.
3. Peel off any adhesive backing strip and stick the seal to the face of the door bottom.
4. For loop or finned seals, carefully nail the strips in place if needed.
5. Ensure the seal fits tightly against the floor, compressing by around 50% when the door is closed.
6. Consider using silicone caulk to firmly adhere the seals to the door.
7. Test that the door opens and closes properly without catching or dragging.

Taking the time to properly clean surfaces, measure, cut, adhere, and test the seals will help achieve optimal results. Consider having a professional handle the installation if you have any doubts.

How much do garage door threshold seals cost?

Garage door bottom seal costs are quite affordable, especially given their benefits. Here are some typical costs:

• Basic vinyl seals – $1 – $3 per linear foot
• Commercial grade vinyl/rubber seals – $3 – $8 per linear foot
• Foam or brush seals – $2 – $5 per linear foot
• Complete bottom seal kit – $30 – $60

So for example, a 16 foot wide standard garage door would need around $20 – $50 worth of seals. Having them installed professionally typically costs $150 – $300. This very reasonable one-time expense can save much more over time in energy costs. Even DIY installation can be completed quickly and easily.

Will garage door threshold seals improve insulation?

Garage door bottom seals can definitely help improve your garage insulation and energy efficiency. How much they improve insulation depends on:

• The existing gaps under your door – larger gaps allow more heat transfer.
• The quality and fit of your seals – higher quality seals block more air flow.
• Your garage and home insulation – better insulation maximizes seal effectiveness.
• Climate conditions – cold climates see more benefit than moderate ones.

One study by the U.S. Department of Energy found that adding bottom seals could reduce heat loss through a standard 2-car garage door by up to 10%. For an uninsulated garage that isn’t air sealed, sealing the threshold can reduce air leakage by up to 50%.

So while the insulation improvement may be modest for some homes, it can still make a worthwhile difference in comfort and energy savings.

Do you need garage door threshold seals if you have an insulated door?

Having an insulated garage door improves efficiency, but threshold seals still provide additional insulation benefits. The seals specifically address the gap at the floor that even insulated overhead doors can have.

Insulated doors have an insulating foam core sandwiched between an exterior and interior steel skin. However, air sealing the perimeter of the door is also important. Proper threshold seals, side seals, and top header seals work alongside an insulated door to minimize air gaps.

So seals are still recommended for insulated doors to maximize energy savings. At only minor added cost, they make an already efficient door even better.

Do you need a bottom seal with garage door weatherstripping?

Garage door weatherstripping (also called jamb seals) provides a seal between the door edges and door jambs. While effective, weatherstripping does not seal the gap at the floor. So for best results:

• Weatherstripping seals the perimeter door gaps on the sides and top.
• Bottom seals address the threshold gap between the floor and door bottom.

Using both garage door weatherstripping and bottom seals improves overall air sealing. The small additional cost is worth it for increased comfort and efficiency.

Can you seal under the garage door without a threshold seal?

It is possible to seal under a garage door without using bottom seals, but it is not the most effective approach.

Alternatives like clean rags, old blankets, foam backer rods, or other improvised fillers can technically block some gaps. But these will compress and degrade over time.

Proper bottom seals specifically engineered for garage doors provide the right combination of durability, flexibility, compression, and longevity.

For long-term, lasting results, quality bottom seals are recommended. They represent a very affordable solution with concrete energy-saving benefits.

Conclusion

Installing garage door threshold seals is an easy and affordable way to improve your garage’s insulation. They provide a surprising amount of added comfort and efficiency by sealing air gaps under your garage door that allow heat loss and infiltration.

Quality vinyl, rubber, brush, and foam seals compress to block airflow and debris when the garage door closes. They help reduce energy costs, prevent pest entry, and improve noise reduction. Bottom seals and weatherstripping work hand in hand to minimize gaps around the door perimeter.

Carefully measured and installed seals that properly fit your door can make a lasting difference. Consider having seals installed or inspecting existing ones to ensure your garage door threshold is properly sealed all year round.