How do you seal the inside sides of a garage door?

Sealing the inside sides of a garage door is an important maintenance task that can improve insulation, reduce drafts and noise, and help your garage stay clean and dry. Here are some quick answers about sealing garage door sides:

– Sealing the inside sides helps insulate your garage, keeping it warmer in winter and cooler in summer. This can reduce heating and cooling costs.

– Sealing can help block dirt, dust, leaves, pests, and noise from entering through gaps between the door panels. This helps keep your garage cleaner.

– Sealing gaps can help prevent water intrusion during heavy rains. This protects items stored in the garage from moisture damage.

– Inside seals are often made from vinyl, rubber, foam, or weatherstripping materials that compress when the door is closed to fill gaps.

– Sealing may involve applying sticker seals, sweeps, or stripping along panel edges. For larger gaps, you may need to attach backing rods before caulking.

– The bottom panel and side edges around the opener are common areas where inside sealing is needed on sectional roll-up doors.

When to Seal the Inside of Your Garage Door

Sealing the inside edges of your garage door is recommended in several situations:

– If you notice visible light coming through gaps between the panels or around the edges, this indicates heat and cold air are likely entering too. Sealing can insulate better.

– If leaves, dust, or other contaminants are blowing into your garage around the door, sealing the gaps can help block debris.

– If rainwater leaks into your garage around the bottom or sides of the door during storms, inside seals can help.

– When you notice excessive noise from outside entering through the panels, seals can help dampen sound.

– If there are cracks or damage allowing pests like insects or rodents to get in, sealing openings can block entry points.

– As part of regular seasonal maintenance, inspect your door’s inside seals and replace any that are missing, damaged, or deteriorating.

Performing preventative inside sealing helps maximize your garage door system’s insulation and improve your garage environment. Addressing problem areas as they occur protects your space and belongings.

Materials Needed for Inside Garage Door Sealing

Sealing the inside edges of your garage door panels typically involves simple materials found at your local hardware store or home improvement center:

– Sealant strips – Pre-shaped vinyl, rubber, or foam strips that stick to door panel edges are convenient inside seals. Measure the lengths needed for each side.

– Weatherstripping – Flexible vinyl strips with an adhesive backing easily seal gaps. Get the type suited for inside application.

– Backing rod – For larger gaps, stuff this foam cord into openings before caulking to shape the sealant space.

– Caulk/sealant – For large gaps, a silicone or polyurethane caulk or sealant makes a good adhesive seal when applied over backing rod.

– Cleaners – Remove dirt and debris first. Lightly sand glossy paint for better caulk adhesion.

– Scissors – Cut sealant strips and weatherstripping to fit.

– Tape measure – Measure perimeter gaps so you know how much material to get.

– Utility knife – Cut backing rod and trim excess length off sealant strips.

– Ladder – Used to reach the tops of tall doors to install seals properly.

Purchase the specific inside sealing products recommended by your door manufacturer if available. Take measurements beforehand so you get enough materials.

How to Seal the Inside of a Sectional Garage Door

Follow these key steps to properly seal the inside edges of a sectional roll-up garage door:

1. Inspect gaps – Visually look at the inside edges of each panel, the top panel, and around the opener to locate gaps needing seals. Measure gap sizes to determine the correct materials and amounts needed.

2. Clean surfaces – Wipe away any dirt, dust, oil, or debris from the inside edges of door panels where seals will be applied using a cleaning solution.

3. Apply backing rod – For extra large gaps wider than 3/8 inch, first press foam backing rod into the openings. Cut it a bit wider than the gaps so it presses in tightly when compressed.

4. Install sealant strips – Determine the required lengths of sealant strips needed for each gap based on your measurements. Carefully peel away the strip backings and press the adhesive strips firmly in place along each inner panel edge. For smaller gaps, these strips alone may suffice.

5. Apply weatherstripping – To seal smaller openings, cut weatherstripping to fit each gap. Remove the protective backing and press the weatherstripping firmly so it adheres. Run it along the full length of each gap.

6. Caulk gaps – For ensured adhesion on wider gaps with backing rod, apply a steady line of quality silicone or polyurethane caulk atop the foam and smooth evenly with a fingertip.

7. Seal bottom panel – Carefully seal along the bottom panel where it meets the concrete. Continue seals up partially angled side panels if present.

8. Seal around opener – Apply weatherstripping around the border where the door panels surround the garage door opener unit.

9. Replace worn seals – Remove any existing worn out seals before installing new replacement seals. Make sure to seal the entire perimeter.

10. Test door operation – Fully open and close the door several times to ensure the seals do not hinder proper operation or full closure.

Following manufacturer specifications for your specific door model is always recommended when sealing the inside. Take time to do the prep work and get quality sealing products to get the best insulation results.

Tips for Effective Inside Garage Door Sealing

Keep these tips in mind for the best results when sealing the inside edges of your garage door:

– Check that all hardware components are tightened properly so the door operates smoothly without binding or rubbing, which can damage new seals.

– Make sure the torsion springs are balanced and working well so the door opens and closes properly under the correct tension.

– Use high quality sealant strips, weatherstripping, backing rod, and caulk designed for the inside of garage doors for durability.

– Completely remove any old, worn out seals first so the new seals adhere well for maximum effectiveness.

– Measure carefully and get adequate lengths of seal products to cover all inner gaps according to manufacturer specifications.

– Apply moderate pressure when installing seals for optimal compression without excess bunching up.

– Make sure seals fit into panel grooves as designed and do not fold over at corners. Cut miters at ends if needed.

– After installation, test the automatic opener and manually open and close the door to confirm proper operation and full closure.

– Recheck seals seasonally and whenever you notice evidence of air leaks, moisture, noise, or pests penetrating the door.

– Contact a professional garage door technician if doors are out of balance, springs are broken, or significant structural issues prevent effective sealing.

Taking the time to properly seal your garage door can pay off through lower energy costs and improved climate protection for a workspace or storage area. Maintaining the seals keeps your garage clean and secure year-round.

Benefits of Sealing Your Garage Door Inside

Here are some of the reasons why sealing the inside perimeter of your garage door is worthwhile:

– Reduced energy loss – Seals prevent heated or cooled air from escaping into the garage, saving on energy costs.

– Less dust and debris – Gaps allow dirt, leaves, and other contaminants to blow in. Seals block this debris.

– Lower noise – Foam strips help deaden outside noise from entering through panels.

– Pest protection – Sealing cracks denies entry points for insects and rodents.

– Moisture control – Water can drip through gaps and damage stored items. Seals keep moisture out.

– Improved insulation – Prevents convection currents through gaps that steal heat from the enclosed garage space.

– Added safety – Seals around an automatic opener prevent fingers from getting caught in gaps.

– Garage protection – Keeping your workspace or storage garage cleaner and drier protects items inside.

– Maintains paint – Prevents exterior elements from damaging the door paint through exposed gaps.

– Enhanced security – Sealed doors lack gaps that could allow intruders to peer inside or manipulate locking devices.

For maximum benefits, make sure your garage door has properly sealed weatherstripping on the outside perimeter as well. Combine inside and outside seals for the best insulation and protection.

How to Seal Small Gaps in Garage Doors

For small gaps up to about 1/4 inch between garage door panels or around edges, effective sealing can be achieved using:

– Thin foam strips – Self-adhesive vinyl-foam strips can seal small gaps when pressed into place. Look for types made to fit sectional door gaps.

– Rubber seals – Fit basic rubber sealing strips into slim gaps by peeling off the backing tape and pressing on. Choose high quality materials.

– Weatherstripping – Flexible fuzzy vinyl weatherstripping tape adheres well to seal narrow gaps. Cut pieces to fit specific openings.

– Aluminum strips – Springy aluminum sealing strips insert into channels between panels designed for them. Snap into place by hand.

– Caulk beads – For durable adhesion, apply a steady bead of quality caulk and tool it smooth with a fingertip. Paint to match.

– Spray foam – Window and door spray foam expands into crevices, but trim any excess after curing. Don’t restrict panel movements.

– Garage sealant – Specialty vinyl/rubber blend garage door sealants work well for sealing moderate gaps after cleaning.

– Sealant pads – Adhere flexible rubber seal pads around door hardware pieces to close 1/8 inch gaps.

With small openings, simply adhere an appropriately sized sealing product into the gap. Maintain the seals as needed to keep a tight closure.

Best Materials for Sealing Large Gaps

For large gaps wider than 1/4 inch in garage door panels, use these sealing methods:

– Backing rod + caulk – Stuff foam backing rod into the gap to shape it before applying paintable caulk over top.

– Garage sealant – Special flexible caulks and silicone made for garage doors work well.

– Vinyl strips – Heavy duty, thick vinyl seals adhere tightly over large gaps. Look for high quality materials.

– Rubber seals – Large rubber garage door sealing strips help insulate big gaps when firmly installed.

– Aluminum & vinyl – Combination seals with sturdy aluminum backing and vinyl weatherstripping adhere strongly.

– Door sweep – Attaching a vinyl door sweep helps seal below a bottom panel gap.

– Door threshold – Bolting a threshold bar across the base seals the bottom effectively.

– Expanding foam – Polyurethane spray foam adheres into wide gaps but requires trimming off excess.

For best results, thoroughly clean gaps first and check for binding door sections. Compress seals with firm, even pressure when applying. Choose durable, flexible sealing products rated for larger gaps and for garage door use.

How to Seal Recessed Panel Edges

Here are tips for properly sealing the recessed inner edges where garage door panels overlap:

– Measure the depth and width of the recesses carefully to determine the size seals needed.

– Clean all dirt, debris, old caulk, and wax out of the recessed grooves with a stiff brush and mineral spirits.

– For thin recessed gaps, force rubber seal strips or silicone sealant into the channels by pressing in firmly along the entire length.

– Wide snap-in vinyl seals can fit larger recessed gaps. Cut them to fit each channel. Snap them fully into place by hand.

– Back wide recesses with polyethylene foam backer rod before using a paintable caulk to seal the perimeter of panels.

– After sealing, operate the door fully to ensure the panels move freely without the seals restricting motion or binding.

– Metal angle strips can fasten recessed panels tightly together, then foam weatherstripping attaches to the angle seal.

– If panel joints are misaligned, binding seals can prevent proper operation. Have a pro adjust and align panels if needed.

Check manufacturer instructions for the optimal seals recommended for the recessed construction of your specific garage door model. Properly sealing recessed gaps takes patience but prevents air infiltration.

How to Seal Decorative Garage Door Panels

Many garage doors feature decorative serialized panels, windows, or designs. Follow these tips when sealing ornate doors:

– Determine if the manufacturer offers specialized sealing kits for that door style, which integrate with the decor seamlessly.

– For small gaps around decorative fixtures or designs, carefully apply thin beads of clear silicone caulk and smooth with a finger.

– Use thin foam adhesive strips to seal around the edges of decorative windows on the door panels.

– Get creative with trim pieces – install vinyl strips and rubber seals on the panel surfaces in decorative patterns complementary to the door design.

– Caulk between the molding trims applied to the panels, sealing the decorative shapes where they meet.

– Ensure any sealing materials applied over door panels do not block or interfere with the visibility of important safety sensors.

– Make sure seals are concealed within grooved channels or perform neat caulk work so aesthetics are preserved.

– For historic doors, use reversible seal methods like quality weatherstripping tape that won’t harm antique materials.

– If needed, removable strip seals allow taking them off to restore the door’s original decorative appearance.

While specialty products may cost more, investing in quality seals designed for ornamental doors is worth it for both functionality and aesthetics. Ensure proper operation after sealing.

How Much Does It Cost to Seal a Garage Door Inside?

Sealing the inside of a garage door typically costs $3 to $8 for basic supplies, while hiring a pro averages $150 to $250. Factors affecting the cost include:

– Size of the garage door – Larger doors require more sealing materials to cover all the panel edges.

– Number of gaps – Doors with more gaps, damage, poor alignment, or missing seals need more supplies and time to seal thoroughly.

– Gap dimensions – Larger gaps often require thicker seals or backing rod and caulk rather than just adhesive strips.

– Seal material types – Specialty branded garage door seals can cost more than basic caulk and weatherstripping from a hardware store.

– DIY vs professional – Hiring a qualified garage door pro to seal doors properly will cost more in labor fees.

– Door type – More complex decorative doors require specialized seal products matching the designs.

– Location – Labor rates for pros are higher in some metro areas. Additional fees may apply for rural areas.

– Extent of repairs – If underlying issues like warped panels or broken hardware need repairing first, this raises costs.

With basic DIY materials from a home center costing around $5 to $10 and pro installation averaging $150 to $250 depending on your location and garage door type, sealing the inside is an affordable maintenance task that boosts insulation.

Conclusion

Effectively sealing the inside edges of your garage door using quality vinyl strips, sealants, weatherstripping, or caulk can make a huge difference in insulating your space from drafts, moisture, noise, pests, and debris. Investing in durable inside seals designed for garage doors saves energy, protects your space, and keeps your garage cleaner and dryer year-round. With proper materials and application, you can seal inside gaps properly yourself or have a professional ensure optimal adhesion and performance. Keeping the seals maintained makes your garage an ideal environment for parked vehicles, storage, or workspace.