How do I know if my garage door weatherstripping needs replacing?

Close the door and turn off the lights; if you see daylight along the bottom, you have a gap. Other signs include drafts of cold air near the floor, rainwater pooling inside after a storm, and finding bugs or rodents in the garage.

What are the common types of garage door bottom seals?

The two most common are T-style or bulb seals that slide into a channel on the bottom of the door, usually on metal doors, and nail-on seals that are nailed directly to the bottom of wooden doors.

How do I replace a T-style garage door bottom seal?

Open the door halfway and slide the old rubber out of the tracks, clean the aluminum channel, then fold the new rubber into a U shape and slide the T-ends into the tracks. Trim off the excess, leaving about an inch on each side to tuck back in.

Should I also replace the weatherstripping on the sides of the door?

Yes. The vinyl stop molding around the door frame also seals out drafts. If it is cracked, pry it off and nail up new strips, pressing them gently against the door face for a tight seal.

Keep the Cold Out: Replacing Garage Door Weatherstripping

The rubber seal at the bottom of your garage door (the astragal) takes a beating. It gets crushed against the concrete, frozen in winter, and baked in summer. Over time, it cracks and flattens, letting in cold air, rain, leaves, and even mice.

Signs You Need New Weatherstripping

Daylight: Close the door and turn off the lights. If you see light shining through the bottom, you have a gap.
Drafts: You feel cold air rushing in near the floor.
Water: Rainwater pools inside the garage after a storm.
Pests: You’re finding bugs or rodents in the garage.

Types of Seals

T-Style or Bulb: Slides into a channel on the bottom of the door. Most common on metal doors.
Nail-On: Nailed directly to the bottom of wooden doors.

How to Replace (T-Style)

Remove the Old Seal: Open the door halfway. Slide the old rubber out of the tracks. You might need pliers if it’s stuck.
Clean the Track: Use a screwdriver and rag to clean dirt out of the aluminum channel.
Install the New Seal: Fold the new rubber into a “U” shape and slide the T-ends into the tracks. It helps to have a helper feed it while you pull.
Trim: Cut off any excess rubber, leaving about an inch on each side to tuck back in.

Don’t Forget the Sides!

The vinyl weatherstripping around the door frame (stop molding) also seals out drafts. If it’s cracked, pry it off and nail up new strips, pressing them gently against the door face for a tight seal.

Insulating Your Garage Door - Weatherstripping complements door insulation for maximum efficiency
Insulated vs Uninsulated Doors - Even uninsulated doors benefit from good seals
Seasonal Maintenance Checklist - Check weatherstripping twice a year
Cleaning Garage Door - Keep seals clean to extend their life

Maintenance Services: Panel Replacement • Door Installation

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How to Replace T-Style Garage Door Weatherstripping

Remove the old seal

Open the door halfway and slide the old rubber out of the tracks, using pliers if it is stuck.

Clean the track

Use a screwdriver and rag to clean dirt out of the aluminum channel.

Install the new seal

Fold the new rubber into a U shape and slide the T-ends into the tracks, ideally with a helper feeding it while you pull.

Trim the excess

Cut off any excess rubber, leaving about an inch on each side to tuck back in.