If your garage floods when it rains—or if you have a problem with rodents getting into your garage even though the door is (seemingly) completely shut — you should check your garage door seals. There are four seals on most garage doors—one on the top, one on the bottom, and one on each side. The seals’ only purpose is to block out rain, wind, and pests, but they often fail after several years of use. The best way to check them is to close the door and cut off the light. If you see light, you should then get a closer look at the areas where it was able to make its way past the seals. If there are not any signs of wear on the seals, then you should seek the advice of a professional. But if the seals appear to be ripped or worn in those areas—or anywhere else for that matter—they should be replaced. That, of course, is a job you can do yourself, so long as you have the right parts. To help you out, we have put together a list of the best garage door seals on the market today.
Best Overall
BOWSEN Garage Door Seals Bottom Weatherproof Weatherstrip
Best Value
M-D Building Products Available 3822 Vinyl Garage Door Top and Sides Seal
Honorable Mention
Papillon Universal Garage Door Bottom Threshold Seal Strip
Best Garage Door Seals Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
BOWSEN Garage Door Seals Bottom Weatherproof Weatherstrip
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Best Value
M-D Building Products Available 3822 Vinyl Garage Door Top and Sides Seal
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Honorable Mention
Papillon Universal Garage Door Bottom Threshold Seal Strip
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Honorable Mention
Universal Garage Door Seal by Txbizzer
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Honorable Mention
Garage Door Bottom Seal by HOOIMA
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Honorable Mention
Eapele Garage Door Threshold Seal
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Honorable Mention
Universal Garage Door Threshold Seal by West Bay
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Honorable Mention
Garadry Door Threshold Seal Kit
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Honorable Mention
16FT Heavy-Duty U Ring Shape Universal Garage Door Bottom Seals
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Honorable Mention
M-D Building Products 87668 18-Feet Universal Aluminum and Rubber Garage Door Bottom
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Honorable Mention
Weatherproof Universal Garage Door Bottom Threshold Seal Strip
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Honorable Mention
Panady Universal Garage Door Bottom Threshold Rubber Seal Strip
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Honorable Mention
10Ft/3M Universal Garage Door Rubber Threshold Strip
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Honorable Mention
Garage Door Seals Bottom Rubber Weather Stripping Kit
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Best Garage Door Seals Buying Guide & FAQs
Now that we listed some of the best rated and most popular garage door seals, it’s time to get to the general information about these useful items. After taking into account all the benefits and features of different garage door seals, you’ll be able to pick the model that suits your garage door perfectly. For that reason, we made a list of all the things you need to know about the topic, from the most common types to the various benefits. Once you get through it, you’ll be able to pick a perfect seal for your garage door.
Why You Need a Garage Door Seal
Garage door seals are beneficial for many reasons. First of all, they prevent the outside elements from entering your garage. Not only can wind blow dust and other debris under your door, but rain and snow can reach the floors and walls in your garage. The excessive amount of water tends to cause moisture, mildew, rust, and corrosion. A garage door seal is there to create a tight fit and prevent elements from reaching the area. Furthermore, these items prevent pollutants from entering your house.
Because they prevent the elements from entering your garage and keep dirt away, garage door seals also keep the place dry and clean. They relieve you from frequent cleanups, making the place tidier as well as more appealing.
Another great thing about garage door seals is that they keep the place warmer and cooler, saving you money in the long run. Garages are known to be colder and warmer than other areas in the house, and it takes quite some time and electrical energy to resolve that issue during the summer or winter. However, with a quality accessory, you can seal the door and significantly change the temperature in your garage.
- Prevent outside elements from entering your garage
- Makes garages dry and clean for longer
- Makes places warmer or cooler
The Most Common Types of Garage Door Seals
Garage door seals might all seem the same, but there are quite some differences between them. Depending on the mount and the materials, there are several types of seals that fit a variety of doors. We break down all the popular types of garage door seals so you can pick the one that works the best for you.
Vinyl Door Stop
These are the most commonly found types. They mount on the side of the door, running along the frame and providing excellent protection against elements. You can mount the vinyl doorstop by nailing it into the wood. This way, the plastic seals tightly to the side of the door and stays on securely.
The only drawback to this type of garage door seal is that the imperfections in construction could create small gaps. If the wood or other material around the door is old or uneven, the seal might not adhere tightly to it. That could leave some room for water or debris to come through.
Bottom Seal
As the name suggests, these install to the bottom of the door, keeping debris and water from coming through the gap near the floor. Garage doors usually come with bottom seals installed, but they tend to deteriorate rather quickly.
When replacing the old item, it’s crucial to pick a proper type of bottom seal, so it can fit into the particular door channel. Depending on the door type, you might need a T-type, J-type, bulb type, or beaded type of door seal.
The main difference between these types is the fact they attach on one to two points and come in different shapes. The beaded and T-types are used on double channel retainers, while bulb and J-types mount on single-channel retainers.
Threshold Seal
A threshold seal is the best model when it comes to protecting the garage from water. It attaches directly to the concrete floor, which means it creates an extremely tight seal. The hard rubber elevates the entrance to the garage and works efficiently in preventing water from entering the area.
Threshold seals also come in many sizes to fit different types of doors. You even get to pick the thickness of the seal so it can withstand the weight of your vehicle. They install easily and last for quite some time.
Brush Seal
Brush seals are very popular and highly efficient. They have thousands of bristles at the seal, preventing hard debris from coming underneath the door. This kind of design makes them very useful for commercial buildings and areas where dust and debris are a concern. Brush seals also fit perfectly under doors that bend and flex, especially under sheet doors and rolling steel doors. However, these are not that effective against water.
Reverse Angle Mount Seal
These make an excellent alternative to brush seals and vinyl door stops. They mount on the sides of the door, making the U-type frame for the door to fit in. This way, reverse angle mount seals create a tight fit for heavy steel doors that screws can’t penetrate.
Although very convenient for garage doors, reverse angle mount seals are a little challenging to install. They are mostly found on commercial buildings that have heavy doors. These seals mount on the top of the door with self-tapping screws or attach directly onto the reverse angle mount track.
Features to Look for in a Garage Door Seal
In order to pick the best garage door seal, it’s crucial to consider several factors before the purchase. Not all door seals are the same. They tend to vary quite a lot in size, shape, and construction. That’s because these items are built to fit different types of doors, from flexible to heavy-duty steel ones. Depending on your garage door type, you’ll need thicker or thinner materials, seals with or without bristles, and more. To help you choose the best type for your application, we listed some of the most important features to consider when buying garage door seals.
Size
The most important thing to keep in mind is that garage door seals are not universal. You’ll need to get the one that is wide enough to fit the door and high enough to provide the necessary protection.
Firstly, you’ll need to measure the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. Secondly, you’ll need to measure the width of the opening. Once you get all the necessary measurements, you can pick a properly sized door seal.
Lastly, consider how thick the seal needs to be. The higher the seal, the more protection it provides against water and other elements. However, make sure it’s not too high so the door can still close properly.
Installation
Garage door seals are easy to install and don’t require professional help. Still, it’s essential to consider the mount type so the seal can fit the door in the first place. You have an option to nail the seals into place or slide them into grooves on a track.
Nail-on seals are mostly used for wooden doors. They take some time to install but are rather secure and durable. On the other hand, if your door has a track, you can easily slide the seal into the existing channel. It’s only crucial to get the seal in the proper size and shape. You even have an option to get a door track separately, and then install the new seals.
Materials
When it comes to garage door seals, it’s also crucial to pick the right materials. Due to high daily abuse, the garage door seals should be made of high-quality materials that will last for a while. That way, you can be sure there won’t be any leaks and avoid making frequent replacements.
Also, the materials should be thick and strong enough to withstand punctures, water, car tire pressure, and more. If the seal turns out to be too soft, it won’t be able to provide enough protection and will loosen up rather quickly. Still, the material should be flexible, so you can open and close the door properly.
Best Garage Door Seals FAQs
After giving you the general introduction and all the necessary information about garage door seals, we also answer some frequently asked questions about the topic. This is just in case you need some extra clarification about the purpose and general application of garage door seals.
Q. How do I install the garage door seal?
A: It depends on the seal type. Some glue directly to the floor or the side of the door, while others need to be nailed or screwed down to the surface.
Q. What is the point of a garage door seal?
A: They prevent water, dirt, and pests from getting through the gaps underneath the door or at the sides of the door frame. The seals also block cold air and moisture.
Q. Is it worth getting a garage door seal?
A: Absolutely, especially if the floor in your garage is uneven or there are small gaps on the sides of your door.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick is the BOWSEN Garage Door Seals Bottom Weatherproof Weatherstrip. It’s a high-quality seal that offers a high level of protection and impressive durability. With it, you can prevent the outside elements from creating mildew, rust, and overall, the mess in your garage. You can also keep the area dry and warm during cold winter days.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the BOWSEN Garage Door Seals Bottom Weatherproof Weatherstrip makes an excellent option for those who are looking for an all-purpose seal.
On the other hand, those who are on a limited budget might want to check out the M-D Building Products Available 3822 Vinyl Garage Door Top and Sides Seal.