How to Install a Garage Door Weather Seal

If the bottom weather seal on your garage door is cracking or not making a tight seal to the ground, it's time to replace it. Replacing your garage door bottom seal — sometimes called a garage door seal (or garage door sweep) — is one of the easiest and most effective ways to block drafts, debris, and pests. This guide will help you choose the right seal for your door and install it properly.

Why Should You Replace or Install a Weather Seal

If you’ve ever felt air blowing through the cracks in a shut door, you know closed does not equal sealed. Weather seals act as a protective barrier between the garage door and the garage floor that can help lower utility bills and keep your space clean from unwanted visitors and dirt.

What to Know Before Installing a Garage Door Weather Seal

Check the State of Your Retainer

Before installing your new seal, determine if you also need to replace your garage door seal retainer — the metal strip on the bottom of the garage door that has a track for the weather seal. If the track is rusty, coming apart from the door, or not sealing properly, it’s recommended to replace it while installing your new garage door seal to provide the best seal and avoid more hassle later.

If your garage door seal retainer needs replaced, Universal Weather Seal Kits are a great choice. These seal kits have everything you need for easy installation — heavy duty retainer, coordinating garage door seal, and mounting screws.

Determine Which Seal Style You Need

When buying a replacement weather seal, you’ll need to know the length, width, and style for your door. To find your seal length, measure the width of the garage door — don’t rely on the existing seal length, as it may have shrunk. To measure the width, lay the seal flat and take your measurement. To determine the seal style you need, look at the top of the seal where it fits into the retainer to see if you need a T-End, P-Bulb, or Bead-End Seal. The seal style must match the retainer, or the seal won’t fit.

T-End Seals:The most common seal — features a flat, T-shaped top. Be sure to measure the top of the T to find the correct size.

P-Bulb Garage Door Seals: Shaped like the letter P and made from durable vinyl.

Bead-End Weather Seals: Easy to install and built for durability.

Gather Your Tools and Supplies

Before you start installation, make sure you have the following tools and supplies:

• New garage door weather seal
• Optional new retainer and self-tapping screws
• Socket wrench or screwdriver
• Bucket of warm water
• Tape measure
• Rag
• Concentrated dish soap (like Dawn)
• Strong scissors
• Extra person to assist

How to Replace Your Old Garage Door Weather Seal

1. Lift the garage door and remove the retainer using a socket wrench or screwdriver. Pull the old seal out of the track and discard it.

2. If installing a new retainer, measure the door’s width and cut the retainer to size. Cut off the edges of the retainer as needed for a proper fit. Use a hacksaw for cutting and file down any sharp edges.

3. Clean the retainer track with a rag and soapy water to remove any residue. This helps during installation of the new seal.

4. Squeeze a small amount of dish soap into the track to lubricate it. Feed the new seal into the track (with the ridges facing outward) while your helper pulls it through.

5. Cut off any excess seal material using scissors. If you have end caps, install them at this time.

6. To secure the retainer to the door, apply self-tapping screws at both ends and every foot along the track. Use a power drill to fasten them securely.

Now you have a new garage door bottom seal to help keep out rodents, drafts, and dust. Nice job!

How Long Do Weather Seals Last

The life expectancy of a weather seal depends on weather conditions and material, but five years is a good general estimate. To make your seal last longer, clean and wipe the contact area once or twice a year and check for cracks or wear. Not sure if your garage door seal needs to be replaced? Check out these 7 signs it’s time to replace a garage door weather seal.

Go Further with Action Direct

Still curious about the benefits and garage door bottom seal types we offer? Check out our guide to the best garage door seals for extreme weather.

Need Help?

Our in-house experts can help you find the perfect garage door seal and retainer for your needs. Contact our team or shop weather seals now.