6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types (2024)

Home Rooms Garage

6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types (1)

ByChris Deziel

Updated: Jul. 11, 2024

    Think of the bottom seal as weatherstripping for your garage door. It keeps out cold air and rain and maintains a comfortable climate in the garage.

    Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.

    6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types (2)LEX20/GETTY IMAGES

    Most homeowners understand the need for weatherstripping doors and windows to prevent heat transfer and lower energy bills. But you may not realize it’s just as important for the garage door, particularly the bottom.

    When I was younger, I used our family garage as a workshop. The wind whipping through the bottom of the door made it impossible to work there in the winter unless I stuffed rolled-up towels in the gap. A new bottom seal would have done the job more efficiently.

    If you can see daylight between the garage flooring and the bottom of the door when it’s closed, you’re probably experiencing one or more of the following problems:

    • The garage is much colder in the winter than it should be;
    • The garage floor gets wet when it rains or snows, even icy during the winter;
    • The garage humidity is really high, making your garden tools rust;
    • You can’t seem to keep rats and mice under control, and they’re getting from the garage into the house.

    Garage door bottom seals are usually made from vinyl or rubber, and they do wear out. If you have an older garage door, it’s possible part of the seal is intact while another is cracked, allowing air and water to pass through.

    Replacing a worn seal is a straightforward DIY job as long as you disconnect the door from the automatic opener, open it halfway and clamp it to the rails. Plus, you have to get the right seal. That depends on the thickness of the door and the condition of the garage floor.

    It also depends on whether the door comes with a retainer, i.e. a metal or PVC bracket that attaches to the underside. Tracks hold the bottom seal to the door. If the door lacks a retainer, you can install one yourself. If the existing retainer is damaged, replace it.

    You can usually order a new bottom seal specifically designed for your door from the manufacturer. If you don’t know the brand, there are many generic options.

    Here are the most common types of garage door bottom seals.

    6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types (9)VIA MERCHANT

    Self-Adhesive Weatherstrip Garage Door Bottom Seal

    Like a sweep for your front door, a self-adhesive weatherstrip attaches to the bottom of the door on the outside. When the door closes, the rubber seal presses against the pavement and splays outward to make the seal.

    This type of weatherstripping works best for wooden canopy and retractable doors that swing out and up when you open them. You can also use this on sectional and rolling doors.

    There are easy to install. Close the door, position the strip, peel off the backing, stick it in place and drive screws to hold it on permanently.

    U-Shaped Beaded Garage Door Bottom Seal

    The U-shaped beaded door seal is a flat piece of rubber or vinyl with beaded edges. It fits into tracks on a retainer installed on the bottom of the door. The strip is wider than the door’s thickness. Fitting it into the retainer tracks creates a U shape that compresses against the pavement when the door is closed.

    This type of garage door bottom seal works well on uneven pavement, because the material is flexible enough to fill depressions. It is available in widths from three to six inches, and you can compensate for deep depressions by choosing a wider strip.

    It requires a matching retainer that’s standard on metal doors from some manufacturers, but may have to be installed on other doors.

    6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types (11)VIA MERCHANT

    Bulb-Shaped Garage Door Bottom Seal

    A bulb-shaped bottom seal, aka a tube seal, is a length of rubber or rubberized vinyl formed into a closed loop with a circular or oval cross-section. A channel on the top of the loop fits into a corresponding track in a retainer affixed to the bottom of the door.

    This type of seal flattens against the pavement when the garage door is closed, effectively sealing out the elements. It’s similar to the action of a beaded seal. But because it only requires a single track, it’s best for doors that already have that kind of retainer. For two-track retainers, you can find a bulb-shaped seal to fit that.

    6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types (12)VIA MERCHANT

    T-Style Garage Door Bottom Seal

    Almost every outlet that sells garage door seals lists T-style as an option. This refers to the shape of the channel that fits into the track on the retainer. The T-style cross-section makes the seal watertight and prevents it from moving laterally and interfering with the operation of the door.

    Both bulb-shaped and U-shaped beaded seals come with rounded and T-shaped channels. If you have an existing retainer, be sure to check the shape of the tracks before you buy the door bottom sealer, because rounded and T-style tracks aren’t interchangeable.

    J-Style Bottom Garage Door Bottom Seal

    A J-style bottom seal fits into a single-track retainer. It consists of a flap that bends to form a shape like the letter “J” when the door is closed. Some versions have two flaps; one bends toward the outside of the door, and one toward the inside.

    This type provides good protection from rain and wind. Because it often comes with its own retainer, it’s a good option for a wooden garage door without one. The retainer width must match the door thickness. You install it by fitting it onto the bottom of the door, then nailing or screwing it to the outside.

    6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types (14)VIA MERCHANT

    Garage Door Threshold Seal

    Sometimes the floor underneath the garage door is too uneven for a bottom seal to close all the gaps. A good remedy is a garage door threshold seal on the floor.

    Usually made of rubber or vinyl, the threshold elevates in the middle and tapers off on both sides. It’s tough enough to withstand vehicular traffic. When installed correctly, it effectively seals the bottom of the door all by itself. It’s more effective when used with a bottom seal.

    It’s even easier to install a threshold than a door seal. Cut it to length, position it, mark the outline, spread adhesive in the outline and set the threshold in the adhesive. Seat it firmly with a few taps with a hammer.

    Originally Published: October 04, 2023

    Author

    Chris Deziel

    Chris Deziel is a freelance service journalist who worked in landscaping and home improvement for more than thirty years. He has published over 10,000 how-to and expository pieces on home improvement and nature topics since he began writing in 2010. Deziel lives and works in an off-grid home in California where he enjoys recording original music an...

    Read More

    6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types (15)

    6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types (2024)

    FAQs

    6 Garage Door Bottom Seal Types? ›

    Bottom Seal

    To begin, let us look at the different design options. J-Type: garage door bottom seal seal j-type are J-shaped rubber seals used with single track retainers. When the door is closed the seal will form two J letter shapes. Beaded: T-shaped seals used in double channel retainers that have circular grooves.

    Are there different types of garage door bottom seals? ›

    Bottom Seal

    To begin, let us look at the different design options. J-Type: garage door bottom seal seal j-type are J-shaped rubber seals used with single track retainers. When the door is closed the seal will form two J letter shapes. Beaded: T-shaped seals used in double channel retainers that have circular grooves.

    What is the best way to seal the bottom of a garage door? ›

    Bottom Weatherstripping

    Also known as a door sweep, bottom weatherstripping is a common way to seal a garage door. This rubber seal attaches to the bottom of your garage door and compresses to fill gaps between the door and the floor. Garage door weatherstripping is available in rolls from most home improvement stores.

    What is the difference between vinyl and rubber garage door bottom seal? ›

    Difference between vinyl and rubber. The vinyl seal is going to be a little bit stiffer than the rubber seal. The rubber seal is going to be slightly better for extreme hot and cold temperatures. Both seals have ribs on the one side to help keep out the dust, dirt and water.

    How do I know what size garage door seal I need? ›

    All you need to do to pick the correct height of the seal is to measure the largest gap between the garage door and floor.

    What are the 6 types of garage doors and how to choose one? ›

    Six Types of Garage Doors
    • Sectional Garage Doors. Sectional garage doors are the most popular in the United States. ...
    • Roll-Up Garage Doors. ...
    • Slide to the Side Garage Doors. ...
    • Side-Hinged Garage Doors. ...
    • Tilt-Up/Up and Over Canopy Garage Doors. ...
    • Tilt-Up/Up and Over Retractable Garage Doors.

    Can the rubber seal at bottom of garage door be replaced? ›

    Some garage doors could be 2 inch wide but there are others that are wider. Some garage doors in an uneven pavement may need a wider bottom seal so they spread out on the uneven cement. Once you've identified the above, you can now buy and install a replacement bottom seal.

    Which is better vinyl or rubber? ›

    What is the difference between rubber and vinyl flooring? Rubber floors are made of biopolymer rubber and are generally sturdier and more durable than vinyl floors. Vinyl flooring is made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and is softer and more flexible than rubber flooring. Vinyl is also generally already more polluting.

    What do you call the rubber at the bottom of the garage door? ›

    Think of the bottom seal as weatherstripping for your garage door. It keeps out cold air and rain and maintains a comfortable climate in the garage.

    When should I replace the bottom seal on my garage door? ›

    You can see if your bottom weather stripping needs to be changed if it's cracked, dried out, discoloured or droopy. There are different types of weather seals for the bottom part of your door. Take a look at them here. The bottom weather seal could also break if there is water accumulation under the garage door.

    How tight should a garage door seal be? ›

    Test if the weatherstripping is installed to tight or to lose is: Run the door up and down manually with your hand. If you can open and close the door without having to push or pull to hard, it is not binding the door. Therefore is not too tight.

    How long does it take to install a garage door seal? ›

    Introduction: How to Install Garage Door Replacement Seal.

    This project takes me an average of 90 minutes - I've done a few for friends and myself. It's more tedious than difficult, and the tools you need depend on the old seal you're removing. Typically I need: Light work gloves.

    How do you install a bottom threshold seal on a garage door? ›

    Starting at one end, place the threshold seal in position on top of the adhesive and press down firmly. Continue along the length of the threshold seal, pressing down firmly and ensuring good contact in all areas. Take care to keep the threshold seal positioned correctly within the lines marked previously.

    How often do you need to replace the bottom seal on a garage door? ›

    If garage door weather seals are installed correctly, of sufficient quality, and maintained thoroughly, they should last for up to 10 years. That said, there are a number of different factors that can influence how long a garage door seal will last.

    What is the difference between rubber and foam door seals? ›

    Foam gap seals are self adhesive and come in multiple sizes to seal small to extra large gaps. Rubber gap seals are also self-adhesive, made from durable EPDM rubber and come with a 10 year warranty. These seals will not freeze or crack in temperatures down to -40 F and work best on medium to extra large gaps.

    What is the seal at the bottom of a door called? ›

    Door bottoms, also called door sweeps, are an inexpensive and effective way to increase draft protection in your home. Door sweeps and bottoms are attached to the bottom of your door to provide a physical barrier, typically rubber, against cold that could seep through the crack between the door bottom and floor.

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Recommended Articles
    Article information

    Author: Edwin Metz

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5646

    Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

    Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Edwin Metz

    Birthday: 1997-04-16

    Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

    Phone: +639107620957

    Job: Corporate Banking Technician

    Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

    Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.