5 Best Garage Door Seals of 2020
If you’ve woken up to see the unpleasant sight of a dirty garage, then welcome home! Although we don’t discourage you from conducting cleanliness drives, regular cleaning can become rather tedious. And this is where garage door seals come to the rescue. Not only do they keep debris and water from entering the space, but […] The post 5 Best Garage Door Seals of 2020 appeared first on Homesthetics - Inspiring ideas for your home..
If you’ve woken up to see the unpleasant sight of a dirty garage, then welcome home!
Although we don’t discourage you from conducting cleanliness drives, regular cleaning can become rather tedious. And this is where garage door seals come to the rescue.
Not only do they keep debris and water from entering the space, but they also double up as insulators to help you work in a comfortable environment. After all, what’s better than a garage for an in-house workshop!
So, whether you’re a first-timer, or looking for a replacement, we’re sure that our list will help you find the ideal product for your needs. Also, don’t forget to check out the buyers’ guide section for additional assistance.
Without any further delay, let’s dive in!
Top Garage Door Seals
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Top PickOur Top Pick
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BOWSEN Garage Door Seal |
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M-D Building Products 87668 Garage Door Bottom |
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HOOIMA The 2020 Gray Garage Door Bottom Seal |
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Vat Industries - Universal Weather Stripping Threshold Seal |
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Papillon Universal Garage Door Threshold Seal |
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First up on the list is the Bowsen Garage Door Seal. Made from synthetic rubber, the seal can withstand a wide temperature range for round the year utility. And if you haven’t used a garage seal before, its easy installation won’t make you rack your brain!
- This is BOWSEN brand garage door bottom weatherproofing...
- Easily Cut to fit the desired size of your 8/10/18 Fit...
- Easy to Install and Replace Existing and Old Bottom Weather...
- Seals Out Weather,Blocks water from rain, snow and other...
Why Did We Like It?
For starters, we were impressed with the positive customer feedback. The synthetic rubber construction makes it as durable as the vinyl alternatives, if not better. Moreover, it’s capable of adapting to adverse temperatures, from anywhere between -40 to 240-degree Fahrenheit.
If your garage also doubles up as your workstation, then this feature will help you maintain comfortable working conditions inside.
What appealed to us the most is the seal’s flexibility, which allows you to trim it according to the size of the door. On that note, we should mention that the installation isn’t too difficult either.
Since it doesn’t require fitting screws or nails like some of the other alternatives, first-time users can breathe easy. Simply place the seal into the lubricated retainer, and you are good to go.
Besides, its design makes it compatible with almost any flat bottomed door. In case you have a heater in your garage, this insulating seal will prevent the heat from escaping for better energy efficiency. Overall, we are happy with how this product performs for its price.
What Could’ve Been Better?
Although the installation is quite simple, you may need an extra hand for the process. Due to the thick rubber quality, it becomes difficult for one person to pull the retainer while fitting it on the door. However, this is far from being a deal-breaker, in our humble opinion!
- Prevents water from entering the garage
- Works with both wooden and metal doors
- Heavy duty weatherproof parts
- Also available in 10 and 20-feet variant
- Installing the retainer requires force
Closely following our top pick is this unit from M-D Building Products. Featuring a simple yet effective design, this garage door seal is a suitable option to keep dust, rodents and water from entering the space. What’s more, it retains flexibility at even the lowest temperatures.
- M-D Building Products
- 87668
- Door Weatherstrip & Accessories
- Black
Why Did We Like It?
Vinyl seals are known for their durability, and this product is no exception. But the brand has more to offer for a long service life. Firstly, an aluminum extrusion holds the seal in place, which is corrosion-resistant. Furthermore, the seal itself remains flexible at extremely low temperatures up to -30 degrees. Talk about being winter-friendly!
Coming to its installation, the first step is to fasten the extrusion on the door’s bottom. And for this purpose, the unit comes with a set of high-grade aluminum screws to ensure that the seal stays in place without losing firmness.
We also loved that the aluminum frame comes in fragmented pieces, thereby making portability easy.
Similar to the Bowsen Garage Door Seal, this one can also be used with both wooden and metal roll-up doors. Apart from that, it’s capable of enclosing gaps up to 0.75-inch so that the finer dust particles are kept from entering. Considering its affordable price, there’s nothing more that we could’ve asked for.
What Could’ve Been Better?
There’s some room for improvement in packaging. Because the seal comes wrapped around the metal frame, it took us considerable effort to slide the rubber all the way down to the bottom of the door. As such, we’d suggest straightening it out before installation.
- Lightweight design
- Fits double garage doors
- Self-tapping screws, don’t require pre-drilled holes
- Sturdy
- Bent rubber can be hard to install
For the third pick on the list, we’ve the Hooima Garage Door Bottom Seal. The twin T-ends make it suitable for all garage doors, without compromising on flexibility. Be it for residential or light commercial garages; this one can do it all. Besides, a bonus accessory amps up the appeal of this pocket-friendly unit.
- Rubber Garage Door T-End Tube Bottom Rubber Weather Seal 20...
- Easy conformity whether the floor is even or uneven. Usable...
- Easy installation – The T-End is 5/16” and will work for...
- Keep out rain, bugs, dust, moisture, debris and rodents –...
Why Did We Like It?
First things first, it’s gray color drew our attention at first glance. Unlike the commonly found black seals on the market, this unit renders a distinct look to the garage door, so count the brownie points! Moreover, its rubber construction remains soft and flexible up to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Although the unit measures 20-feet long, you can easily trim the edges to fit your door’s length. We were also impressed with its 3.75-inch height, which makes it suitable for covering the larger gaps. This, in turn, ensures better protection against dirt, pests and water to keep your vehicles safe from damage.
Perhaps its biggest advantage is the 5/16-inch T-ends, which not only reinforces its sealing capability, but also makes it easier to work with uneven floorings. Just use a few drops of dish soap to lubricate the seal and install it on the existing track.
And if all that work leaves you exhausted, cool down with the multi-phone fan attachment that comes with the kit.
What Could’ve Been Better?
We did observe that the seal tends to peel from both ends of the door where it meets the ground. However, we were not too concerned and used the extra rubber for added padding. Also, the T-ends appeared to be a bit rough, which may require added effort for sufficient lubrication.
- Provides tight seal up to 140-degree Fahrenheit
- Waterproof rubber
- Efficient insulation
- Cost-effective
- T-ends require additional lubrication
The penultimate product on the list is a threshold garage door seal from Vat Industries. Its excellent all-whether sealing makes this product a popular choice in the category. If you’re looking for an affordable and user-friendly seal, then this unit might fit your needs.
- KEEP DEBRIS AND WEATHER OUTSIDE OF YOUR GARAGE – This seal...
- EXCELLENT DURABILITY – The EPDM Rubber material is...
- REDUCE YOUR HEATING OR AIR CONDITIONING COSTS – The...
- INSTALLS QUICKLY AND EASILY – Our seals are installed...
Why Did We Like It?
To begin with, the positive feedback helped us put our trust in the product. Without a doubt, the natural EPDM rubber construction accounts for its enhanced durability. Not only can the seal withstand extreme weather conditions, but it can also tolerate being driven over regularly. This is a crucial feature that has been missing in some of its competitors.
We also liked how the unit’s thickness profile works to create an effective barrier for proper insulation. Moreover, the 16 groove pattern maximizes its adhesion to the garage floor, thereby preventing the entrance of dry and moist debris alike. The length is a little over 20-feet to give you extra room for precise installation.
We were happy to see it fully enclose the 1/2-inch gap between our garage door and the floor. When installed properly, the rubber can resist crack and shifts for years to come. For best results, it’s advisable to use an industrial-grade liquid nails caulk. Coat the surface generously before stamping the seal, and let the force of the garage door do its magic!
What Could’ve Been Better?
For its simple design, the overall weight is a bit on the heavier side, which makes portability difficult. But given its durability and heavy duty sealing, we can’t really crib about the thickness of the material.
- Anti-slip
- Can resist heavy traffic flow
- Traps heat for optimum energy efficiency
- Doesn’t emit any strong odor
- Heavy
Our last pick of the day is yet another threshold seal, this time from the house of Papillon. Its versatility makes it ideal for preventing water and pests from entering the garage. Apart from that, the non-toxic rubber material provides this weatherproofing seal strip with optimum durability for long service life.
- 【FLEXIBLE ADJUSTMENT】Up to 20' long ( about 6 meters ),...
- 【SEAL DUSTPROOF INSULATION】The Garage door...
- 【EXCELLENT DURABILITY】Made with Flexible rubber，non...
- 【EASY TO INSTALL】This garage door threshold seals are...
Why Did We Like It?
Similar to its preceding unit, this garage seal also features a heavy duty weatherproof rubber construction, which makes it virtually immune to harsh weather conditions. While we went for the 20-inch long option, the brand also has a 10-inch variant to suit smaller garage doors. Both options can be easily trimmed as per your requirement.
Thanks to its height, the strip can create a tight waterproof seal, making it especially suitable to combat heavy rainfall and waterlogging.
An all-out feature is the fluorescent yellow safety strip, which enhances its visibility in low light conditions. Furthermore, it’s equipped with anti-slip ridges that work equally well for both humans and vehicles. Owing to the quick and easy installing mechanism, you can use any sealant to fix the strip on the floor.
Lastly, the unit has been rigorously tested to ensure that it doesn’t lose its grip even after being driven over by heavy duty vehicles. If you’re a fan of the DIY ways of things, then Papillon garage door bottom seal is worth considering.
What Could’ve Been Better?
It may be useful to know that this unit comes with a slightly expensive price tag. Having said that, the unit performs extremely well to justify its premium pricing, so we don’t mind spending a few extra bucks.
- Prevents heat loss
- Made from eco-friendly rubber
- Minimizes rust-related damage on the door
- Resistant to cracks and shifts
- Expensive
Garage Seal Buyers’ Guide
Agreed that most garage seals don’t require you to spend an exorbitant amount of money, but that doesn’t mean you can pick up any random unit. So that your investment can serve its purpose, we’ve come with some key factors that should drive your purchase decision.
Bottom Seal vs. Threshold Seal
The primary difference between a bottom seal and a threshold seal is its position. While the former can be installed on the bottom of the door, the later can be directly fixed on the floor. As such, you’ll find a bottom seal on almost every garage door. Moreover, the design makes it easier for users to replace the seal when worn out.
In case your garage floor doesn’t have a uniform leveling, we strongly recommend opting for a bottom seal. On the other hand, threshold seals are easier to install with adhesives. So if you’re a first-time user looking for all-round protection, we’d suggest investing in a threshold seal.
Material
From our observation, we can safely conclude that both vinyl and rubber are satisfactorily durable to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. In that sense, you can opt for any material. But if you still need a firm grip, we’d suggest going for a bottom seal with a metal frame. Besides, you can also keep an eye on the temperature range for which the seal retains its flexibility.
Length
No matter the type of seal, we highly recommend measuring the door’s length before buying a seal. And if you’re not too sure about your measurement skills, we suggest choosing a length that’s longer than what’s required. This way, you’ll have some extra inches to cover up for any mistake during installation.
Thickness
It’s a good practice to invest in a seal that is slightly thicker than the gap between the garage’s floor and door, especially for insulation and waterproofing purposes.
Verdict
Garage door seals are an indispensable part of the garage setup. So, if you haven’t bought one already, now is the time! And to help you choose the right product, we’ve shortlisted the 5 best seals on the market.
But before we leave you to take the final call, here’s a quick shoutout to a few of our favorites.
While the Bowsen Garage Door Sealis one of the best bottom seals, the M-D Building Products 87668 comes with an aluminum frame for reinforced grip. The Papillon Universal Garage Door Bottom Threshold Seal is equipped with a yellow safety strip for better visibility.
With this, it’s time for us to call it a day. Hope we’ve done enough to keep your garage safe from all those unwanted intruders. Let us know about your verdict in the comments section below!
Till next time!
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The post 5 Best Garage Door Seals of 2020 appeared first on Homesthetics - Inspiring ideas for your home..
