Garages are a unique space in any home or building in Indianapolis, IN. They’re utilitarian by design but have the potential to be flexible and multipurpose spaces fit for a variety of functions. However, most have little in the way of insulation and don’t do a great job of maintaining a stable indoor temperature. That can make working in your garage uncomfortable at best, no matter the time of year. The good news is that you don’t have to accept this problem. Here are six different ways you can weatherproof your garage to improve its year-round comfort.
1. Install Garage Door Insulation
Your garage door is used to keep the elements out, but it typically lacks insulation. This is because most garage doors aren’t designed with that purpose in mind. Instead, they exist to offer basic security while being as light as possible. That helps to keep their costs low and their supporting infrastructure durable. That doesn’t mean you can’t insulate your garage door, however.
There are a variety of kits you can purchase to accomplish this job. And there are even a variety of materials you can choose from, depending on your specific needs. Common garage door insulation materials include:
- Rigid foam insulation panels
- Fiberglass batt insulation
- Rockwool batt insulation
- Ceramic batt insulation
Garage door insulation kits typically contain everything you need for installation. This includes pre-cut insulation, a utility knife, adhesive or installation clips, and even a mask, if necessary. After installing your insulation of choice, you can expect your garage to be warmer by about 12 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also expect a cooler garage in the winter because the insulation will prevent your garage door from radiating heat to the inside of your garage.
2. Apply Caulking
One of the most important goals of a garage weatherproofing effort is to prevent outside air from seeping into your garage. This means finding and sealing up any cracks around your garage door and its windows, if you have any. The simplest way to do this is by sealing the openings with caulk.
For small cracks, you can run a bead of caulk to seal them up. If you find any bigger cracks, you can use filler rope, grip strips, or backer foam to fill them. Then, you can caulk over the top of those materials to complete your seal. Just be careful not to get any caulk on any of the moving parts of your garage door.
3. Install or Upgrade Garage Doorstop
Most garage doors feature a type of molding that’s installed along their top and sides. It’s slightly flexible and meant to seal up against the doorframe to keep the elements out. If yours doesn’t have any, adding some will go a long way toward weatherproofing your garage.
If your garage door does have doorstop strips installed, you should inspect them for damage and replace any sections with cracks or missing pieces. Even if your garage door’s doorstop isn’t damaged, you should look for signs of a poor seal against the doorframe. If you see light coming through or feel a breeze, upgrade to a better-quality doorstop.
4. Replace Your Garage Door Sweep
The next thing you can do to weatherproof your garage is to examine your garage door’s sweep and replace it if necessary. A garage door sweep is the rubber or silicon gasket material installed along the bottom edge of your garage door. Its job is to create a seal against the ground when the door closes to keep the elements out.
Over time, garage door sweeps can get deformed or damaged due to the constant weight of the door bearing down on them. You may even have pests that try to chew through this material to gain access, which causes damage. This damage can compromise the ability of your sweep to form a tight seal. On most garage doors, you can remove the sweep by pulling it out of its channel from one side of your garage door. Then, you can install the new one by lubricating the channel with a few drops of dish soap and sliding the new sweep into place.
If you have a wooden garage door, there’s a good chance that its sweep is nailed into place. To replace it, you must remove the nails. Then, you must clean the bottom edge of the door, seal it with sealant, and run a bead of caulk along it. That way, when you nail the new sweep in place, it will form a seal against both the door and the ground.
5. Seal All Switches and Outlets
Whether your garage walls have insulation or not, there are typically one or more places where air seeps through them. This is typically in the gaps inside and around your electrical switches and outlets. The simplest way to solve this problem is to remove the switch plates covering your switches and outlets. Then, install pre-cut foam insulation inserts before replacing the switch plates. While it won’t seal your switches and outlets completely, it should prevent the majority of drafts and air leakage from coming into your garage.
6. Seal Your Garage Floor
Most garages have concrete floors since it’s a durable material that can stand up to vehicles parked on top of them. However, bare concrete is often cold and can deteriorate quickly from water and road salts brought indoors from your vehicle. To prevent any damage, it’s a good idea to weatherproof your garage floor by applying a coat of waterproof paint, crystalline waterproofing, or epoxy to it.
The simplest option is waterproof paint, which you can apply yourself, assuming your garage’s concrete floor is in good condition. However, this is a solution that won’t last forever. You will need repeated applications over the years to maintain your waterproofing. The same goes for epoxy, which is a bit harder to apply by yourself. However, it lasts considerably longer.
If you opt for a crystalline waterproofing agent, you’ll likely need some professional help. In exchange, you’ll get a permanent waterproofing solution for your garage floor that you don’t have to worry about reapplying. You can even apply a layer of insulation and a wood overlay over your concrete floor once you’ve waterproofed it for even better comfort and temperature control inside your garage.
Your Local Garage Door Specialists
For over 14 years, Garage Door Doctor has offered high-quality garage door services to homes and businesses in the greater Indianapolis area. We install, repair, and maintain all types of residential and commercial garage doors. We can even help you weatherproof your existing garage door or recommend and install a replacement that will do a better job of keeping the elements out. Plus, we provide same-day service appointments and offer 24/7 emergency services for when you have a garage door problem that can’t wait.
If you need a garage door service you can trust in Indianapolis, call our team at Garage Door Doctor today.