When it comes to home maintenance, one area that is often overlooked is the garage. Many homeowners focus on insulating their walls and windows, but fail to consider the importance of draught-proofing their garage door. Draughts can not only make your garage feel cold and unwelcoming, but they can also lead to higher energy bills as heat escapes. In this article, we will explore how you can easily draught-proof your garage door for just a few pounds, allowing you to save money and create a more comfortable space for your belongings.
Understanding the Importance of Draught-Proofing
Draught-proofing your garage door is essential for a number of reasons. Not only will it help to keep your garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, but it can also prevent pests and insects from entering your home. Additionally, draught-proofing can help to reduce noise pollution and create a more secure environment for your belongings.
Common Causes of Draughts in Garage Doors
Before you can effectively draught-proof your garage door, it is important to understand the common causes of draughts. Some of the most common culprits include gaps between the door and the frame, worn weather stripping, and gaps around any windows in the garage door. By identifying these areas, you can take the necessary steps to address them and prevent draughts from entering your garage.
Choosing the Right Draught-Proofing Materials
When it comes to draught-proofing your garage door, there are a variety of materials that you can choose from. Some of the most popular options include foam weather stripping, rubber seals, and brush strips. It is important to select materials that are durable and weather-resistant, as they will be exposed to the elements throughout the year.
Tools You Will Need
Before you begin draught-proofing your garage door, it is important to gather all of the necessary tools. Some of the tools you may need include a tape measure, a utility knife, a screwdriver, and a hammer. Additionally, you may need a ladder or step stool to reach areas of the garage door that are higher up.
Measuring and Assessing the Gaps
The first step in draught-proofing your garage door is to measure and assess the gaps that need to be addressed. Using a tape measure, carefully measure the gaps between the door and the frame, as well as any gaps around windows or other openings. This will allow you to determine the amount of weather stripping or sealant that you will need to purchase.
Replacing Worn Weather Stripping
One of the most common causes of draughts in garage doors is worn weather stripping. Over time, weather stripping can become cracked, torn, or misshapen, allowing draughts to enter your garage. To replace worn weather stripping, carefully remove the old stripping using a utility knife or screwdriver, and then install new weather stripping in its place.
Adding Foam Weather Stripping
Foam weather stripping is a versatile and cost-effective option for draught-proofing your garage door. Foam weather stripping can be easily cut to size and installed along the edges of the door and frame to create a tight seal. This will help to prevent draughts from entering your garage and improve the overall insulation of the space.
Installing Rubber Seals
Rubber seals are another popular option for draught-proofing garage doors. Rubber seals are durable and weather-resistant, making them ideal for use in areas that are exposed to the elements. To install rubber seals, simply measure the length of the seal that you need, cut it to size, and attach it to the edges of the door and frame using adhesive or screws.
Sealing Gaps Around Windows
If your garage door has windows, it is important to ensure that they are properly sealed to prevent draughts from entering. To seal gaps around windows, you can use a combination of foam weather stripping, rubber seals, and caulk. Apply the weather stripping or sealant around the edges of the window to create a tight seal and prevent draughts from entering.
Securing the Bottom of the Door
In addition to sealing gaps around the edges of the garage door, it is important to also address any gaps at the bottom of the door. To secure the bottom of the door, you can install a door sweep or threshold seal. These devices are designed to create a tight seal between the door and the floor, preventing draughts from entering and improving the overall insulation of the space.
Testing for Draughts
Once you have completed draught-proofing your garage door, it is important to test for any remaining draughts. One simple way to do this is to hold a lit candle or incense stick near the edges of the door and frame. If the flame flickers or the smoke moves, it is an indication that there may still be gaps that need to be addressed. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure that your garage door is properly sealed.
Benefits of Draught-Proofing
Draught-proofing your garage door offers a variety of benefits beyond just reducing draughts. By creating a more comfortable and energy-efficient space, you can save money on your energy bills and create a more pleasant environment for storing your belongings. Additionally, draught-proofing can help to extend the lifespan of your garage door and improve its overall performance.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Once you have draught-proofed your garage door, it is important to regularly inspect and maintain the seals and weather stripping. Over time, weather stripping can become worn or damaged, leading to draughts and reduced insulation. By regularly inspecting and replacing worn weather stripping, you can ensure that your garage door remains properly sealed and energy-efficient.
The Source of the Problem: A Gap in the Garage Door
Our home features an integral garage with an up-and-over door, along with a conventional door leading from the garage into the hallway. For years, we’ve noticed that the hallway was consistently colder than the rest of the house. After some investigation, it became clear that the cause was a significant 18mm (3/4-inch) gap beneath the garage door. This gap wasn’t just allowing cold air to seep in but also leaves and rainwater would blow under the door, causing additional issues.
A DIY Fix: Draught-Proofing the Garage Door
Like most homeowners, our initial thought was to look online for a solution. We found several options, including brush bar draught excluders that could be fitted to the bottom of the door. However, while these excluders are affordable, ranging between £10-£20, they require drilling into the door. This wasn’t something we were too keen on, so we decided to explore other options. Enter Brian, with his problem-solving skills.
The next day, Brian had a clever, cost-effective idea: use pipe insulation! While this material is typically used to insulate water pipes, we discovered it could also serve as a perfect seal for our garage door gap. Pipe insulation is made from a firm yet flexible foam material that doesn’t absorb water, making it an ideal candidate for this job.
A Simple, Affordable Solution: Pipe Insulation
Our garage door is 2.1 meters wide, so we needed three 1-meter lengths of pipe insulation, which were priced at just 92p each. In total, this DIY fix cost us under £3—far cheaper than any other draught-proofing methods we found. We selected the 22mm diameter pipe with a foam thickness of 13mm. These dimensions provided enough flexibility to easily fit onto the bottom of the garage door without compromising its ability to open and close.
How to Install the Pipe Insulation
Installing the insulation was incredibly straightforward. The insulation comes pre-slit, but we needed to finish cutting through the foam with a sharp knife to fit it properly onto the garage door. For this, we initially used a Stanley knife but found that a serrated bread knife worked just as well.
Once we prepared the insulation, the rest was easy! We simply slipped the foam over the bottom edge of the garage door. You can do this with the door either open or closed, depending on what is more convenient for you.
We needed only two 1-meter pieces of insulation to cover most of the door’s width. For the small 10cm (4-inch) gap that remained in the middle, we cut a small piece from the remaining foam and placed it there. To ensure this smaller piece wouldn’t slip out, we positioned it in the center, where it butted against the longer pieces on either side. This setup helped keep everything securely in place.
Immediate Results: No More Draught!
The entire installation process took no more than a few minutes, and the results were instantaneous. As soon as the insulation was in place, the draught disappeared! Our hallway, which had previously been 2°C cooler than the rest of the house, was now comfortably warm.
To be honest, I was initially skeptical about Brian’s solution. I didn’t expect the foam to stay attached to the door for long, especially after repeatedly opening and closing the garage door. But to my surprise, the foam hasn’t budged once! It grips onto the door securely and conforms to the slight irregularities in the garage floor, ensuring that no draughts get through.
Why Pipe Insulation Works So Well
There are several reasons why this pipe insulation solution works so effectively:
- No Water Absorption: The foam is designed to repel water, so even when it rains, it won’t soak up moisture, ensuring your garage stays dry.
- Flexibility and Durability: The foam is flexible enough to fit snugly against uneven floors but durable enough to last through multiple seasons of garage door use.
- Ease of Installation: You don’t need any special tools or skills. Simply cut the foam to the right length, slip it over the door, and you’re done.
- Cost-Effective: At under £3, this is by far one of the most affordable solutions for draught-proofing your garage door.
Additional Benefits: Improved Energy Efficiency
Beyond eliminating the cold draught, this quick fix has also made our home more energy-efficient. By stopping the cold air from entering, our heating system no longer has to work overtime to maintain a comfortable temperature. Over time, this will likely result in lower energy bills.
Final Thoughts: An Easy and Effective Fix for Cold Draughts
If you’ve noticed a chill creeping into your home through your garage, don’t hesitate to try this easy DIY solution. Pipe insulation offers an inexpensive, quick, and hassle-free way to block draughts without the need for complicated installations or expensive tools.
Whether your garage is an extension of your home or simply a place to store your car, keeping it sealed from the elements is crucial in maintaining a warm, cozy, and energy-efficient living environment. Give it a try—you might be as pleasantly surprised by the results as we were!