Put Garage Door on List of Winterizing Projects

Here are some tips to help get your garage door ready for the cold.

Keep the Heat In

Keeping the garage warm in the winter doesn’t have to be a challenge. The easiest way to trap heat in and keep cold air out is with a weather seal. If you see a gap between the bottom of the garage door and the driveway when the door is closed, it's time to replace the stop.

Bottom weather seal

If cold living spaces above or next to the garage are an ongoing problem, upgrade to an energy efficient garage door. Replacing an older garage door with a new, insulated model can reduce energy loss through the garage by up to 71%, according to a comparison study conducted by Clopay engineers.

Since attached garages typically share one or two common walls with the house, any hot or cold that travels through a door will ultimately affect the adjacent living areas.

An insulated garage door can help stabilize temperatures in the garage to reduce heat losses or gains and keep an unheated garage 10 to 20 degrees warmer on a cold winter day.

Smooth Operator

Regardless of its age, your garage door should open and close smoothly. If it doesn’t, the spring system may be out of balance.

Visually inspect hardware for wear and tear. Look for bent or loose hinges, broken wheels, bent shafts or worn out bearings on steel rollers, and bent or misaligned track. Tighten or replace loose or missing bolts on the door and track supports.

The bottom brackets, cables, pulleys and springs are under great tension and should ONLY be repaired by a garage door professional.

Clean and Lubricate Hardware to Get Rid of the Noise

Use a clean rag to remove any debris, grease or dirt build-up from the track. Lubricate all moving parts of the door (hinges, metal rollers and track) with 3-in-1oil. Never use heavy oil or grease. DO NOT LUBRICATE nylon rollers, plastic idler bearings or locks. Use graphite to keep locks in operational condition.

Surface Cleaning

Wash steel and aluminum door surfaces with a mild household detergent and rinse with water. In harsh coastal environments, applying car wax to a painted steel door surface will help maintain its finish.

Remove Rust

Visible rust or flaking paint on a steel door indicates that moisture is taking its toll. Sand the rust, apply a zinc-rich primer, and paint with a quality exterior latex.

Need Service?

Use Clopay’s dealer locator to contact a professional garage door service technician in your area.