A garage door seal strip is a rubber, vinyl or PVC strip that closes the gaps around a garage door, most often the strip at the bottom edge against the floor. It is another name for the weatherstripping covered in our weather stripping guide; this page walks through installing one.
Installing a seal strip
- Choose a seal strip sized for your door. Bottom seals commonly range from 8 to 18 feet to match standard door widths.
- Measure your door's width, and the retainer channel if there is one.
- Clean the bottom edge of the door thoroughly.
- Cut the strip to length and fit it into the retainer, or press it into place, following the product's instructions.
- Close the door and check for gaps along the full width.
Keeping it in shape
- Clean off dirt and debris regularly so it seals fully.
- Check twice a year for cracking, tearing or a seal that has come loose.
- Replace it as soon as you see daylight, drafts or water getting through.
Is this a DIY job?
It can be, if the seal instructions allow replacement without disturbing the lifting hardware and the door can be safely secured. Access to the bottom edge can put you under a raised door. Do not rely on the opener alone to support it or loosen cable brackets; have a technician handle an installation that requires working underneath the door.
For the different bottom-seal shapes available, see our bottom seal guide. Need one supplied and fitted? Call (916) 838-8182.
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