Winter weather can be rough on the exterior of your home. From the formation of ice dams on your roof to cracks in vinyl siding from extreme cold, there are a lot of things a homeowner has to be prepared for when the temperature outside starts to drop. One thing you might not have considered in the past, though, is how to winter-proof your garage door. The information in this brief article will help you get your garage door ready for the coldest season of the year.

Insulate your garage door.

Garage doors generally lose a great deal of heat due to simple science; conduction causes them to lose warmth quite quickly. This means that your garage is likely to feel almost as cold as the outdoors, which can be especially unpleasant in sub-zero temperatures. The best way to deal with this problem is to have your garage door insulated. Foam board insulation is the most popular choice for this task and should, for best results, be installed by a professional who has prior experience with garage door insulation.

Buy brand new weather stripping.

Even if you already have weather stripping around your garage door, updating it is an excellent idea. Inexpensive weather stripping is typically sufficient, but it should be should be changed on a regular basis to avoid wear. Although weather stripping isn’t particularly difficult to install, having a professional do it can increase its efficiency and make sure it is done correctly. Some experts have special techniques they use to make weather stripping as effective as possible.

Use caulk around the entire door.

Caulking the entire area around your garage door is among the most cost-effective winterizing tactics you can employ. This process is not much different than caulking around a standard interior door, but if you are concerned about doing it correctly, don’t hesitate to have an expert perform the task for you.

Always remember, the best way to keep your garage door in good working order all year long is to have regular professional maintenance performed on it. Having a standing annual inspection and, depending on the weather where you live, an additional winterizing appointment can go a long way toward reducing your household energy bills and ensuring you don’t have to pay for potentially costly garage door repairs. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled technicians, contact A-1 Fleet Door Services today!