Always wondered why there was that cold draft seeping into your home despite all the windows and doors being closed? Or it may be that your air conditioning does not seem like it’s operating at optimal temperatures during those hot summer days.
You may not suspect it, but your garage door is most likely the culprit. We have come up with a simple guide on why you should weatherproof your garage and how to minimise the harsh Australian elements sneaking into your home.
Shielding against the elements
In conjunction with your weather seal, a storm shield is designed to fill in the gaps which can be caused by uneven surfaces and places where your weather seal can’t reach. The shield aims to block wind, rain, snow, dirt, and unwanted critters and insects.
Each year Perth seems to get colder with temperatures reaching below freezing in 2017 – by effectively sealing your garage door, it will help reduce the amount of heat escaping your home and ultimately reduce your heating bills, and vice versa when keeping cool in summer.
Weather stripping
Weather seals are installed around the perimeter of your garage door and along the bottom. The seals are made from rubber and PVC and aim to block out moisture and cold air, rain and snow, and insects or rodents from penetrating your garage. Just like a storm shield, weather seals aid in reducing heating and cooling costs, reduce exterior noise and prevents that annoying windy whistling noise by closing the gaps.
Depending on your location – if you were in Melbourne this summer I am sure you would have felt the heat, I recommend replacing your seals every 2-5 years as harsher weather causes faster deterioration. Replacing weather stripping can be quite easy, simply remove the existing seals and ensure the nails have been taken out. Cut the relevant pieces to fit into corners and sides and nail (weather seal set should come with its own set of nails) in seals making sure the garage door opens and closes smoothly.
Insulate to regulate
Insulation is one of the key elements in keeping the cold air out and the warm air in. Just like the insulation in the walls and roof of your home, your garage door and walls require the same treatment considering it’s the biggest entrance into your home.
By insulating your garage door you help minimise your heating and cooling costs, create a warmer environment for those who use the space as a workshop and reduce the amount of exterior noise penetrating the home. Read our article on garage insulation or look at our insulated garage doors if you would like to find out more.
If you’re looking to keep your house cooler this summer and for a whole lot less, contact Gryphon Garage Doors, Perth.
We stock garage door insulation panels and door seals with a thermal value of R1.47, effectively reducing heat loss and heat gain, and giving you a more energy efficient home. All panels are 100% Australian made and can be retro-fitted and customised to suit any door.
Regular maintenance
Just like any other part of your home, regular maintenance is going to be the key in keeping your garage intact. Over the years wear and tear will eventually settle in and you will start to notice dents, scratches, and gaps where the weatherproofing has worn out.
If the damage is beyond repair then you may have to consider replacing your garage door entirely as a last resort. Gryphon Garage Doors offers a wide selection of garage doors, sourcing their steel from Colorbond where it has been tested in some of the harshest environments in Australia.
We offer a wide range of insulations solutions for your garage door, contact us today for more information or to organise a free on-site visit.
