Garage Door Threshold
Are you in the market for a new threshold for your garage door, or maybe you would like to replace your existing one? Let us help you determine what you need and what to shop for.
Depending on the age and type of garage door that you currently have, you may either have a garage door threshold or a garage door seal, two different items serving the same function.
While both products perform their job well, the difference will become apparent when it comes time for replacement. Both of these products will wear out over the years and begin to show signs of wear and tear.
Garage Door Threshold or Garage Door Seal?
There are obvious differences between a threshold and a seal, use the information below to determine which type you have.
Garage Door Threshold - Take a look at any exterior door on your house and chances are that you will see a threshold. The threshold is the metal or wood piece that runs across the bottom of the door jam. This piece raises up the ground level, stopping water from flowing under the door.
Some garages will have a threshold in place. Years of driving over them and bad weather can cause them to become warped, damaged and deteriorated. Once the metal bends or warps, it will begin to allow dirt and water in to your garage.
Garage Door Seal - Rather than being attached to the ground, much like a threshold, a garage door seal is the rubber piece attached to the underside og your garage door. When the door comes down to the closed position, it pushes down on that rubber forms a seal underneath the garage door.
Weather is often the contributing factor in damaged garage door seals. Over time they become cracked and brittle causing them to lose their seal.
How to Tell if Your Threshold Needs Replacement
An often tell-tale sign of a bad threshold is seepage. If you find water and debris making its way under your garage door, its probably time for a new threshold or seal. Try inspecting the threshold for any warpage or visible damage.
Sometimes, repair may be as simple as tightening a screw. The vibration of driving your car over the threshold can cause the screws to become loose over time. Check all of the screw locations to make sure that each one is tight and in place.
Replacing Your Garage Door Threshold
There are two main factors to consider when replacing your threshold. Width and thickness. Replacement thresholds come in a variety of different thicknesses, four, five and six inch being quite common.
The width of course relates to the width of your garage door. Thresholds are often sold in stock widths and will need to be cut down to fit your unique garage door.
New thresholds can be found online at a number of garage door harware retailers. In addition, you can sometimes find the rubber thresholds at your local autoparts store.