When should I replace the weatherstripping on my garage door and what does it cost in Ottawa?

You should replace your garage door weatherstripping as soon as you notice any drafts, visible daylight around the edges when the door is closed, or water and snow getting underneath during storms. In Ottawa, most garage door weatherstripping lasts three to five years before the cold and constant freeze-thaw cycles break it down. The bottom seal tends to go first because it takes the most abuse from ice, road salt, and physical contact with the ground every time the door closes.

The cost to have all the weatherstripping replaced on a garage door in Ottawa ranges from $150 to $350 depending on the door size and the type of seals used. That breaks down to about $40 to $80 for a bottom seal replacement on a single door, $60 to $120 for a double door bottom seal, and $100 to $200 for the full perimeter including the side and top seals. If you are handy, the bottom seal is a reasonable DIY project that costs $25 to $50 in materials from a building supply store. The side and top seals are also doable but require more precision to get a tight fit.

There are a few different types of bottom seals. The most common in Ottawa is a T-style or bulb-style rubber seal that slides into a retainer channel along the bottom edge of the door. These work well because they compress against uneven garage floors and bounce back. For Ottawa specifically, look for seals made from EPDM rubber or thermoplastic elastomer, both of which stay flexible in extreme cold. Cheaper PVC seals harden and crack after a couple of Ottawa winters.

The side weatherstripping, sometimes called door stop weatherstripping, is a strip of vinyl or rubber that attaches to the door frame and presses against the outside face of the door panels when closed. Over time, these strips compress permanently and stop making a tight seal. You can test them by closing the door on a cold day and holding your hand near the edges. If you feel air movement, the seals need replacing.

The header seal across the top of the door is the one most homeowners forget about, but in Ottawa it matters because warm air rises and escapes through the top gap. A worn header seal can let a surprising amount of heat out of your garage. Replacing it is straightforward and the seal itself costs $15 to $30.

For the best results in Ottawa's climate, replace all the weatherstripping at the same time rather than piecemeal. A full perimeter replacement takes about an hour for a professional and ensures there are no weak points where cold air can sneak in. Time the replacement for early fall, before the first freeze, so the new seals have a chance to settle into position before they are tested by minus 20 degree nights.

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• 613Bins
• JC Carpentry
• Callandgone
• Garage doors unlimited
• Diamond renovations