2026-07-18 7 min read
If you've noticed cold air seeping under your garage door or water pooling after rain, your weather stripping and seals are likely failing. A worn bottom seal or threshold damage lets drafts in, drives your heating and cooling costs up, and can damage stored items. The good news: replacing weather stripping and seals is one of the most affordable garage door repairs you can do, and we can handle it the same day you call.
Weather stripping is the rubber or foam material that runs along the sides and top of your garage door. The bottom seal (sometimes called the threshold seal) is a rubber or silicone strip attached to the bottom of the door itself. These components create a tight barrier between your garage and the outside world.
Over time, sun, temperature swings, and repeated opening and closing cause these seals to crack, harden, or peel away. In Burgaw, our coastal humidity and salt air accelerate this wear. When they fail, you lose energy efficiency and invite moisture, pests, and debris inside.
Look for these red flags. Visible cracks or gaps in the rubber material are obvious. If you can see daylight around the edges when the door is closed, your seals are compromised. Feel for drafts by running your hand along the frame on a windy day. Water stains on the floor inside your garage or wet spots after rain point to a failed bottom seal.
You might also notice your garage feeling colder in winter or hotter in summer than it should, even with the door closed most of the time. If your garage is insulated (which we covered in our garage door insulation guide for energy loss prevention), bad seals defeat that investment.
Weather stripping and seal replacement typically costs between $150 and $400 for a single garage door, depending on the door size and seal type. We provide a free estimate so you know the exact cost before we start work.
The job itself is straightforward. We remove the old seal, clean the frame, and install new weather stripping and a new bottom seal. Most jobs take 1 to 2 hours. We can often get you scheduled for same-day service if you call early in the day.
**Need weather stripping & seals in Burgaw today?** Call +1 910 994 0289. we cover same-day service across the area.
You can buy weather stripping kits online for $20 to $60. Some homeowners install them themselves, and it's possible if you're handy. But there's a catch: improper installation leaves gaps and won't seal properly. You'll end up replacing it again in a year or two.
Professional installation ensures the seal is airtight and watertight. We measure precisely, use the right adhesives, and guarantee the fit. Over the lifetime of your door, professional installation pays for itself in energy savings and durability. If your garage door has other issues, like a worn bottom seal paired with opener problems, we can assess everything at once. Check out our services page for a full list of what we offer.
Summer and fall are ideal times to replace seals before winter cold arrives. If you wait until January, you're already losing money on heating costs. Spring is also a good window, especially after our coastal storms can damage threshold seals.
Don't put this off. A single season of a failed bottom seal can cost you $200 to $400 in wasted heating and cooling. The repair itself pays for itself quickly.
If seals are peeling but still mostly intact, sometimes we can re-adhere them with the right adhesive. But if they're cracked, hardened, or missing chunks, replacement is the only real fix. Patching doesn't work on garage door seals the way it might on other weatherproofing.
We'll give you an honest assessment when we arrive. If your seals can be salvaged, we'll tell you. If they need replacement, we'll explain why and show you the cost upfront.
Get a same-day estimate by calling us at +1 910 994 0289 or scheduling online. We'll ask about your door type, any visible damage, and when you'd like service. Most calls are booked within 24 hours.
Weather stripping and seal replacement is not an emergency, but it shouldn't wait. Every week of a failed seal costs you money and lets moisture into your garage. Let Burgaw Garage Doors handle it quickly and affordably.
How long do garage door seals last? Quality weather stripping and bottom seals typically last 5 to 7 years in our coastal climate. Sun exposure, temperature swings, and humidity speed up degradation. Annual inspections help catch wear early.
Can I replace just the bottom seal, or do I need to replace all seals? You can replace seals individually. Many homeowners start with the bottom seal since that's where water damage occurs first. Side and top seals can be done at the same time for better overall protection.
Will new seals improve my garage temperature significantly? Yes, if your seals were badly worn. Combined with an insulated door, new seals can reduce heating and cooling loss by 10 to 15 percent. The savings are most noticeable in winter.
What's the difference between rubber and silicone seals? Silicone seals last longer and stay flexible in cold weather better than rubber. They cost slightly more upfront but require replacement less often. We'll recommend the best option for your situation.
Do I need to do anything to maintain new seals after installation? Keep them clean and inspect them annually. Remove debris from the bottom seal track and avoid harsh chemicals. Proper maintenance extends seal life by 1 to 2 years.