7 Tips for Winterizing Your Garage

The first day of winter is quickly approaching, and in some areas of the country it feels as though it has already arrived. As the temperature and the snow both begin to fall, it is a good idea to start preparing your garage for the chilly months ahead. Here are some tips to make sure your garage is winter ready!

1) Insulating your Garage Door

If you don’t have an insulated garage door you might consider installing insulation or upgrading your door with an insulated version (see our Therma Tech line of doors). A lot of heat can be lost across the garage door surface if it is not insulated, which can raise your heating bill if your garage is attached to the house.

2) Insulating your Garage Walls

Having an insulated garage will make a tremendous difference in keeping the cold out as the temperature drops. Especially if you plan on working in your garage throughout the winter months, this is a must! This is a project you can definitely take on yourself, but it will probably save you a lot of time and headaches hiring a professional to do it instead.

3) Organization

Keeping your garage organized can be difficult at times, but it is necessary. You don’t want to have to dig through all of your summer/spring items in order to find winter gear like snow shovels, window scrapers, faucet covers, holiday lights/décor etc. Taking a weekend or two to organize your garage will provide you with peace of mind and a much more efficient space.

4) Checking/Replacing your Weather Stripping

Inspect the rubber weather stripping at the bottom of your door for cracks, holes or gaps. If you spot any of these, now would be the best time to replace it.

5) Threshold Weather Seal Installation

If you want your garage door seal to be super tight, you can install a threshold weather seal on the ground where your door makes contact. This will keep out rain, drafts and any little creatures that can squeeze under your normal garage seal.

6) Gas-powered tools

Whether you park your gas-powered tools in the garage for the winter or the shed, they will need to be winterized. Make sure you run them until all gas is used in the tank, drain the oil, replace any parts that need it and give them a good cleaning. This way all of your tools will be ready to go when the snow melts.

7) Pack up the patio furniture

If you haven’t done it already, it is time to move the patio furniture into the shed or garage until the time comes to use them again. Make sure they are cleaned, dried and disassembled if needed (be sure to put the small parts in a bag and attach them to the furniture).

Hopefully these tips act as a reminder to start prepping your garage for the winter. If you need any help with your garage door throughout the fall and winter months, check out our Dealer Locator to find a reputable dealer near you!