Impact of Weather on a Garage Door
When the temperature rises, it carries over to the garage door.
The weather has a surprisingly big impact on how garage doors perform. As the scorching heat of summer gradually goes away and gets replaced by the chills of winter, protecting garage doors takes a different approach for different challenges.
Let's break down how different weather impacts a garage door and what to do to keep it in top shape.
Summer's effect
When the temperature rises, it carries over to the garage door. Intense heat expands objects, which applies to the garage door's materials. The expansion might make the door misaligned or warped, especially if it's wooden. The heat also dries out lubricants, so the door's moving parts must work harder and, thus, wear out faster. Not only are these troubles a headache in summer, but they also worsen the situation in winter.
To combat the summer heat and prepare for colder winter days, check the door's alignment and apply lubricant to moving parts. Install a garage door insulation kit to keep the wild temperature fluctuations at bay.
Winter woes
Cold weather can destroy garage doors as much as extreme heat. The drop in temperature may make metal components contract, which makes the door stiffer and harder to open. Lubricants on the mechanical parts also thicken. Rubber seals might also harden and crack, leading to drafts and degraded insulation.
Luckily, it's not difficult to avoid this: replace worn seals and apply silicone lubricant before winter hits to keep parts moving as they should. The cold temperatures might create misalignment, so check the door's balance and alignment.
Rain and humidity
Rain and high humidity bring moisture into parts of the garage door system that should stay dry. The moisture can then lead to rust on metal parts and swelling in wooden doors. Over time, the door will show the consequences of this moisture intrusion in functionality and looks.
The door should drain well and have effective weather stripping. Inspect for rust or water damage and fix these issues immediately.
Wind and storms
High winds, especially during storms, may physically damage the garage door. Flying debris can dent or break panels; the door can slip off its tracks in extreme cases as the wind blows it. Heavy rain can exploit the weakness in the door's seals and cause leaks and water damage in the garage.
Install a bracing system for the door, and check under it after every storm to find potential damage.
Weather-proof the garage doors
The weather makes a considerable difference in a garage door's functionality. The door deserves care and maintenance to stand strong in any weather. Talk to a garage door installer to learn more about how to weatherproof the door and when to replace it once the time comes.
Quality Overhead Door, Inc. is a full-service garage door installation and repair company for both residential and commercial customers in the GIlbert area 480-838-8850.
