If it is always cold and drafty in your garage during the winter, you probably rely on space heaters or heat pumps to keep your space comfortable when you are working in your garage. Homeowners who spend a lot of time in the garage will notice spikes in their bills during the winter, especially if they are using large space heaters to keep the garage at a comfortable temperature. Regardless of what you're doing in your garage, you probably want to keep it as warm and comfortable as possible without spending an arm and a leg running your heating devices. This article explains two of the best ways to increase the insulation and energy efficiency of your garage doors.

Adding Weatherstripping

One of the biggest problems with the garage doors and other hydraulic hangar doors is that they often are not airtight, even when they are closed. As a result, cold air can't stream in between the cracks and gaps between the panels, significantly cooling down the inside of your garage. This is where adding weatherstripping can be a very cheap and effective solution.

Garage door manufacturers often sell weatherstripping that can go in between the individual panels on overhead garage doors. The weatherstripping is only on the inside, so it is not visible from the outside. The weatherstripping is designed to overlap as the garage door opens and closes, so it doesn't effect the actual operation of your garage.

The special piece of weatherstripping (sometimes called a "sweep") that goes on the bottom panel can also wear down, crack,  and become completely ineffective over the years. This is why it is very common for homeowners to feel stronger drafts coming in from the bottom of their garage, even when it is closed. This also poses the problem of allowing rodents and dirt into your garage. So, make sure you buy and install a special bottom piece which will significantly seal and insulated your garage.

Weatherstripping replacement is cheap and easy DIY work. Most products are adhesive, so they can be attached without any tools. Some products can be screwed to the panels, but it depends on what panel material you have. For instance, screwing weatherstripping into thin aluminum, vinyl, or hardwood panels will all require different screw types.

As you can see, weatherstripping is a cheap and easy solution for a garage that is drafty. It is a great investment for those who spend a lot of time in their garage.