Cleaning and Caring for Wood and Metal Garage Doors

It's easy to take a functioning garage door for granted. Without occasionally cleaning it and performing a few basic maintenance tasks you're likely to wind up with a major repair bill. When garage doors are neglected for too long, they sometimes even need to be replaced. The good news, though, is that caring for and cleaning a garage door is simple. Wood garage doors require a bit more care, but even so, they're easy to maintain too.

A Special Note about Wood Garage Doors

Most garage door care and cleaning tips apply equally to wood and metal models. However, there are a few special things to keep in mind regarding wood garage doors. Above everything else, they need to be finished properly. Film finishes like varnishes and paints look great at first, but they don't tend to withstand the elements too well. It's far better to finish a wood garage door with a penetrating finish like oil or a stain. Prior to finishing your garage door, clean it thoroughly with a mild solution and then scrape it and sand it so it's as smooth as possible. Never power wash a wood garage door, and make sure to finish both the exterior and interior to keep water damage, insect damage and other issues at bay.

How to Clean a Wood or Metal Garage Door

As long as your wood garage door is properly finished, you can clean it using the same process as you would a metal garage door. Use these steps:

• Wipe down the door with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust, dirt and other debris.
• Prepare your cleaning solution. Use one cup of a non-toxic, biodegradable cleaner containing 0.5 percent phosphate or less mixed with two gallons of warm water. You can also use one cup ammonia mixed with five gallons of room-temperature water.
• Apply the solution from the bottom of the door to the top of the door using a sponge, soft-bristle brush or clean, soft cloth.
• Remove stubborn mildew and/or fungal growths using a mixture of one cup bleach, five gallons of water and one cup of mild soap.
• Rinse down the door with clean water. You can then either dry it with a cloth or allow it to air dry.

General Garage Door Maintenance Tips

• Twice a year, visually inspect your garage door and its components. If you notice signs of wear and tear or other damage, have them addressed promptly.
• Vacuum and/or wipe down garage door components to ensure the ongoing proper operation of your metal or wood garage door.
• Use a garage door spray lubricant to keep bearings, hinges, rollers and tracks in good working order.
• Check the springs to ensure that they're sufficiently "wet," or lubricated, and lubricate as needed.
• Also, check the chain to ensure that it is properly greased. If not, grease it to keep it from experiencing mechanical issues.
• If you have an automatic opener, you might want to have a professional garage door company examine it once a year or so as well.

Weatherproofing Your Garage

Garages that exist beside or under a home may keep you dry on a rainy day, but in their natural, unfortified state they also have a nasty way of allowing cold air, noxious fumes and even carbon monoxide to enter the living space. Fortunately, weatherproofing can solve the problem, and although it may seem intimidating, the job is something most homeowners can easily manage on their own.

Weather-stripping Your Garage

Weather-stripping is vital for keeping out drafts. After dealing with the windows, turn your attention to the door. While the careful installation of side, top and bottom seals is imperative, you might want to consider adding a garage door threshold as well to ensure a tight closure that eliminates drafts.

Venting Your Garage

To prevent the buildup of mold and mildew, you must provide excess moisture with a means of escape. You do this by installing a few vents.

The right-sized vents for your garage will measure at least 6 inches in diameter. Be sure that the ones you purchase come equipped with outside rain caps and adjustable inside diffusers to control the flow of escaping air.

To install your garage vents:

• Select at least two appropriate locations on opposing exterior walls.
• Position exhaust vents as high on the wall as possible. Intake vents can go lower.
• Cut holes according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Install each vent from the outside in and caulk around the edges.

Insulating Your Garage

With the vents in place, it's time to get started on the insulation. Part of this job entails choosing the appropriate material. While fiberglass will serve under most circumstances, those who live in fire-prone areas might want to consider the flame-retardant properties of rock wool instead.

To proceed with the installation:

• Remove any existing paneling or drywall.
• Seal large holes and cracks, paying particular attention to the walls’ lower sections.
• In an attached garage, install the insulation backwards with the vapor barrier facing away from you and toward the home’s interior wall.
• Finish with plywood paneling on the walls and under the roof. Do not use drywall inside your garage.

Weatherproofing Wooden Garage Doors

While garage doors that are made of wood present an attractive appearance, they will always require extra protection from the elements. To fortify yours:

• Apply acrylic latex caulking around each panel.
• Paint or stain both sides and all edges.
• Consider adding foil-type insulation to assist in moderating inside temperatures.

In addition, if your garage door measures wider than 12 feet, stabilization with a sag eliminator will keep gravity from pulling it into a permanent smile. There are better ways to greet your neighbors.

Enjoy Your Weatherproofed Garage

While weatherproofing your garage may take a few weekends, the benefits will soon be apparent. In addition to protecting your vehicles, keeping toxins out of your home and limiting loss of interior heat, you will have increased your property value. You may even find yourself using the garage as additional living space.

In the end, the numerous advantages of a weatherproofed garage are sure to make the time spent getting it that way more than worth your while. If you are looking to take on this DIY project, you can find all the necessary tools and parts at StarDoorParts.com. From garage door thresholds to side seals and garage door bottom seals, Star Door Parts has everything you need.