Preparing Your Garage Door for Winter: Essential Tips for Homeowners

​As temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, your home’s exterior systems face extra stress—and your garage door is no exception. A garage door that isn’t properly winterized can lead to heat loss, higher energy bills, and inconvenient (or even dangerous) malfunctions, such as broken springs. Before winter sets in, take time to ensure your garage door is ready to handle the cold.
 
Below are some key steps every homeowner should take to prepare their garage door for winter weather.

1. Inspect and Replace Weather Seals
 
Cold air, moisture, and pests can sneak in through gaps around your garage door.

• Check the bottom seal (threshold seal) for cracks, flattening, or missing sections.
  • Pro Tip:  If you are experiencing persistent problems with rodents, consider a specialized “rodent blocking” bottom seal, designed to repel these pests.
• Examine side and top weatherstripping for brittleness or peeling.
  If the seals feel stiff or no longer make full contact with the door or floor, replace them. Proper sealing helps maintain indoor temperatures and protects your belongings from water damage.

 
2. Lubricate Moving Parts
 
Winter air can cause metal components to contract, leading to friction and noise.

• Apply a silicone-based or professional grade petroleum-based light lubricant to rollers, hinges, and springs.
• Avoid heavy grease, which can thicken in cold weather.
  Lubrication reduces strain on the motor and prevents parts from freezing or sticking.

 
3. Check the Door Balance and Springs
 
An unbalanced door puts unnecessary stress on the opener, especially in cold weather.

• Disconnect the opener and manually lift the door halfway—if it stays in place, the balance is good.
• If it falls or rises, the tension may be off.
  **Never attempt to adjust torsion springs yourself—call a professional technician. These springs are under high tension and can be dangerous if mishandled.

 
4. Inspect Tracks and Rollers
 
Debris, salt, and grime can accumulate on garage door tracks.

• Wipe them clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
• Check rollers for wear, cracks, or wobbling.
  Replacing worn rollers improves door movement and reduces noise.

 
5. Test the Auto-Reverse and Safety Sensors
 
Cold weather can affect electronics and sensors.

• Place a small object in the door’s path and close it—if it doesn’t reverse immediately, the system needs service.
• Make sure the photo eyes are clean, aligned, and free of frost or dust.

 
6. Switch to an Insulated Garage Door
 
If your garage (including the garage door) isn’t insulated, it can become one of the biggest sources of heat loss in your home.

• Consider upgrading to an insulated garage door, if you have an uninsulated door.
• A properly insulated garage can keep interior temperatures considerably warmer, saving on heating costs and protecting vehicles and stored items.

 
7. Check Your Garage Door Opener Batteries
 
Cold weather can negatively affect battery life and performance.

• Consider replacing the batteries in the garage door opener remote controls.  This simple and relatively inexpensive step can help ensure your door opens when you need it most during cold winter days.
• If your garage door opener has a battery backup, ensure it’s fully charged and functioning properly. If the backup system is not functioning properly, consider replacing the battery.  This will keep your door operational during power outages—a common winter issue.

 
8. Schedule a Professional Tune-Up
 
Even with regular DIY maintenance, a pre-winter inspection by a professional can help detect early signs of wear. A qualified technician can check spring tension, motor function, and the overall health of your door system to ensure everything runs smoothly all winter long.  This type of preventative maintenance can save you from costly emergency repair calls and frustrations down the road.
 
Final Thoughts
 
A well-maintained garage door does more than protect your car—it helps keep your home efficient, comfortable, and secure throughout winter. By taking a few simple steps now, you’ll avoid costly repairs, unexpected breakdowns, and that unpleasant surprise of a door that won’t open on a freezing morning.  At Best Door & Window, we offer a full range of maintenance, service, and repair options for all your garage door needs.  Call us today!