Installing A Garage Door Threshold

A garage door threshold will protect your garage floor from weather damage, as well as give another layer of protection from pests and debris. Installing a garage door threshold is easy for any do-it-yourselfer with a few basic tools.

Materials Needed:

Garage door threshold kit (usually a rubber garage door threshold that unrolls and lays down directly on the garage floor, directly underneath the door itself)

Industrial adhesive (this often comes with the garage door threshold kit)

Utility knife (needed for cutting the proper length of garage door threshold; be sure the knife has the ability to cleanly cut through thick rubber)

Soap and water (necessary for cleaning and preparing the area for installation)

Broom (needed to help prep the area and sweep away debris while installing)

Pencil (for tracing the threshold)

Good weather (since the garage door itself must be open, good weather is needed to prevent more debris, rain, and dust from getting in the cleaned area)

Step 1: Clean the Area

A clean area is critical, otherwise the adhesive will not work and the garage door threshold will move across the floor, defeating the purpose of its installation. Sweep the area clean of dust and debris with a two inch leeway on each side of the closed garage door. After opening the garage door, be sure to clean its edge as well in order to form a tight seal with the newly installed threshold. Allow the area to dry completely before any adhesive is laid down.

Step 2: Test Fit

Unroll the rubber garage door threshold to test the area.

This step allows you to see the length of threshold needed. Unroll the rubber stopper directly underneath the door. Cut off any excess on the ends and make sure it meets the door jambs on the side exactly. This will form a tight seal against the weather when the door is closed.

Step 3: Close the Door to Test the Seal

The bulge in the rubber formed should be on the inside of the door. Make sure the bulge is even across the door.

Step 4: Trace the Garage Door Threshold

Trace both the inside and the outside of the area in which to lay down the adhesive.

Step 5: Install Adhesive

Raise the door, remove the threshold, and install the adhesive. Lay down the adhesive in a zigzag manner in order to insure the maximum adhesive surface when you lay down the threshold. Be sure to also lay down an area of adhesive on the lines you traced earlier to form a tight seal.

Step 6: Reapply the Threshold

Lay down the rubber threshold between the lines as before, applying pressure this time in order to create a tight seal and adhesion with the floor. This will also prevent dust, debris, and drafts from getting in underneath the garage door threshold. Take this process slowly to ensure the threshold fits in with the lines you traced.

Step 7: Lower the Door and Allow to Dry

The garage door’s weight will hold the threshold in place as the adhesive dries. Allow at least 18 to 24 hours for it to dry before driving over it.

After you’ve given the threshold proper time to seal, you can start enjoying the many benefits the new threshold will provide.