The UK’s weather is nothing if not notorious, with Scotland in particular being exposed to massive levels of rain and extremely cold winters every single year. The topsy turvy weather of this collection of countries isn’t immune to a hot sunny summer either (even if this can be a little stop start). With all of this in mind, it’s important to protect your property from the potential impact of weather, and garage doors are no exception.
Good garage doors are essential for having a smooth day-to-day life, protecting your home’s vehicles (and any other belongings stored in the garage) and insulating the entirety of your property. However, weather conditions can have a significant impact on their quality and integrity. This piece will explore the impact of weather on garage doors, expanding on the signs to look out for and some essential maintenance tips.
The impact of rain
Rain can have significant impacts on metal, which make up a significant part of any insulated garage door. When metal elements in a garage door get wet they can start to rust and corrode, which will lead to reduced function and eventually permanent damage. A poorly insulated garage door might also allow water to seep into cracks and gaps, causing leaks inside the garage.
The impact of wind
Strong winds, common in Scotland (the windiest country in Europe) can do serious damage to garage doors, causing panels and elements to shift, bend or even detach. In some cases, wind can also carry debris that might collide or scratch the door. The absence of a proper garage door weather seal will also allow more wind and draughts into the garage.
The impact of extreme temperature
Particularly high or low temperatures can cause garage doors to expand or contract, potentially even cracking them over time or breaking the springs. In the short term, these expansions and contractions will make garage doors harder to open and close, slowing down everyday life. That’s not to mention the cold brought into homes in the absence of garage door insulation.
Sunlight vs Snow
In the vein of extreme temperatures, it’s worth noting that sunlight and snow can have distinct impacts on garage doors. For one, excessive sunlight can damage electrical door sensors, causing them to malfunction. Snow can melt and then refreeze doors shut, especially without proper garage door weather stripping.
Essential signs and maintenance tips
If you’re concerned about the impact of weather on your garage door, there are several processes that everyone can apply in terms of checking for signs and basic maintenance.
It’s important to look out for signs such as:
- Visible rust or discoloration
- Slower/janky door operations
- Misshapenness, dents or cracks
- Leaking or draughts
- Slow responses from electrical sensors
Maintenance tips include:
- Lubricating any moving parts with a suitable silicone-based lubricant
- Checking the springs with lift and drop processes
- Regularly cleaning away snow, pooling water and debris, also keeping gutters clean
- Checking for damage after extreme weather events
It’s worth noting that sometimes, it’s not possible to keep a garage door in proper condition with simple maintenance. With that in mind, it’s important to consider getting a proper repair done by a qualified, expert mechanic – the right team will be able to bring a door back to life and make it good as new. In other cases, it might be worth getting a replacement in the form of a brand new weatherproof garage door, whether an electric or manual model.
Either way, the impact of weather in the UK can be significant on garage doors, so it’s worth being mindful about them all year round.
