How to Winterize Your Garage Door ahead of the 2026 Houston Freeze
As the temperature drops, we bundle up in coats and scarves—but what about your garage door? As the largest moving part of your home, your garage door is often the first line of defense against freezing winds and snow.
Neglecting your door during the winter doesn't just lead to a cold garage; it can lead to snapped springs, cracked weatherstripping, and a motor that has to work twice as hard. At Element Doors and Garages, we want to help you avoid emergencies where you NEED the garage door to open.
Here are some things you can do to winterize your garage door before the weather gets bad.
Inspect and Replace the Weatherstripping
The rubber seal at the bottom of your door (the "astragal") is what keeps dirt and debris out. Over time, this rubber can become brittle and crack, allowing cold air and pests to crawl inside.
Close your garage door and look for light peeking through the bottom or sides. If you see light or feel a draft, you’re letting nature affect your home. An adjustment to your existing weatherstrip if it is in good condition, or a fresh seal if your current one is dried up and brittle will keep your garage significantly warmer and reduce your energy bills.
Consider Insulating your door
If your garage still feels like an ice box despite your best efforts, the door itself might be the problem. A non-insulated steel door has almost zero "R-value," meaning it's essentially a giant conductor for the cold.
Installing an insulation kit to your panels (if compatible) will do a decent job in dissipating the weather from outside. However upgrading to a Steel-back insulated door can change the temperature of your garage drastically.
Lubricate the Moving Parts
Cold weather causes metal to contract and grease to thicken. If your door is sounding extra "crunchy" or squeaky lately, it's crying out for help.
What to use: Avoid WD-40 (it’s a degreaser, not a long-term lubricant). Instead, use a silicone-based or lithium-based spray.
Where to spray: Focus on the rollers, hinges, and the overhead springs. This prevents the metal from seizing up when the mercury hits zero.
Clear the Tracks
While you shouldn't lubricate the inside of the tracks (this can actually cause the rollers to slip), you should make sure they are clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe out any dirt or debris that could cause an obstruction in the track and make the automatic opener think something is in the way of the door closing.
Test Your Battery Backups
Power outages are common during winter storms. Most newer openers have a battery backup.
Pro Tip: Test your opener’s battery backup! Unplug the opener and see if the door still operates. You don't want to find out the battery is dead when you're trying to leave for work during a blackout.
Don't Get Left Out in the Cold
A little bit of maintenance today prevents a costly repair tomorrow. If you're not comfortable climbing a ladder to inspect your springs or if your door is acting up, the team at Element Doors and Garages is here to help. We offer professional winter tune-ups to ensure your door runs smoothly all season long.
