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When it comes to selecting a seal for the sides and top of your garage door opening, there are generally three types of seals for the job, flexible PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) flap seals, EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber flap seals, and brush seals, typically made with polypropylene or nylon bristles. Most of these seals are available in various lengths to cover a multitude of gaps.

Flexible PVC Seals Flexible PVC flap seals are used in many applications due to their cost and a wide range of colors. These seals typically come in three different forms, flexible one-piece seals that can be nailed around the door opening, flexible flaps that can be installed in plastic or aluminum retainers, and the most common, vinyl, which is a dual material stop molding that has a flexible flap extruded on a rigid mounting surface. Both parts of the vinyl seal are available in a wide array of colors to match the exterior color of a garage door. Action Industries offers DuraSeal stop molding.

Rubber Flap Seals EPDM rubber flap seals are engineered for applications with extreme temperature conditions that range anywhere from -60 to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Rubber is a more pliable material than vinyl and functions better in extreme temperatures. Rubber flap seals are most commonly used in combination with aluminum retainers that are screwed to the jamb around the door.

Brush Seals Brush seals are the most versatile of the three types of seals. The individual bristles of the brush conform to any surface deviations to create a robust seal against the elements. This makes for a seal that is more complete around the door. Brush seals can also be a deterrent to pests, as the individual bristles create a mat to block their entry. Some brush seals can be used in fire-rated assemblies as well. Most brushes are a cut to length part that fits in the corresponding, typically aluminum, retainer. Action Industries is the exclusive distributor of FlexBrush, a unique coiled brush product that has the filaments fused to the brush holder. The biggest advantage of FlexBrush is the material being coiled allows for seamless brush seals on long length applications.

Crimp the jaw at one end, pull the insert taut, and crimp the other end. Or speak to your Action sales representative about having us do it for you. Either way, eliminating waves and wrinkles creates a more professional-looking job. 

As told by JP, Action Sales Rep

Cross my heart... Recently I made a routine call on an old customer in Florida. Some years earlier, he had installed our aluminum retainer and vinyl weatherseal around each door opening in his building, and, under each overhead door, he had Storm Shield Garage Door Threshold® fixed to the floor. A good idea, since Florida is known for its hurricanes. In fact, my return visit was only a month after the last one had ripped through his part of the state. When I inquired if he had suffered any damage, he just smiled... He then told me that to prepare for the storm, he had adjusted the door hardware so that the doors were tight against the building, with no play in them. After the deluge hit and the storm passed, he took a small rowboat out to his building now surrounded by about 3' of water. Upon entering the building, he was relieved to see that the doors had not imploded inward and that the seals held tight—the inside was completely dry. Then he chuckled as he suggested to me that Action now market these items as part of a new product line called "hurricane seal kits".

Tales of suspense - As told by Al and Mike, Action Sales Reps

You could hear the panic in his voice. It was around 2:30 pm on a balmy Friday afternoon in Chicago-almost the start of the weekend-when I answered his call: one of his customers was up for an inspection by the FDA and they had several violations that needed to be fixed...by that following Monday morning. He had 20 doors and docks that needed to be sealed. He required 20 Zebra Brushes and 20 Dock Seal Kits. He was in a real bind-was there any way we could get all the product assembled and delivered to him by the next morning, so he could work over the weekend to get the job done? To make a long story (and weekend) short, we did, he did, the plant passed inspection, and his client was extremely pleased with his effort.

As told by Mike, Action Sales Rep

A customer in California had just seven days before the inspection to schedule his workers, order materials and arrange an install time that would avoid any plant downtime while his crew put in 30 header and jamb Aluminum & Brush seals on 30 roll-up doors in a food processing plant. He was already between a rock and a hard place when he had a bomb dropped on him-final inspection would be in two days, not seven! Receiving this information at 2:00 EST, how would he ever be able to order, receive, custom cut, assemble, & install this product on time? Simple. He called Action. After receiving exact measurements on the 30 doors of various sizes, our staff did what it does best. The order was received, processed, custom cut, assembled and shipped-all in 2 hours! I followed up the next afternoon to learn that my customer received his product early in the morning and was able to complete the job with a few hours to spare. The inspector was very happy with the work he performed. The client was impressed by his dedication. And at the end of his story, after expressing his appreciation for the fast service, all my customer could say was, "Boy, now I know why you guys are called Action!"

As told by Jeremy, Action Sales Rep

He was one of my oldest customers-always appreciative of our fast service! One of the items we had always been so quick to get to his plant were the 'U' shaped bottom retainers they kept ordering month after month. It wasn't until recently, though, over a cup of coffee, that I learned things slowed down a bit for them after they received the product. Why? Because they wanted a longer mounting surface for the interior of the door, so they were actually cutting one leg off the 'U' shape to convert it into an 'L'. shape-bottom after bottom, retainer after retainer, year after year! I couldn't believe it when he told me what they had been doing all this time! Especially when I considered all the time and labor they committed to cutting off that one leg! There had to be a better way. After some discussion with my customer, the engineers at Action went to work developing drawings for a custom design to meet his company's specific application. Costs were quoted, samples were shipped, and after they tried it out and gave us a hearty approval, we went into full production mode. Today, not only are they saving on lost time and labor, the unit price of the retainer itself is less. My customer couldn't be happier. Or more profitable on that particular door they manufacture. Do you have a particular problem or special need? Remember, it can't hurt to ask us if we can help. But, given all the effort you might needlessly be spending solving it yourself, it never hurts to ask!

• 	First, check the tracks – are they in good shape? Second, check the steel rollers – are they worn out with flat spots. Changing worn out rollers and replacing them with new silent guide nylon rollers could help with the noise.
  A few applications of Penetrating Lube to the inside of the new rollers will ensure extended life and keep everything nice and quiet. Penetrating Lube and Ultra Gel with Teflon can also be applied to springs, cables, hinges, locks and chains. Never apply lubricants to roller tracks – that’s what causes the buildup that causes the roller “flat spots”.