How to Replace the Aluminum Trim Around a Garage Door
Wooden overhead garage doors are built for sturdiness and durability, giving you many years of use. One part of the door that may need to be replaced occasionally is the aluminum trim around the garage door. The trim is subjected to bumps and knocks from repeatedly opening and closing the door. It also may begin to show its age after being exposed to extreme changes in weather. The best solution is to replace the entire trim at one time. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure or yardstick
- Flathead screwdriver
- Ladder
- Sandpaper
- Stiff brush
- Paintbrush
- Wood sealer
- Utility knife
- Silicone sealant
- Assistant
- Hammer
- Aluminum nails
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Instructions
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Use a tape measure or yardstick to measure around the entire perimeter of your garage door to determine how much trim you'll need to buy.
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Open your overhead garage door to a level that allows you to reach the bottom edge comfortably. Starting in one corner, use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the old aluminum trim. Work your way around the perimeter of the door, lowering the door and using a ladder as needed to reach the top of the door.
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Inspect the edge of the door for any protrusions or unevenness. Use medium-coarse sandpaper to gently sand across the edge of the door. Use a stiff brush to whisk off any debris and dust.
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Using a paintbrush, apply a wood sealer to the edge of the garage door, to prevent water damage to your door. Allow the wood sealer to dry at least 2 hours.
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Cut the aluminum trim to fit the measurements of your door. Score a line in the trim using a sharp utility knife, and then bend the trim back and forth until it snaps along the score line. Apply silicone sealant along the back of each length of trim. Place the trim against the garage door, and press it into place. Ask an assistant to hold the pieces of trim for you as you work.
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Nail the trim every 12 inches using a hammer and aluminum nails, working your way around the garage door. When you reach the end of each length of aluminum trim, apply some silicone sealant into the open end.
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Tips & Warnings
Use only aluminum nails when working with aluminum trim.
Be careful when handling pieces of aluminum trim, as the cut edges may be sharp.
References
- Photo Credit luxury house image by yong hong from Fotolia.com
