How to Build a Garage Door that Locks Out Moisture and Water

Water and moisture; they’re two of the worst enemies of any home. From leaks to the inevitable rot that moisture creates, even moderate exposure to water can wreak havoc on certain types of garage doors. That’s why designers of custom garage doors build certain features into their doors to prevent the buildup of water and moisture. At CAMBEK, we take this to heart. Our master craftsmen take great care to build all-wood garage doors that block moisture and water, allowing our doors to last decades. 

How do we accomplish this? There are many features built into our garage doors that help them manage moisture. 

Proper Sealing During Construction

Moisture prevention begins with design; it should never be an afterthought. We design and build our garage doors to be able to withstand water and moisture by sealing every point of entry, ensuring that moisture penetration is minimized. Our garage doors are built with layers of high-quality materials, from their Douglas Fir frames to the all-wood trim and millwork on their exterior. All the voids between these material layers are filled with DAP acrylic caulking. On the backside of each garage door, trim boards are also sealed prior to final finishing. Other areas of the door that are sealed include: 

• All six sides of the Douglas Fir frame  
• All ends of trim boards that don’t end at section breaks 
• The back of all materials before being placed on the doors (via tongue and groove fitting) 
• The routed area of drip caps 

This creates a garage door that minimizes water penetration from nearly every angle. 

Controlling the Flow of Water

While stopping the penetration of water is the number one priority, it’s also important to control the flow of water as it hits the door, and that or moisture as it builds up on the exterior of the door. That’s why we build integrated drip caps and vent holes into our doors. Drip caps are beveled pieces of molding located at the top edge of the bottom piece of trim. They are built into the door itself, preventing water from pooing on the bottom board and eventually seeping into the door itself. 

Vent holes are designed to naturally allow moisture—caused by either temperature or humidity changes—to pass through the interior of the door, preventing it from lingering and causing damage on the inside of the door. This, combined with proper sealing, creates a garage door with high environmental resistance. 

Water-Resistant Finishes and Coatings

The finish you choose should be weatherproof, whether you are painting or staining. Keeping a garage door finished is its first line of protection. At CAMBEK, we use a three-coat, water-based stain that can withstand exposure to rain, snow, sunlight, and moisture. We also offer powered coated options for our galvanized steel garage door track and custom hardware. Powder coatings protect against high humidity, which can cause metals to rust over time. 

We take great care to ensure your garage door is built to perfection and resistant to the elements.
Want to learn more about our process? Get in touch with us to set up a free consultation.

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