How Is Garage Door Bottom Seal Cut When Ordered by the Foot?

When you order garage door bottom seal by the foot, we cut your seal to the footage you order plus approximately 2–3 extra inches.

So, if you order 16 feet of bottom seal, you can expect to receive a continuous piece measuring approximately 16 feet, 2–3 inches.

Why Do I Receive Extra Bottom Seal?

The additional 2–3 inches are intentional. We include a little extra material to account for:

• Possible shrinkage in the seal material
• Overhang at the ends of the retainer during installation
• Final trimming so you can achieve the best fit for your door

This means your seal may be slightly longer than the footage listed on your order. You are not expected to receive exactly the ordered length with no additional material.

What Length Should I Order?

Order the footage you need based on the width of your garage door. You do not need to add an extra 2–3 inches to your order to account for the ends—we include that additional material when the seal is cut.

Should I Trim the Extra Material?

Yes. We recommend waiting until the bottom seal is installed before trimming it to its final length.

Feed the seal completely through the retainer and position it correctly on the door. Once it is in place, trim the excess material at the ends using strong scissors or an appropriate cutting tool.

Tip: Avoid cutting your new bottom seal to the exact width of your door before installation. The extra material gives you room to position the seal properly and helps prevent accidentally cutting it too short.

Still Need Help?

If you’re unsure which bottom seal you need, check the attachment profile of your existing seal and retainer before ordering. Bottom seals come in several styles, including T-end, bead-end, P-bulb, and other profiles, so choosing the correct profile is just as important as ordering the right length.

If you need help identifying your bottom seal, use the Contact Us form or Live Chat to contact the Action Direct team and we’ll be happy to help.