A properly sealed hangar door does more than keep rain outside. The right weather seal helps reduce air movement, limit moisture and debris entry, and protect the aircraft, equipment, and other materials stored inside the hangar. When an existing seal becomes cracked, compressed, or damaged, replacing it with the right material and thickness can make a noticeable difference in overall door performance.

EPDM is a popular choice for hangar door weather seals because it provides flexibility, durability, and resistance to outdoor exposure. However, choosing an EPDM seal is not simply a matter of selecting the thickest material available. The thickness needs to work with the door, the existing seal retainer, the size of the gap, and the way the door moves.

Hangar Door Parts offers EPDM weather seals in several thicknesses, including 1/16 inch, 1/8 inch, and 3/16 inch options. Understanding the differences between these choices can help you select a seal that provides reliable coverage without interfering with normal door operation.

Why EPDM Is Used for Hangar Door Weather Seals

EPDM, or ethylene propylene diene monomer, is a synthetic rubber commonly used in outdoor sealing applications. Hangar doors are exposed to sunlight, rain, temperature changes, wind, dust, and other environmental conditions, so the sealing material needs to remain flexible and durable over time.

Hangar Door Parts' EPDM weather seals are designed with UV resistance and a nylon-inserted rip-stop material. The reinforcement helps the seal resist stretching and damage while the EPDM material provides flexibility for sealing against the door or surrounding structure.

The material is also designed to resist swelling and moisture damage. This makes EPDM a practical choice for hangar environments where a weather seal may be exposed to outdoor conditions for extended periods.

 

 

Understanding EPDM Weather Seal Thickness

The thickness of a weather seal affects how it handles gaps, movement, compression, and installation. Hangar Door Parts currently offers 1/16-inch, 1/8-inch, and 3/16-inch EPDM weather seal options. These products are available in different widths and roll lengths depending on the thickness.

The most important point is that thickness should match the requirements of the door rather than simply being selected based on the idea that thicker is always better.

1/16-Inch EPDM Weather Seal

A 1/16-inch seal is the thinnest EPDM option offered by Hangar Door Parts. This type of seal can be useful where the available space is limited or where a thinner material is appropriate for the existing door configuration.

The 1/16-inch EPDM rolls are available in 12-inch and 18-inch widths and approximately 98-foot lengths.

Before selecting this thickness, check the existing seal and retainer carefully. A thinner material may be appropriate for a specific installation, but it should still provide enough coverage to close the intended gap.

1/8-Inch EPDM Weather Seal

The 1/8-inch EPDM weather seal is one of the primary options available for hangar doors. It provides more material thickness than the 1/16-inch option while maintaining the flexibility needed for many door applications.

Hangar Door Parts offers the 1/8-inch EPDM seal in 4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch widths, with rolls approximately 60 feet long.

For many replacement projects, this can be a practical middle-ground option when the existing door configuration calls for additional material thickness without moving to a heavier 3/16-inch seal.

3/16-Inch EPDM Weather Seal

The 3/16-inch option provides additional thickness and is available in 6-inch and 12-inch widths with approximately 60-foot rolls.

This thicker material may be appropriate for applications where the existing seal design requires more substantial rubber material. However, the additional thickness also means the seal needs to fit properly within the door's existing installation.

A thicker seal should not be installed simply because the door has a large gap. The seal's width, mounting method, compression, and door movement all need to be considered together.

How to Determine Which Thickness You Need

The best starting point is the existing weather seal. If you are replacing a worn seal rather than changing the door's sealing design, measure the old material before removing it whenever possible.

Look at the thickness, width, mounting method, and overall condition of the existing seal. Also inspect the retainer or mounting surface to determine how the replacement material is secured.

Hangar Door Parts recommends measuring the width and thickness of the existing seal before ordering because the available profiles are not interchangeable.

If the old seal is badly damaged or missing, measure the available mounting area and the gap that needs to be covered. Photographs of the existing installation can also help when identifying the correct replacement.

Consider the Size of the Gap

The size and consistency of the gap around the hangar door are important when selecting weather seal material.

A seal needs enough width to bridge the opening and make reliable contact, but excess material can create installation problems. If the seal is forced into an opening that is too small, it may fold, bunch, or interfere with the door.

If the gap varies significantly from one section of the door to another, measuring several locations can provide a better understanding of the installation. Large hangar doors can experience movement as they open, close, and respond to wind or changes in the structure.

The goal is not simply to fill the largest gap. The goal is to create consistent coverage while allowing the door to operate normally.

 

 

Think About Door Movement

Hangar doors move differently depending on their design. Bifold, hydraulic, sliding, and rolling doors each have their own movement patterns and sealing requirements.

A weather seal installed along a moving edge needs to accommodate that movement without creating excessive resistance. This is one reason thickness and flexibility both matter.

Hangar Door Parts supplies weather seal products for several hangar door applications, including aircraft, agricultural, industrial and commercial, marina, and residential hangar doors.

If the door is difficult to operate after a seal replacement, the problem may not be the door operator itself. The seal may be too thick, improperly positioned, or creating excessive contact.

Do Not Forget About Seal Width

Thickness is only one part of the selection process. Width is equally important because the seal needs to provide enough material to cover the intended opening.

Hangar Door Parts offers several combinations of thickness and width. For example, its 1/8-inch EPDM weather seal is available in widths from 4 to 12 inches, while the 3/16-inch material is available in 6-inch and 12-inch widths.

This means you should measure both dimensions before ordering. Selecting the correct thickness but an inadequate width can still leave portions of the opening exposed.

Inspect the Existing Seal Before Replacing It

An old weather seal can provide useful information about what is happening around the door.

Look for cracking, tearing, permanent compression, stretching, or areas where the seal no longer contacts the surrounding surface. Also look for sections that have pulled away from the retainer or become damaged from repeated door movement.

If the seal is worn unevenly, inspect the door alignment and mounting hardware as well. A weather seal may wear prematurely if the door is not operating or aligning correctly.

Replacing the seal without addressing an underlying mechanical or alignment issue may only provide a temporary solution.

EPDM Thickness Is Only Part of the Solution

Choosing the right thickness is important, but a weather seal works as part of the complete hangar door system.

The door should close correctly, the seal should be mounted securely, and the material should make consistent contact with the intended sealing surface. On some hangar doors, additional brush seals may also be useful for addressing gaps that are not well suited to a solid rubber seal.

Hangar Door Parts offers both EPDM weather seals and brush sealing products for hangar door applications. Its brush seals are designed to help seal gaps against dust, drafts, moisture, insects, and other environmental elements.

This allows the sealing approach to be matched to the specific areas of the door rather than relying on one type of seal for every opening.

Choosing the Right EPDM Weather Seal

When replacing an EPDM weather seal on a hangar door, start with the existing installation. Measure the old seal's thickness and width, inspect the retainer, and evaluate the size of the gap. Then consider how the door moves and whether the replacement material will have enough flexibility to operate correctly.

For many installations, the choice will come down to 1/16-inch, 1/8-inch, or 3/16-inch EPDM material. The correct option depends on the existing door configuration and sealing requirements rather than simply selecting the thickest available material.

Hangar Door Parts offers multiple EPDM weather seal options for aircraft and other hangar door applications. If you are unsure which thickness or width matches your existing installation, having the door measurements and photos available can make identifying the correct replacement much easier.

A properly selected and installed weather seal helps maintain the separation between the hangar interior and the outdoor environment. For aircraft facilities and other working hangars, that simple barrier can play an important role in keeping the space cleaner, drier, and better protected.