Garage Door Insulation
If you’re a homeowner who is looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home, we have an option that you might not have considered. Garage door insulation can improve the energy efficiency and provide other benefits that make it a good investment.
Here are three ways that garage door insulation will benefit you:
- Improved energy efficiency of your home.
- Increases the durability of your existing door.
- Reduces exterior noise.
What Is Garage Door Insulation?
Garage door insulation consists of materials such as foam board that are inserted between the layers of your garage door — though in some cases, the insulation material can be placed just underneath the surface of the door.
If you’re wondering about whether you should get your garage door insulated, consider this advice from the experts.
Do You Need Garage Door Insulation?
You should consider insulating your garage door if your garage is:
- Used as a living or workspace.
- Attached to your home.
- Part of the facade of your home.
- In a climate that is extremely hot or cold.
- Located in an area that has a lot of exterior noise.
The insulation in your garage door serves as a barrier against noise, extreme weather, and more. That’s why choosing the right type of insulation is vital.
How to Choose Garage Door Insulation
The type of insulation that you need is influenced by how your garage door is made. Some door types are made for maximum insulation, while other door types aren’t made for any.
Garage door manufacturers offer three basic types of garage door construction. Think of them as 1-layer, 2-layer, and 3-layer:
- A 1-layer door has no insulation, with just a single layer of steel.
- A 2-layer door has a layer of steel with insulation behind it backed by a layer of vinyl to keep the insulation in place.
- A 3-layer door has two layers of steel with insulation sealed in between in a sandwich type of construction. This is the highest quality and will typically cost more money.
Types of Garage Door Insulation
There’s a noticeable difference between a door with insulation and one without it.
A single layer door with no insulation will tend to rattle during operation and is more prone to denting and rusting. Also, if the door is struck with an object, it will produce a loud sound.
A door with 3-layer construction is much quieter when struck with an object because the insulation helps absorb the impact and muffles the sound. It is also quieter when in operation. Insulation also protects against denting and rusting, which is another reason why insulation is desirable when the door is part of your home's exterior.
There are two types of insulation: polystyrene and polyurethane.
While Polyurethane is the higher quality insulation, both are effective at insulating your garage door from damage, noise, and weather.
Polystyrene, which is similar to the material in a styrofoam cooler, is used to fill the entire panel. This makes the garage door panel feel really solid. Today, manufacturers generally use polystyrene in 2-layer construction and polyurethane in 3-layer construction.
R-value: What is It, and What Does It Mean?
Every garage door with insulation has an R-value. The R-value is a measure of the door’s thermal resistance. Garage doors typically range from an R-8 at the low end to R-32 at the very high end. The higher the number, the better the insulation properties. Most homeowners purchase a door with an R-value of around 16.
Insulation is ideal for helping your garage maintain a more consistent temperature all year round. In cold weather, an insulated garage may be as much as 10 degrees warmer than one without insulation. Conversely, insulation helps trap cooler air during warmer months, which can help saveyou money on your energy costs.
Is Insulating My Garage Door Worth It?
When you purchase a garage door, we recommend spending the additional money on quality construction and one that is insulated. This is especially true if the door is visible from the front of your home or attached to your home.
However, if your garage door is hidden from view or is not attached to your home, you may be less concerned with how it looks from the outside. In this case, you might consider saving some money and purchasing a less expensive garage door.
For Garage Door Installation You Can Trust, Call the Experts at Precision
Although most homeowners may not give much thought to garage door insulation, it can impact how it performs and how well it holds up over time. And by choosing the right garage door insulation to suit your needs, you can make a good investment that pays dividends in the long run. Not sure which door type or insulation you need? Let the pros at Precision Garage Door Service help. Give us a call at (877) 301-7474 or find the Precision Garage Door Service technician nearest you.
