Your garage door serves many purposes. It is the first line of defense in the security of your home. It is also often the first thing people see when they approach or pass your home, setting the tone for the style, design, and character of the entire house.
However, in these modern days of energy conservation awareness (especially in a green-centric city like Austin!), choosing whether to go with a steel or wooden garage door installation can be as much about how eco-friendly it is than how it looks and operates.
How to Make Your Garage More Energy Efficient
Energy-efficiency features are now becoming standard in new home designs and renovations. From smart thermostats and LED light bulbs to energy-efficient appliances and showerheads, homeowners look for ways to approach net-zero energy usage throughout the home.
While many homeowners are focusing on ways to make their houses more energy-efficient, the garage is frequently left out of the conversation, even when they are attached to the house. However, wooden and steel garage doors can have a great impact on the amount of energy used in your home or business.
Insulated, energy-efficient garage doors will have a minimal effect on the environment and can help to create significant savings throughout the year. Factors that determine the energy efficiency of your garage door include:
- Garage door construction and materials
- Protection against high winds and other extreme weather conditions
- Lifespan of the garage door
In addition to the insulation properties of your garage door, there are other areas throughout your garage to concentrate on for energy-saving improvements. Weatherstripping doors and windows will help to control the temperature inside your garage and prevent cold or hot air from seeping into the house.
Wood vs Steel Garage Doors: Which is Better?
The actual material of your garage door is only part of the equation to create an energy-efficient garage space. How steel or wood garage doors are constructed and the kind of insulation used will go a long way to determining how eco-friendly your garage is.
For instance, steel garage doors are the most popular because of their durability and strength. Steel itself is not the best insulator, but multi-layer steel garage doors provide the chance for insulation to improve energy efficiency, as well as make the door more resistant to dents and make them more durable.
Meanwhile, composite wood garage doors have been gaining in popularity in Austin. Wood and composite wood garage doors require very little maintenance. Composite wood can be used as an overlay to cover steel doors and give the appearance of the look of wood combined with the insulation properties and opportunities for insulation.
When looking to combine energy-efficiency and general curb appeal, contact Austin’s Greater Garage Doors to learn more about what type of door is best for you.
