Yes, an insulated garage door can help prevent heat loss in your home. The garage is a common energy leak culprit, even though it’s not usually a heated space. The temperature of the garage can impact the surrounding spaces.
Cold air in winter (and hot air in summer) transfers through ceilings, walls, and floors, altering the temperature based on outside conditions. Quality garage door insulation can keep the rest of the house from feeling the effects of the season and reduce the demand on your central heating (or cooling) system.
Homeowners considering replacing a garage door with an insulated model should consider the following.
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What Is An Insulated Garage Door?
An insulated garage door is manufactured with interior and exterior panels that contain insulating materials, such as polystyrene or polyurethane foam, between them. These features help retain warmer temperatures inside and deflect cold temperatures outside.
How Do Insulated Garage Doors Work?
Garage door insulation materials are installed between the panels of a garage door. This creates a thermal barrier, minimizing temperature exposure. Additional insulation measures include weatherstripping and sealing the base and edges for an added layer of insulation.
The effectiveness of insulation materials is measured by an “R Value.” This indicates how well the materials reduce heat flow or cold air. A higher R-value insulation will offer greater resistance. The value is determined by the type, thickness, and density of the insulation material.
Does An Insulated Garage Door Help With Energy And Heat Conservation During Colder Months?
Yes. An insulated garage door can help maintain heat inside the space via insulated panels and weatherstripping. It can also mitigate energy costs in cold months by stabilizing the overall temperature and reducing the need for space heaters.
The same is true for hot weather in the summer. By keeping the heat out of the space, an insulated garage can help balance the garage’s temperature. This cuts cooling costs and reduces the output of portable fans and space coolers.
Other Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors
An insulated garage door is also highly durable. The insulating materials act as a barrier, adding to the structural integrity. Noise-cancelling is an additional benefit of insulation, as the additional material helps buffer sound from nearby traffic and neighborhood noise.
Additional Sources of Lost Heat In The Garage
If your garage door is insulated, check these other culprits for all possible sources of lost heat:
- Lack of insulation in the walls
- Gaps in door frames
- Poorly sealed windows
- Open or poorly sealed skylights
- Gaps at the floor level (between siding and foundation)
How To Install Or Create An Insulated Garage Door
It is possible to insulate an existing garage door. You can do this with a few simple tools and supplies from your local hardware store. First, answer these questions:
- What Type of Garage?: Is this an attached or detached garage? A heated garage? A garage with a living space above? A standard attached garage? Each of these spaces will require a different R value. Attached and unheated garages are the most common construction and would need R-7 to R-9 insulation.
- What Type of Garage Door? Different types of garage doors require different insulation styles. Wooden-frame garage doors require rigid insulation, such as foam board, while metal garage doors can use any type of insulation.
How To Insulate A Garage Door
You can easily purchase a kit with most of the tools and materials you will need, but make sure you have these things on hand:
- Tape measure
- Utility knife or box cutter
- Double-sided tape
- Retention clips
- Straight edge (yardstick, long level, etc.)
- Pencil or Sharpie
- Clean-up rags
If you have pre-cut insulation pieces, just slide them into the panel bays. They should fit securely if you push the top of the board into the top lip and do the same for the bottom edge.
If you do not have pre-cut segments, you’ll need to measure for each panel and cut with the utility knife to fit.
- Use double-sided tape to secure the edges of the insulation on the panel
- Push the retention clips through the insulation slits and attach the front to the back
Always check for gaps and ensure they’re filled. This is also a good opportunity to check the state of the weatherstripping around the base and sides of the garage door.
Test the newly insulated garage door by carefully opening and closing it a few times to test how it bears the weight.
How Much Does A New Insulated Garage Door Cost?
The cost for insulated garage door replacement in Pflugerville or the surrounding Austin areas will vary based on the style, type, and size of the door. Contact Austin’s Greater Garage Doors for a custom quote about garage door repairs, replacements, installation, and advice.
