Most of us are searching for easy ways to decrease our carbon footprint. Luckily, that’s getting easier to accomplish, as a result of the growing availability of eco-friendly products, like home appliances, windows, doors and building supplies.
One item that can make your home more energy efficient – and as a result help protect the environment – is a well-insulated garage door. To choose the right door for your home, let’s learn a little bit about R-value.
What does R-value mean?
R-value shows us the level of resistance an item has to heat flow. That number, or R-value, provides us with a unit of measure to compare insulation levels in different products. A non-insulated garage door, for example, will have a low R-value. A door with good insulation will have a higher one. That’s because materials with high R-values are resistant to temperature transfers.
What are the most common kinds of insulation?
When it comes to garage doors, there are two types of insulation that are used: polystyrene and polyurethane.
Polystyrene is often utilized for throwaway coffee cups and protective material for packages. To insulate garage doors, polystyrene is either inserted between two sheets of steel, which is called a 3-layer door, or it is glued to one sheet of steel for a 2-layer model.
Polyurethane is better at stopping thermal conductivity. Since it performs better, it has a higher R-value.
Polyurethane sticks to the steel walls that make up a garage door. It is a strong material that has a good bending strength. Polyurethane is often used inside residential doors and car bumpers.
Are there other factors to consider?
Good quality insulation is key to keeping the heat or the cold out of your garage. However, if your garage door is not properly sealed, it won’t be very effective. Make sure your new door has good quality weather-stripping between panels, around the frame and below the door. Weather-stripping should be flexible, even when it’s cold outside. Quality garage doors are often equipped with thermal breaks, to help prevent the flow of thermal energy that can happen between conductive materials.
What R-value is high enough for my garage door?
If your garage is not insulated and is detached from your home, low or no insulation is needed. Look for a door labelled R-6 or less. For a detached garage that is fully insulated, R-10 or higher is best.
If you have an attached garage, you’ll need a higher level of insulation. We advise a level of R-12 or higher. Attached garages need to be insulated to keep the rest of the house more comfortable. High R-value is especially important when it comes to keeping living space located above the garage comfy year round.
Do I need to heat my garage if my new door has a high R-value?
The need to heat depends on where you live. If winter means freezing temperatures, heating your garage may be a necessity. If your garage functions as a space for your construction projects or for your kids to play, you will definitely need to heat your garage on cold days. Fortunately, a well-insulated garage door will keep a lot of that heat from escaping.
If your garage is for parking your car, the residual heat from its engine, and the warmth that seeps into your garage when you use the interior door, will likely keep the air above the freezing mark.
For hot and muggy days, an insulated garage door reduces cooling expenses. High R-value insulation creates a barrier, blocking the heat from entering your house.
Looking for more information on garage door insulation? Need to purchase a new garage door or door opener? Contact us today! Call us at 978-741-1600 or use our new online form. We can also schedule an annual maintenance service. We look forward to making your experience a great one!
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