September 9, 2016

Garage doors and R-value… what do I need to know?

R-Value - Hot and cold

Looking for ways to reduce your impact on the environment? Hoping to reduce your energy costs at the same time? One way to accomplish both goals is to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Lack of insulation means your home is losing energy and money, which harms the environment… and your wallet. Today, let’s look specifically at insulating the largest moving part of your home: your garage door.

I keep hearing about R-value. What does it mean?

R-value, which is presented as a number, indicates how resistant something is to the transfer of heat or cold. A garage door with an R-value of R-16, for example, does a better job of keeping the cold out then a door with an insulation value of R-6. When it comes to R-value, keep in mind that the higher the number, the better the insulation.

When it comes to garage doors, are there different kinds of insulation?

Garage door manufacturers use two main insulation products: polyurethane and polystyrene.

Commonly used for protective packing materials and disposable coffee cups, polystyrene panels are also used to insulate garage doors. It can be sandwiched between a pair of steel wall panels, which is known as a three-layer garage door. Polystyrene can also be glued to a single garage door panel to make a two-layer door.

For applications that require a high level of insulation, garage door manufacturers use the second product – polyurethane. This type of insulation offers a higher R-value, making it a better choice when energy savings are needed.

Polyurethane is a substance that bonds to the steel panels that make up a garage door. It is strong and bendable. Polyurethane is the most commonly used material for insulating doors of all kinds, like residential and garage doors.

What else do I need to know?

While R-value plays an important role in insulating your garage, it doesn’t act alone. To be efficient, your garage door must also be air-tight. A well-insulated door needs to have air barriers to keep the hot or cold out. Look for a door with flexible weather-stripping at the top and bottom of each panel. When shut, a garage door should have no gaps for air to flow through.

What R-value do I need for my garage door?

Garage doors are available in a wide range of R-values since different applications demand different levels of insulation. Here’s what we recommend.

Detached garage:

  • Not insulated: no insulation or up to R-6.
  • Insulated: minimum R-10.

Attached garage:

  • R-12 or higher.

Will I need to heat my garage if I purchase a door with the highest R-value?

Heating a garage depends on climate and garage use. If winters bring freezing temperatures, and you use your garage for do-it-yourself projects, you’ll likely need to heat your garage. Fortunately, a garage door with a high R-value will keep most of the heat from escaping.

If you use your garage mostly for storage or parking your car, heating isn’t usually needed. Temperatures will likely stay above the freezing mark if your garage and door are well insulated.

During hot summer days, an insulated garage door can help reduce cooling costs while keeping your home more comfortable. High R-value insulation is especially important if you have bedrooms or other living space above the garage.

Looking for advice on R-value for your next garage door? Hoping to buy a new garage door or automatic door opener? Call us today at 705-322-0136 or use our new online contact form. We look forward to serving you!

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