Cold weather is coming, and this means it’s time to winterize your home. The tips below can help you save energy and money when winter arrives.
You have quite a bit to think about when it comes to getting the house ready. You have to make sure the heating system is working properly, and that you have your landscaping ready for the snowy weather. You don’t want to forget anything, especially your garage.
Here are some of the best and most cost-effective options for winterization. When you use them, it could also help you reduce your energy costs.
What do you think of this look? These garage doors are Eastman E-21 Design, 9' x 7', with Ice White doors and overlays, and 8 lite Orion windows.
Start Preparing the Garage for Cold Weather Now
How do you like this look? Here is a North Hatley LP Design, 9’ x 7’ garage door. It is Desert Sand Colour and has windows with Richmond Inserts.
R-Values: The Basics
Have you noticed that the temperature in the garage gets very cold in the winter? When you have air getting into the garage, the temperatures will plummet. You need to have quality insulation to ensure that this doesn’t happen. You want warmer air inside and colder air outside. The R-value is the level of insulation that you have in the garage.
When you have a low R-value, it means that you get less insulation performance and will be losing more heat. A higher R-value means that you have better insulation performance. R-value will vary based on the area that’s being insulated. Floors, for example, have lower R-values than roofs.
How Much Thermal Insulation Is Required for a Garage Door?
The answer will vary based on a range of factors. Some garages will need to have a higher R-value and better insulation. What your space needs will depend on these factors:
● Insulation
If the garage isn’t heavily insulated, a value of R-12 for the door should work fine. If you have a garage with more insulation and you are trying to keep it warmer, you might need a value of R-16.
● Attached or Detached Garage
If you have an attached garage and you don’t have enough insulation, it will negatively affect your heating bills. You should have a value of at least R-12. If the garage is detached, it might not matter as much.
● How You Use the Garage
Those who have living spaces in their garage will want to have a value of R-16. The same is true if you use the garage for a workspace or a gym, for example. If you are spending a lot of time in the garage, you want it to be as comfortable as possible.
Materials for Insulating
You will find that there are two options when it comes to garage door insulation:
● Polyurethane is injected as foam between the face and interior garage door skins. When it is injected, it starts to expand with heat, so it can fill the void. The foam tends to expand fast and will fill the gaps between the panels. Polystyrene can’t do this. The foam becomes solid and thick, which means that it is stronger and more resistant to bending than polystyrene.
● Polystyrene is another option. This is also known as Styrofoam, and it’s available in large sheets. These tend to be affordable and are easy to install. However, they are not as effective as polyurethane.
The images above illustrate how polyurethane, on the left, and polystyrene, on the right, insulated a garage door.
Don’t Forget These Important Items
● Bottom Garage Door Gap
You might have a gap along the bottom of your door and the garage floor. If you do, cold air will get in through that location. It will also allow in pests, water, dirt, and more. Check the bottom garage door weatherstripping to see if you should change it or get a garage door threshold.
● Garage Door Opener
Does your garage door opener bring the door all the way to the floor? You can check your manual and adjust the opener, which can help to ensure the door is positioned correctly. Making adjustments can help to reduce the size of the gap.
● Garage Door Gap at Sides and/or Top
The weatherstripping around the perimeter of your garage door might need to be changed out, as well. Check to see if it is cracking and chipping away. This will allow cold air to get inside. Make sure that you replace it. The replacement should be simple enough that you can do it on your own.
Insulation in the Garage Walls and Ceiling
If you have poor quality insulation in your garage walls or no insulation at all, you will have a cold garage in the winter. The cost of the materials and the amount you need can vary. While the R-value doesn’t have to be as high as the ceiling, you will still want to make sure that there is enough insulation to keep your garage comfortable.
You might find that having a professional come out and handle the garage insulation for your walls and ceiling is the best option if you aren’t sure how to do it on your own.
However, if you want to handle it on your own, consider following the steps provided by Dumpsters.com:
● Step 1: Clear the walls of the garage.
● Step 2: Check for and repair any damage to the walls and seal any cracks.
● Step 3: Add the fiberglass insulation.
● Step 4: Put on new drywall to cover the insulation.
They provide some pros and cons for different types of insulation. Check out their blog to get more tips.
Good insulation for your ceiling and walls will make a difference in the comfort level in the garage. Image from Pixabay.
Windows
Windows in the garage are great. They provide you with natural light, so it’s a more pleasant place to be. However, if they aren’t sealed properly, they could allow in some cold air.
Fortunately, you can find options to seal the windows that will work for any budget:
● Use Weatherstrip Tape
This is a simple way to keep out the cold air. Just use some weatherstrip tape around the window frame. This will prevent the cold air from getting into the garage through the windows.
● Caulk
Here’s another easy option. You’ll find that the caulking around windows can start to wear away over time, and it will need to be replaced. Check out this article to learn more about applying the caulk and choosing the right one for the job.
● Window Treatments
You could also add thermal curtains to the garage. Not only will it look nice and spruce up the garage, but it will help to keep out the cold air.
Outlets and Light Switches
These are areas that you have likely forgotten about—most garage owners do. However, according to information from Conservation Mart, around 2% to 5% of air infiltration happens through outlets.
Check out these 7 easy ways to better insulate your garage outlets and switches. It can reduce heat loss. You can even learn to seal junction boxes using just three objects. For example, you could add foam outlet gaskets that will help to stop cold air from getting inside.
Condensation Can Cause Problems
When water contacts cold surfaces, condensation will occur. If there is moisture in the garage, the cold floors and windows, or even the garage door, can create more moisture. You want to keep water away from the garage floor.
Check to ensure that you have drainage that will direct water away from the garage rather than into it. Having a sloping interior near the garage door entrance will help with this. You should also check your garage floor occasionally to see if there are any cracks or damage.
If the garage is humid, it could prevent it from heating properly. There’s also the potential for condensation to cause the garage door to become damaged. In some cases, bacteria could start to build up in the garage.
This garage door seal has a proper seal, and the floor finishes help to stop leaking.
Having a quality dehumidifier and floor coating can help to reduce the risk of having too much condensation in the garage.
A Heated Attached Garage Can Help Control the Temperatures in the Home
Today, you can find a range of options for heating the garage. A standing unit or a radiant floor system can work well. When you keep the garage warm year-round, you’ll find some nice advantages:
● Lowers risk of damage to the garage doors
● Lowers risk of damage from frozen pipes
● Prevents moisture buildup
● Keeps belongings safe
● Improves car battery life
● Keeps indoor temps more comfortable and consistent
Do You Still Need Some Help?
You might find that you still need to have some help when it comes to keeping your garage in shape, and you might even need to get a new garage door, or at least have yours inspected and maintained.
We Can Offer Garage Door Maintenance and Repair Services
You might not need to replace your garage door. Talk with us and let the professionals at Doors & Things visit the garage to check out the door. We can make sure it’s in good condition and make repairs if needed. We can provide rollers, springs, lift cables, and more. We have the hardware accessories to help.
We can provide regular maintenance for your door, as well. This can help to improve the longevity of your door, and we’re happy to help.
Of course, you might find that the problem with your insulation IS your garage door. If you need to replace it, get in touch. Contact us at 705-322-0136.
When it comes to getting a new garage door, there is a lot to consider, and finding the right option can be hard. Our specialists can help you from start to finish, so you can get the door that fits your needs and budget.
You can begin by checking out the image gallery to see residential garage doors and houses similar to yours. You can also explore the Design Centre and see how the door will look on your garage. It’s fun and easy.
We’re happy to send you a free quote through email. We look forward to helping you get the perfect garage door.
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