Garage Door Insulation
A New Garage Door May Help You Realize Energy Savings This Winter
When that North wind starts howling and the mercury is dropping, we in western Pennsylvania know that winter is here. Our thoughts turn first towards staying warm, but we also want to save on our energy bills.
One possible place to look closer for energy savings is your home’s garage door. Manufacturers make both insulated and non-insulated garage doors. If your garage is not attached to your home, a non-insulated garage door is sufficient. However, if your garage is connected to your home, you will save a significant amount of energy savings by getting a new, insulated garage door.
Garage Door Insulation R-Value
Even if your existing garage door is insulated, there are factors to consider. First, you should look at the R-value (thermal resistance value) of both your door and garage. If your garage is attached, it is preferable to have a door with an R-value (thermal resistance value) of at least R-12.
The second thing to consider is whether or not you use your garage for more than just parking your car. For example, if it is also either a workshop or a play area for the children, then increasing the door’s R-value might provide a greater level of comfort.
Other factors to consider are the thickness of the door and whether to use polyurethane or polystyrene insulation. The general rules of thumb are that a thicker door provides better insulation and polyurethane provides better thermal resistance than polystyrene, but garages differ and so do family budgets. We can help you make the best choice for your home.
Weather Stripping
Another factor to consider is weatherstripping. Even if you have the best insulated door on the market, how weathertight your door is may be determined by the weatherstripping around your door. If that isn’t effective, then you still will be losing heat through your garage.
When it comes to the weatherstripping, look closely at your door. Are there thermal breaks at the intersection of joints? Are the ends of sections made with steel caps that transfer cold to the interior? Does the weatherstripping at the bottom stay flexible in cold weather? Most importantly, does the exterior frame weatherstripping have a double lip to stop cold air from entering your garage?
Gerald Giel Garage Doors uses double weatherstripping on all Garaga doors we install. Even if the outside weather strip is frozen stiff, the inside strip on a garage door we install continues to keep the cold air out.
Keeping Comfort in and Costs Down
The Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors
When it comes to ensuring the comfort and energy efficiency of your home, one often-overlooked component is the garage door. Many homeowners underestimate the impact a garage door can have on the temperature regulation and energy consumption within their homes. In this article, we will explore how insulated garage doors play a crucial role in keeping the cold air out during summer and the warm air in during winter, ultimately saving you money on heating and cooling bills. We will also discuss why replacing a non-insulated garage door with an insulated one is a wise investment.
Understanding the Importance of Garage Door Insulation
Before delving into the advantages of insulated garage doors, it’s essential to understand why insulation matters. Insulation acts as a barrier against temperature extremes, helping to maintain a stable indoor climate. In the context of a garage door, insulation prevents the transfer of heat and cold between your garage and the outdoors, effectively reducing the load on your heating and cooling systems.
Keeping the Hot Air Out in Summer
During scorching summer months, an insulated garage door serves as a formidable shield against the sweltering heat. It works by preventing the sun’s radiant heat from penetrating the garage, thereby keeping the interior temperature significantly cooler. This means your home’s cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard to combat the rising temperatures, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced cooling bills.
Trapping Warm Air in During Winter
In the winter, the value of an insulated garage door becomes even more apparent. Cold air infiltration can be a significant issue with non-insulated garage doors. These doors allow frigid outdoor air to seep into your garage, affecting the overall temperature of your home. This, in turn, forces your heating system to work overtime to compensate for the heat loss. With an insulated garage door, you can effectively trap the warm air inside, preventing it from escaping and leading to more consistent temperatures throughout your home.
The Cost Savings Equation
Investing in an insulated garage door may seem like an upfront expense, but it’s one that can pay for itself in just a few months, thanks to reduced heating and cooling bills. The exact savings will vary depending on factors like your location, the size of your garage, and the quality of insulation, but homeowners can typically expect to see a noticeable decrease in their energy costs.
Additionally, an insulated garage door can help extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling systems by reducing their workload. When these systems don’t have to run constantly to maintain a comfortable temperature, they experience less wear and tear, leading to fewer repair and maintenance expenses over time.
Replacing Non-Insulated Garage Doors
It’s worth noting that even in high-end homes, builders may opt for non-insulated garage doors as a cost-saving measure. If your home currently has a non-insulated garage door, replacing it with an insulated one is a smart investment in energy efficiency and comfort.
When selecting an insulated garage door, consider factors such as the type of insulation used, the door’s R-value (a measure of thermal resistance), and its overall quality. Higher R-values generally indicate better insulation, so aim for a door with a higher R-value for optimal energy savings.