Most homeowners tend to think of the garage door simply as the entry point to the garage. However, the garage door is often the largest opening in your home,
and last but not least the front and rear doors. Modern garage doors are important not only for their aesthetics and security, but also for their insulation and thermal regulation.
Older garage doors are often a source of heat loss for the home, and they also lose air conditioning in the summer. If you keep your home at a comfortable temperature, an outdated garage door is a source of financial loss.
Insulated garage doors help keep your home at the temperature you want it to be. Modern insulated garage doors use advanced materials that provide thermal regulation for your home, similar to drywall insulation. Insulated garage doors help you save money by lowering your entire home's energy bills.
Therefore, when comparing modern garage door options, also consider the level of insulation. The brands and models we carry are not only amazing, they make your home more comfortable and affordable.
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Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors
Insulation ensures energy efficiency and cost savings
In homes with an attached garage, the garage door is usually the main entry point into the building. For this reason, it is also the largest source of heat loss for the house.
Any room or hallway adjacent to the garage is affected by this loss of thermoregulation. Especially in Canada it is difficult to keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer.
An insulated garage door makes a big difference for thermoregulation. Your garage can get 10 to 15 degrees warmer in the winter months. It makes a big difference to your family home and your energy bills too.
A detached garage can increase your living space.
Warmer temperatures in the garage open up further options for use as living space. As working from home becomes more common, turning the garage into a home office is a growing trend. Setting up a workshop, a home gym or a storage area are other options.
Installing an insulated garage door is often the first step in making your garage a more livable space. It is safer and more economical than installing a garage heater. Insulation also has the added benefit of helping to keep your garage cool in the summer.
Enjoy a quieter garage and home
An insulated garage door offers more than just thermal regulation. It also blocks out street noise. This helps make the home a more peaceful environment.
It also makes a big difference for people who use the garage as a place to work. When traffic and construction noises penetrate the garage, it is difficult to concentrate on work. Insulated garage doors make the work environment much quieter, which increases productivity.
Silent operation of the garage door opener
An overlooked benefit of an insulated garage door: a quieter garage door opener. The extra layers of insulation make the garage door heavier and stronger. It absorbs more vibrations and the result is less noise when the garage door operator is working.
Opening and closing tests have shown that an insulated garage door is three times quieter than a regular non-insulated door. Your family and neighbors will thank you!
Insulated garage doors offer more strength and security
Much of the repair work we see is due to accidents on the road. People can back the car into the garage door. Or accidentally knocked on the garage door while doing housework or playing sports. Most older garage doors are prone to damage due to their rather flimsy construction.
Insulated garage doors are stronger and can withstand more damage than regular doors. This saves considerable repair costs. Most modern garage doors are constructed with layers of fiberglass, steel, and aluminum. Insulated garage doors have an extra layer: a polyurethane foam core that increases physical strength. The insulation means the door is less prone to the kind of larger dents that affect the sectional door's operation.
And more strength also means more security. The garage door is often a vulnerable spot in the home, a target for burglars and thieves. A modern insulated garage door presents potential burglars with greater challenges. The layers of metal, wood, and dense foam make it difficult to get through the garage door, especially without making a lot of noise.
An insulated garage door can add value to your home.
An insulated garage door is one of the best investments you can make in your home. You and your family will enjoy all the benefits and pass them on to the next owner. This can be a major selling point for your home and increase its value in the real estate market.
R-value insulated garage doors
For most homes, the garage is a major source of thermal inefficiency and higher energy bills. This applies during the winter and summer months in Canada as we use central heating and air conditioning respectively. The garage shares so many walls with the living room of the house that maintaining the inside temperature of the house is a constant challenge.
Cars, motorcycles and stored valuables can also be damaged if left in sub-zero temperatures for too long.
An insulated roller garage door can greatly improve the thermal efficiency of your garage by helping to maintain the temperature in your home and protecting items in the garage.
All of our custom built roller shutter doors are constructed from two layers of steel with a CFC-free foam interior for temperature regulation. We can adjust the amount of foam to suit your needs. More foam not only means better temperature regulation, but also greater resistance to external damage (e.g. gusts of wind moving debris).
Most importantly, keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter will save you on your thermostat and energy bills.
To learn more about how insulated roller garage doors can help you save on energy bills while protecting your garage and home, contact one of our mobile team managers at Garage Life today!
What is the right R-value for a garage in Canada?
Valor R=14
For Canadian homeowners considering insulated garage doors, we recommend an R-value of at least 14. Sometimes an R-value of 11 is recommended as a bare minimum to achieve some degree of insulation. However, this would work for garages with temperate climates or some form of heating.
Insulated garage doors with R-values in the 14-16 range are custom made or supplied by top manufacturers. The insulating material is polyurethane. It is sprayed with foam on the inside and leaves no room for air pockets.
Some high quality insulated garage doors have an R value of 20. This is close to the maximum for brand name manufacturers. There is something to consider if you live in an extreme climate and use your garage as a workspace all year round.
Steel garage doors: strength, security and insulation
Most modern garage doors come in a variety of materials - wood, fiberglass, aluminum and glass - but the most popular and versatile option is steel. This is especially true for insulated garage doors.
The key feature of steel garage doors is of course the composition of the steel, which makes them extremely strong and secure. Steel's strength also makes it the perfect housing for R-value-boosting polyurethane insulation. The tough exterior protects the efficient insulation at its core. Steel garage doors are more resistant to damage from driveway punctures and are easier to repair because they are an industry standard material.
An insulated steel garage door makes you feel safer and more comfortable at home. In addition, steel garage doors offer security, design flexibility and insulation at an excellent price-performance ratio. It is a very inexpensive material for your garage door!
Contact the Garage Life team forModern garage doors. We also specialize inGlass garage doorsjWooden garage doors.
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FAQs
Do insulated garage doors keep heat out? ›
A properly insulated garage door will regulate the temperature inside your garage. Just like insulating your home, an insulated garage door will help keep extreme heat and cold outside where it belongs. If you live in an area with extreme weather, your garage door should be strongly insulated.
Will an insulated garage door keep garage warmer? ›By insulating your garage door, you'll help prevent cold air from transferring through the door and be able to keep the garage an average of 10 to 12 degrees warmer.
Are insulated garage doors more durable? ›Insulated Garage Doors Are More Durable. Another benefit of an insulated garage door is added durability. Insulated garage doors for both residential and commercial are constructed differently from single-layer garage doors, which make them stronger.
Are insulated garage doors any good? ›An insulated garage door has more overall strength and durability than a non-insulated door. It can not only stand up to constant opening and closing but also remain more resistant to damage and dents from weather, kids, vehicles and everyday use.
What are the pros and cons of a insulated garage door? ›- They Increase Your Home's Value. ...
- They Save Energy. ...
- They Keep Your Garage Warmer in Colder Months. ...
- They're Quieter. ...
- They're More Durable. ...
- They Protect Your Vehicle and Belongings. ...
- They Offer Flexible Insulation Options. ...
- They Cost More.
An insulated garage door can make the space an average of 10 to 12 degrees warmer in winter, even before you crank up any heaters.
Does an insulated garage door add value? ›Like any garage door, an insulated model will add value to your home, especially if your old one was outdated and had no insulation. The insulation itself might not make much difference in your ROI, but a higher-quality and higher-priced door can increase the value of your home more than a cheap one.
Are heated garages worth it? ›Pros of Garage Heaters
Keeping your vehicles in a heated garage means no warming them up before you get in, saving fuel. A warm garage can lengthen your vehicle's battery life and performance. Plus, if your car needs a jump during the winter, you'll be much happier doing it in a heated garage.
Radiant Heating System
This makes it one of the most efficient ways of heating a detached garage, which would likely require little energy to heat up using this system. Indeed, even though it is expensive to install, its operating costs are very low and, unlike many heating systems, it is quiet, too.
Steel is a largely popular garage door material due to its design flexibility, durability, and overall value. Steel garage doors are available in an endless number of design options and provide a cheaper, more practical alternative to natural wood. Opt for insulation to strengthen your garage door and boost R-value.
What is the strongest type of garage door? ›
Most experts would agree that galvanized steel garage doors are the strongest types of garage doors. These doors offer immense structure strength and minimal maintenance.
Which garage door type is best? ›Roller doors, also called roll-up doors, are one of the most secure garage door styles available due to their design. These doors consist of horizontal slats with rollers on either side to slide them open and closed. These garage doors roll up neatly overhead without sticking out as one rigid piece.
What is the lifespan of a garage door? ›Though many factors contribute to a garage door's lifespan, a typical garage door will last around 15 and 30 years. Your garage door's lifetime will vary depending on the type and brand you choose. Factors like the weather, environment, usage and maintenance schedule also impact the longevity of your garage door.
Which garage door is extremely durable and the most economical? ›Steel garage doors are excellent for homeowners who need a durable installation. These garage doors are low-maintenance and economical, and you can often select from various colors. Most installations let you incorporate insulation to enhance R-value. Properly maintained steel doors won't dent or rust.
What is the most common problem with garage doors? ›One of the most common problems homeowners encounter with their garage doors is a door that's stuck in the open position. The first thing to check when this happens is the photo eye sensors placed on either side of the garage door.
What type of garage door is the most insulated? ›Polyurethane Garage Door Insulation
Garage doors with polyurethane insulation will provide the highest level of sound isolation and climate control, and are a great choice if you live in very cold or hot climates and your garage door is used as the primary entrance to your home.
Really, it's nothing more than a measure of the door's thermal resistance, or ability to prevent heat loss. Simply put, this is a number that reflects the door's ability to withstand the transfer of heat through the door. The higher the number, the better the door will insulate your garage.
What is a good R value for insulated garage doors? ›- For a detached, insulated garage – you'll want a door with a minimum rating of R‑10, particularly if the space is heated.
- For a detached, uninsulated garage – in this case, an uninsulated door or an R‑6 rating should work.
A garage heater costs about $0.08 to $0.80 per hour or $2 to $19 per day to run. You may only run your heater while you are in the garage, or you might install a heater that runs continuously. The longer your heater is running, the higher the bill will be.
Should I keep my garage heated in the winter? ›There are many benefits to heating your garage and keeping it warm during the winter. Heating a garage can prevent damage to your vehicle because freezing temperatures can damage car batteries. Same applies if you store appliances or other small engine machines in your garage.
What is the best way to heat an insulated garage? ›
A low-intensity infrared tube heater can be one of the best ways to heat up your garage. (Not the kind that glows red, since that could be a potential fire hazard.) Instead of blowing air like a forced-air unit, a tube heater radiates heat throughout your space.
What are the benefits of an insulated garage door? ›- Increased Energy Efficiency. An insulated garage door helps reduce energy loss by keeping heat from escaping in the winter and preventing hot air from entering your garage in warmer temperatures. ...
- Quieter Operation. ...
- Increased Door Strength. ...
- More Comfortable Garage and Home.
Here's the bottom line: If you don't supply heat or cooling into your garage, the garage space temperature will eventually start to be quite close to whatever the outdoor air temperature is, no matter how well insulated the garage walls, ceiling and garage door are.
Does adding garage door insulation do anything? ›Insulation adds an extra layer of durability and protection to your garage door. A well-insulated garage door will keep your garage at a consistent temperature, often saving you money on energy bills. This energy efficiency is also better for the environment.
Does garage door insulation work summer? ›Garage Door Insulation Kits – The Best Way to Keep Your Garage Warm in the Winter and Cool in the Summer. While adding space heaters in the winter or portable fans in the summer can help regulate how warm or cool your garage is, insulation is ultimately the best way to keep your garage cool in summer and warm in winter ...
Does an insulated garage increase home value? ›Does a finished garage add value? Real estate agents say finishing your garage may add almost $10,000 to a home's worth by making it more appealing to prospective buyers. A garage's worth is increased more by finishing than converting it.
How much does it cost to have your garage door insulated? ›When replacing a garage door, installing an insulated model typically costs $700 to $2,300, depending on factors like door type, size, insulating materials, and more. In some cases, the price balloons to $4,300 or more, such as when homeowners request a large three-car door made from expensive materials.
Will insulating unheated garage cause mildew? ›Is the garage heated? If it isn't, you don't want to insulate; doing so can cause mildew.
Why not insulate garage? ›If you are looking to reduce your energy costs, the best bet is to put time and energy into insulating the attic space over your attached garage. This helps balance the temperature in that part of your house. Unfortunately, insulating your garage will not make much of a difference with your energy bills.
Why do people crack their garage doors? ›“That heat can infiltrate your house through the common walls. Oftentimes, rooms adjacent to and above the garage are the hottest in the house because of this buildup of heat. Some garage doors have vents in them, but cracking the garage door relieves some of the heat.
How much does it cost to insulate a 2 car garage door? ›
Insulation Location
For example, the cost to insulate garage doors is the least expensive, since they're easily accessible. Homeowners can expect to pay between $500 and $700. With a typical price range of $600 to $900, floors don't cost much more to insulate.
Insulation is a great way to increase the R-value of your current garage door without replacing it completely. When it comes to garage door insulation options, there are two main choices: polystyrene and polyurethane.
What is the most cost effective way to insulate a garage? ›You'll need to remove the drywall in your garage if you want to install fiberglass or rigid foam insulation, but fiberglass insulation is one of the best insulations for garages because it is readily available, affordable, and easy to install.