Garage doors not only act as a primary entrance and contribute to your curb appeal, but they also have a major effect on the energy efficiency of your home. This is because, as a large opening, garage doors allow heat and cold to escape, especially without the proper insulation.
For homeowners looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency and the comfort of their garage, we always recommend insulated garage doors. But what are insulated garage doors and what are their top benefits? Read below to find out!
What is an Insulated Garage Door?
An insulated garage door features interior insulation to prevent the loss of heat and cooling through your garage opening. Insulation creates a buffer between your home and the outside, insulating you against extreme hot and cold temperatures. This helps you moderate the temperature of your home, cutting out extra heating and cooling costs and increasing energy efficiency.
Two Types of Garage Door Insulation
There are two types of garage door insulation: polyurethane and polystyrene. While both insulation types increase the energy efficiency and comfort of your garage, you may choose one or the other based on your budget and the needs of your home.
Polyurethane Insulation
The highest grade type of garage door insulation is polyurethane foam. This is a high-density foam that is sprayed between the layers of a steel garage door and hardens into a solid layer. Because it is sprayed into every crack and crevice of the door, it creates a more durable garage door. Polyurethane insulation also absorbs more sound and vibration for a quieter garage, and allows less heat and cooling to escape for improved energy efficiency.
Polystyrene Insulation
The more affordable variety of garage door insulation is polystyrene foam. Polystyrene is foam boards that are attached to the back of your garage door, either left exposed or between two steel layers. This type of insulated garage door also provides durability, quiet operation, and energy efficiency, but not as well as polyurethane insulated garage doors.
4 Benefits of Garage Door Insulation
Increased Energy Efficiency
As the largest opening in your home, your garage can become a major source of energy loss without the proper mechanisms in place. Poorly insulated or non-insulated garage doors allow more heat and cold to enter your garage – and thus your home – making your HVAC system work harder to keep your home comfortable. However, insulated garage doors decrease this energy loss, preventing heat and cooling from escaping or outside temperatures from affecting your home. This reduces the load on your HVAC system and helps keep your energy costs low!
Improved Durability
Over time your garage door has to handle many different factors that could damage or wear down the exterior. Because of weather conditions, stray balls, and maybe even car accidents, you need a durable garage door that will resist dents and cracks. Insulated garage doors are the solution. Built for durability and long term strength, insulated garage doors feature heavy duty steel backed by rigid insulation. This helps ensure your garage door will stand the test of time and still look great!
Quieter Operation
While non-insulated garage doors tend to rattle as the door operates, insulated garage doors absorb the vibrations and sound, giving you a quieter garage door. This can be especially beneficial if you have a living space above or beside your garage. To give you an even quieter garage door, we also recommend scheduling annual maintenance to lubricate and tighten all your garage door parts, meaning fewer vibrations and sound.
Controlled Garage Temperature
If you use your garage as a living or workspace, then you know the importance of keeping it at a good temperature. But non-insulated garage doors are not designed to prevent loss of energy or keep outside temperatures from affecting the comfort level of your garage. However, insulated garage doors create a tighter seal against the outside, helping you have a more controlled garage temperature year-round.
Let Us Help You Upgrade Your Home!
Insulated garage doors can make a world of difference in increasing the energy efficiency of your home and the durability of your garage door. They also keep your home comfortable and give you a quieter garage door operation. Whether you intend to live in your home for many years to come or want to sell in the near future, insulated garage doors are a great long term investment.
If you are ready to experience the benefits of insulated garage doors for yourself, contact Dodson Garage Doors! We are a local garage door company that provides garage door installation, repair, and service in the Greater Birmingham area. We would love to help you explore options for garage door insulation and install your new garage doors. Contact us today to book a free consultation or speak with one of our experts!
