When shopping for a new garage door, investing in insulation is a common consideration for homeowners. A properly insulated garage door can increase the energy efficiency of your home and help regulate the temperature indoors. However, installing an insulated garage door is more expensive than a non-insulated garage door.
Is the investment of an insulated garage door worth the higher price? To help you answer that question, we’ve complied the pros and cons of insulated residential garage doors.
What is R-Value?
“R-value,” or “resistance value” is a term used to measure the insulation capabilities of a material. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. Depending on your location in the United States, there are different R-values recommended for building insulation.
Insulated Garage Doors
Most insulated garage doors include layers of polystyrene, a dense insulation foam. More strongly insulated doors use the even denser polyurethane set between layers of steel.
The Pros
Garages aren’t often built with energy efficiency in mind unless it’s specifically requested. If it’s attached to your home, your garage can transfer cold air into the rooms next to it, compromising their R-value. Insulating your garage may help prevent heat loss within your home and lower your energy bill.
If you live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures in the summer or winter, an insulated garage door can help you maintain a consistent temperature year-round. In addition, that added insulation can help protect your vehicles, tools, and any other temperature-sensitive belongings stored inside your garage.
A new residential garage door increases your home’s value; a new insulated residential garage door will do the same to an even further extent. Insulated garage doors tends to operate more quietly than non-insulated ones, and they’re typically more durable due to the extra layers. Polyurethane, especially, minimizes the vibrations of your garage door.
The Cons
The most obvious drawback to an insulated garage door is the higher price, as you’re paying for the extra material required to insulate the door. However, the savings from your lowered energy bill will likely recoup the initial cost and lead to further savings in the future.
If you’re committed to having windows on your garage door, that will compromise the R-value of the insulation. You could consider insulated garage door windows, though these will add additional cost.
Lastly, if you keep your garage door open for long periods of time, or if it’s frequently opened and closed, it may not be cost efficient to install an insulated garage door.
Still not sure if an insulated garage door is the right choice for you? The experts at American Door Works are equipped to answer any questions and help guide you to the perfect residential garage door for your home.