Garage doors protect the inside garage items from the abrasions and weather extremes outside. Do these work better when insulated as well?
The simple answer is yes! Garage doors, when insulated, provide additional benefits to garage owners. Apart from easy maintenance of the internal garage climate, insulation offers noise cancellation and a stronger screen that can withstand greater force and abrasions than uninsulated garage doors.
The article below mentions details of how an insulated garage works best, along with steps on how to insulate garage doors at home. Read on!
Why insulated garage doors work best
Insulated doors are an improved version of traditional metal doors used in most houses. These foam core fiberglass doors have the special ability to save energy and maintain a constant temperature inside, as long as these doors remain down. Some of the most noticeable factors to consider before making the shift to insulated doors are mentioned below:
Is your garage used as a workspace?
When using a garage as a workspace, there is a continuous need to ventilate the place and make room for fresh air. If such is the case with your daily routine, insulating might not be the best idea for you. The main use of insulation to maintain an internal temperature gets overruled by the work’s nature and need.
On the contrary, insulated doors can save tools, cars, and other belongings from getting wrecked by harsh external temperatures.
Is your house internally attached to the garage?
If this is the structure of your house, getting an insulated garage is a very good option. This is because an insulated garage can provide safety from extreme external weather changes. If you live in a place where the outside temperature is very cold or extremely hot, getting an insulated garage will be suitable for your safety from such changing external conditions.
Do your pets visit your garage often?
If yes, an insulated garage door will be a great option. The controlled temperature will help keep them safe inside and suit their body temperatures as per their convenience. In addition, this will stay unintentional flu and health concerns at bay.
Are you planning on selling your house?
If yes, insulated garage doors are a good option. These doors increase the value of the house and also save energy costs. They work in all weathers and work more peacefully. They appear more polished and remain durable for longer timer periods. These increase a house’s value when selling and work well with potential buyers.
Best insulation materials
If you plan on insulating your garage yourself, or if you wish to check the quality of an already insulated door, you should analyze the following.
Batt Insulations
These come in three types and refer to the materials’ shape for effective insulation. These are usually strips or rolls and are soft and flexible. The minimum thickness of these insulations is 3.5 inches and is as thick as needed. The three types best suited for garage door insulation are:
Ceramic
Made from ceramic fibers, spun well helps insulate appliances that face extremely high temperatures, such as furnaces. It works well; however, it is a bit on the costly side.
Fiberglass
This is a very common and affordable type of Batt insulation. It is made from glass spun so fine that it takes the shape of threads. They hold the impeccable qualities of glass with the ability to withstand temperature harshness and are also water-proof. It is available in widely available forms, such as rolls and strips.
Rockwool
This form of Batt insulation is made from hard materials, including steel. It is also known as slag or mineral insulation and can withstand high temperatures. Because of the materials used to make it, Rockwool is not a very costly insulation method.
Rigid Foam Insulation
These are the preferred choice for DIY insulations as they are easy to find, cut, and use. When fire-rated and faced with foil, the three categories of Rigid Foam Insulators mentioned below are useful for getting the job done.
Polyisocyanurate (ISO)
These foams are made by spraying the insulating material. Thus, these need to have a covering to maintain the working ability of the materials and are often covered with foil.
Expanded and Extruded Polystyrene (EPS and XPS)
Available in both faced and unfaced forms, these polystyrene foams offer great insulation and are often used for garage door lines. They are flexible and rigid and can fit places according to one’s needs. XPS is easier to differentiate from EPS as its boards are available in several colors, including green, blue, and pink.
DIY: How to insulate at home
When working on insulating at home, you will need the following items:
- Insulation panels
- Knives
- Gloves
- Adhesive tape
- Insulation kit, if needed.
Steps
- Using the utility knife, cut the insulation panels according to your need and the size of the garage doors.
- Select a side of the door or the garage, apply adhesive tape to the panel, and ensure the fit is accurate.
- Once this has been done, pick the panel and place it on the side to be insulated. Press on the board to ensure a proper fit.
- Repeat for all sides until all sides have been done. Leave the garage for some time to allow the panel to settle.
Tips
- To keep the expenses low, use 1.5 inches of foam thickness for insulation.
- Insulation can help keep out unwanted air or humidity and maintain the required temperature, making it suitable for garages that are not heated.
- Use insulating material that is compatible with your door’s material to ensure the door does not get very heavy.
Conclusion
Garage door insulation, if done right, can do wonders to one’s house and the items stored therein. Finding a natural way to tackle the outside changes while remaining safe indoors is a factor that must consider when purchasing or modifying a house. Such practices are great to recognize and even better when done yourself. However, your decision should be after proper analysis and recognition of needs.
