Why You Should Invest in an Insulated Garage Door
Posted on Thu, Oct 13, 2011 @ 09:57 AM
Everybody wants a great-looking garage door that blends with their home’s architectural style. But your garage door’s performance in harsh weather is equally important, especially here in Colorado where our climate can be harsh and unpredictable, both winter and summer.
When you consider the fact that your garage door represents 20-40% of one side of your home, it’s easy to understand why you should think about its energy efficiency.
An insulated garage door can help keep out the weather and keep your energy costs down, too. And reducing energy use helps protect our environment. Here are some reasons why you should consider an insulated garage door:
- The upfront investment is fairly minimal, but the energy benefits and associated cost savings can be significant over the life of the door. For the Colorado climate, studies have shown that a highly insulated garage door can save $200-$300 in energy costs per year compared to a non-insulated garage door.
- Even if your garage itself is not insulated, an insulated garage door will help keep heat out in the summer and retain heat in the winter.
- If your garage is attached to your house, an insulated garage door can help increase indoor comfort. More stable temperatures inside the garage will prevent bursts of unusually cold or warm air from entering your home as you enter and exit your home through the garage.
- It’ll be cozier (or cooler) and more comfortable inside your garage, too – better protection for stored belongings, and especially nice if you spend a lot of time in your garage.
Insulated garage doors can help ward off heat, cold, wind, snow and rain, dirt and dust. When shopping for an insulated garage door, pay attention to insulation type and quality of exterior materials, as well as top and bottom seals, to achieve maximum efficiency. Here are some things to look for when evaluating an insulated garage door.
- Effectiveness of insulation is measured as R-value, just like your home’s wall and ceiling insulation. Higher numbers mean greater efficiency.
- Different construction materials have varying energy efficiency properties. Polyurethane is a more dense material than polystyrene, and therefore has higher insulating properties. For instance, a 2” polyurethane door will usually offer an equal or better insulation value than a 3” polystyrene door.
- Thermacore doors (manufactured by Overhead Door Corporation) come with an R-value up to 17.5. They also have seals between door sections to further protect against wind and moisture.
- An added bonus: insulated doors are typically quieter, and they have an attractive “finished” look on the interior side.
You can also insulate an existing garage door, either by hiring a professional or purchasing a do-it-yourself kit.
It’s easy to choose a garage door that’s beautiful and energy efficient. Talk to a staff expert at Overhead Door Company of Denver to get advice from a local, experienced professional who knows both garage doors and Colorado’s weather. We can help you decide which option(s) will best suit your home, your lifestyle and your budget.
