What is garage door insulation?
Garage door insulation is one of the most common requests among homeowners who are looking to save money by maximizing their home’s energy efficiency. Insulating the garage door allows the homeowner to reduce wasted energy, cut down on monthly utility bills, and can even increase property value. While insulating your garage door is typically not required for standard residential homes, it can be a great way to save money on energy costs.
Garage doors are one of the most common places for air infiltration in American homes because they are usually uninsulated and surrounded by cracks that allow airflow. Even if your garage door is well insulated, to begin with, that doesn’t mean it can’t still be improved. The most common areas of the garage door where air infiltration occurs are around the roller tracks, sealant problems, and vents.
Garage Door Express Austin recommends that you consider adding insulation to your garage door if you are looking to save money on utility bills or increase property value. Insulating the garage door can be a fairly simple project for do-it-yourselfers, and with just a few hours of work, you’ll be able to start saving money on energy bills right away.
Is it necessary to insulate your garage door? What are the benefits of insulating your garage door?
Garage doors are designed to keep the weather out, but that means that they also keep warm air or cool air inside. By reducing the amount of heat, cold, and noise that passes through your garage door you will improve the quality of air in your home.
When deciding if you should install insulation in your home, keep in mind that the average American family spends more than $2,000 every year on energy costs. Insulating your garage door is a great way to lower energy costs. In most parts of the country, heating and cooling account for more than half of a family’s annual energy expenses.
Insulating your garage door not only provides an extra barrier of protection against the elements, but it helps you maintain a comfortable home year-round. It can even help lower your monthly heating and electric bills by making your home more energy-efficient.
Insulating your garage door can benefit you in several different ways. Your home will stay more comfortable year-round while lowering your energy costs at the same time.
Why is it important to insulate my garage door?
Aside from the reasons stated above, we discuss more in detail below:
1. Aesthetic value – insulation can help maintain the integrity of your garage, giving it a more uniform look that you will be proud to show off to friends and family.
2. Security – insulating your garage door provides an extra measure of security because it helps prevent people from entering without any knowledge of your home.
3. Safety – insulation also provides an extra layer of safety for your family because it acts as a barrier between you and the harsh weather outside. If something should happen, like a fire or other emergency, the insulation will help contain the situation to just your garage door rather than your entire house.
Is it worth insulating my garage door prior to selling it?
Insulating your garage door allows the homeowner to reduce wasted energy, cut down on monthly utility bills, and can even increase property value. If you are looking to save money on electricity costs or want to increase the resale value of your home, this is an easy project that can be completed in just a few hours for very little money.
As mentioned above, even if your garage door is insulated, to begin with, the benefits of insulating it are still significant. The most common areas where insulation can improve are around the roller tracks, sealant problems, and vents.
The first step to take when deciding whether or not to insulate your garage door is measuring how much insulation you already have. To see if you want to add more insulation, tape a flashlight to your garage door and take a look at the areas where light is shining through.
Once you have identified these problem areas, fix them, or else install extra insulation on top of what you already have.
Garage Door Insulation FAQs:
What type of insulation works best for garage doors?
There are several different types of insulation you can use to make your garage door more energy efficient, such as:
Dense-packed cellulose – this is made from recycled newspaper and treated with flame retardants. It has an R-value between 3.2 and 3.8 per inch and can be installed over existing insulation.
Spray foam – a popular choice that offers a high R-value of 5 per inch, spray foam is environmentally friendly and has minimal effects on indoor air quality. It is quick to install and easy to work with.
Polyurethane panels – rigid polystyrene panels are lightweight and offer an R-value of 3.8 to 4 per inch, while also protecting against moisture for increased durability.
Mineral wool – a preferred choice by most professionals because it has a high R-value of 4.5 per inch, is fire resistant, and offers a Class A rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
How do I calculate the amount of insulation needed for my garage door?
Garage doors are made in standard sizes, so when ordering the insulation you only need to specify the width and height of your garage door in inches, plus how many inches thick you want your insulation to be.
For example, if you have a 9×7 garage door, your width is 63 inches and the height is 44 inches, with an insulation depth of one inch, you would need a total of 248 cubic feet.
Can I insulate my roll-up garage door?
Yes. In fact, roll-up garage doors are commonly included in residential insulation projects because they have a large surface area and can be easily accessed from either the inside or outside of your home.
In most cases, you should be able to complete this project on your own with basic tools; however, it’s always best to consult your local contractor to ensure the proper installation of your insulation.
A roll-up garage door that is poorly insulated can cost you hundreds of dollars every month in energy bills. The extra insulation will help maintain a comfortable temperature within your garage while also preventing drafts, water damage, or noise from outside sources.
Can I insulate my wood garage door?
Yes. Wood garage doors are commonly insulated with the same type of materials used for exterior walls, roofing, or floors.
You’ll need to remove the door from its hinges and inspect it closely before using anything other than fiberglass insulation.
If you find any sections that have been compromised by water damage, high humidity levels, pests, or other problems, you may need to replace the door before continuing.
Can you insulate an existing garage door?
If you are unable to remove your garage door system for insulation, you will need to patch the existing insulation with new materials.
You will also need to make sure there is no water damage before applying any kind of insulation on an exterior wall or floor because that could lead to mold or rot.
Once you have ensured that your garage door is completely dry, you can insulate the exterior using the same method as if it were a new installation.
There are some options for installing insulation on an existing garage door system. Depending on the size of your garage and the thickness of your insulation needs, you may be able to conceal your insulation with paneling, molding, or another decorative element.
This will allow you to keep the natural look of your garage door system, while still enjoying all of the benefits that insulation has to offer.
Whatever option you choose for installing insulation on an existing exterior garage door system, always be sure to follow safety precautions and ensure that you do not obstruct oncoming traffic.
How much does garage door insulation cost?
The cost of insulating your garage door varies depending on the type of insulation that you choose.
The most common choice is fiberglass batting, which can be purchased at any home improvement store for around $1 per square foot.
For the average garage door (10 feet wide by 7.5 feet high), this insulation will run you around $100. There are also more permanent insulation options that can be installed by a contractor.
Who should do the installation?
Before beginning your project, it’s best to consult with a local dealer who specializes in garage door insulation. It may seem like a simple process but there are many factors that work together to ensure proper installation, such as the material you choose and the size of your garage door.
Garage doors are a great way to bring in extra light and save money on air-conditioning costs. However, if yours is made of metal or another material that isn’t insulated, you’re going to need to take steps to keep the heat out!
What is the most popular type of garage door insulation material?
If you’re looking at easy ways to add an extra layer of warmth or cut down on your energy use, fiberglass batting is a cheap and efficient option that will quickly increase your home’s comfort.
Fiberglass insulation is cheap and easy to use. Fiberglass insulation is the most popular type of garage door insulation material, and for good reason! This cost-effective solution is easy to use, doesn’t require any special preparations before installation, and helps keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
It’s a great way to cut down on your energy expenses without having to make drastic changes.
Can I insulate my garage door on my own? How do I start?
Before you begin, remove your garage door. If you want to insulate your garage door, the first thing you need to do is remove it from its hinges.
The garage door insulation process should only take a few minutes and can be done by one person. Simply use a screwdriver or drill to remove both bolts on either side of the door. Just remember, for best results the insulation should be applied evenly across your garage door’s surface, so avoid cutting corners or attempting to apply it by yourself.
If you need extra assistance or are unsure of how to properly go about adding insulation, consult with a local dealer who specializes in garage door insulation.
They can help ensure that old materials and staples are removed, and your garage door is insulated evenly. They can also help you find the right insulation material to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer!
Two easy ways to begin the insulation process:
1) Insulate your garage door from the inside or the outside
The main difference between insulating your garage door from the outside or inside is how you install it. If you plan on doing it from the inside, remove any metal tacks, staples, or other fastening devices from around the inside of your garage door. From there, simply cut a piece of fiberglass insulation to fit each section and tack it down with a few staples.
2) An alternative method is to use adhesive-backed batting for an extra-secure hold.
If you’re going from the outside, you’ll need to prepare the surface by removing any old insulation and scrubbing it down with a wire brush.
Have you ever wondered if your garage door needs insulation?
The answer is yes! It’s not just a matter of comfort, but also safety.
If you’re looking for an Austin garage door company that will give you honest advice and high-quality workmanship. We have been serving the Greater Austin area with quality service and affordable prices. You can trust us to help you make the right decision on your new insulated garage doors in Texas.
Our 24/7 emergency services mean we’ll be available whenever your home needs assistance with its doors or openers.