When trying to go green with your home and be energy efficient, be sure not to overlook the garage door. When winter hits, you may start looking for ways to manage heating costs. A well-made garage door can help you keep the temperature inside your home steady. It is important to understand how energy efficiency for garage doors is evaluated and how your particular circumstances affect the amount of insulation required. In addition to buying a new door, a professional examination of your garage door needs to be done. The professional will look for issues such as deteriorating or missing weatherstripping and insufficient insulation that might affect long-term heating and cooling expenses.
Consider the R-Value
It is well known that insulation is necessary for keeping our houses energy efficient. It may not be known to everyone that insulation is not a standardized solution. There are many concerns to examine, from applicable R-values to thermal resistance factors. All of these aspects affect how much energy efficiency can be anticipated.
The R-value is a measurement for the thermal immunity of particular construction supplies and is an industry standard. This measurement calculates thermal conductivity, which is the capability of hot or cold air to move through a barrier, such as a wall. The greater the garage door R-value, the higher its insulating abilities.
In garage doors, the average R-Values are between 6.3 to 20.4. That number hinges on these characteristics of the door:
- Density
Garage doors come in 1 layer to 5 layer selections. The energy efficiency of the door correlates directly with how many layers of insulation it has.
- Material
Some building supplies, like wood, are genuine insulators, but others require an added thickness of insulation to be proficient.
- Class of Insulation
Superior insulation components can make the door more energy-efficient.
When to Choose a Higher R-Value?
Having an attached or detached garage is just one of the many considerations that need to be made when choosing what R-Value your garage door should have. You should pick a door with a larger R-value in the following conditions:
- You Have an Attached Garage:
A connected garage usually has a doorway joining the main part of the home. Energy-efficient garage doors can impede heat from leaking through this passage, keeping your house cozy even during severe weather.
- You Need Lower Home Energy Costs:
The house’s HVAC unit will have to work harder and use more energy if your garage door isn’t insulated well enough. This is because your garage makes a substantial part of the home, and its opening can bring in or dispense a lot of heat.
- You Spend Much Time in the Garage:
If there is an office or workshop in the garage, you probably spend a lot of time in that area, and you need it to stay at a comfortable temperature. Even if the garage is solely used to house your car each night, you likely want a pleasant place to step out and go into your house. A door with a larger R-value can make sure that you are in a comfortable area when you are coming in and out of your home, or spending any length of time in the garage.
Choosing a Material
The material a garage door is made of is a critical aspect of its general energy efficiency. Examine what materials would best go with your home. When “going green,” these material options should be considered.
- Steel
Steel is a good-looking and sturdy material frequently used for garage doors. Steel doors consist of at least two metal layers with insulation sandwiched between. Besides being energy efficient, steel is also impervious to distortion, splintering, and bad weather. However, steel is not optimal in coastal environments, as it can corrode.
- Wood
Real wood doors add a particular character and charisma to your house. Like steel, garage doors made from wood consist of two sheets of wood with insulation embedded within. If the home is in a muggy climate, wood might deteriorate or become distorted from water damage, so it would need to be treated or made with a water-resistant wood type.
- Vinyl
Vinyl is notorious for its low upkeep and a surface that looks wonderful for many years. Most vinyl garage doors include extraordinary heat efficiency and protection from outdoor noises, not to mention indentations and corrosion.
Are Insulated Garage Doors Worth It?
In a word: Absolutely! A garage door that is well insulated will save you money on your utilities. even though they have a greater cost upfront. Here are some more reasons why an energy-saving door is a good investment:
- Increases property value
- Sound protection
- Comfortable temperatures
- Overall improved use of the garage
It is a good idea to have an energy-efficient door on your garage. The professionals at Integrity Overhead Door can promptly estimate how much could be saved in energy costs by checking out your current overhead door. Whether you need repairs or are wanting a brand-new, energy-efficient overhead garage door, Integrity can help. Contact us here or call us today at 806-418-5237 to request an estimate.