Insulation is important for when those cold winter months roll in. But, when it comes to your garage door, you may have the insulated garage door vs. uninsulated garage door debate, so it’s important to focus on the benefits in order to make a decision that’s right for your home. Our experts at Precision Garage Door of Delaware are here to help homeowners in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland determine the best garage door option in preparation for the extreme weather.
Materials in Insulated vs Uninsulated Garage Doors
One of the most important factors to consider in this heated (or drafty) debate is the garage door materials that you plan on selecting for your home. Insulated doors consist of multiple layers, sometimes two or three of wood or vinyl. There are multiple tiers that feature insulation materials ranging from the thicker polyurethane to the thinner polystyrene. These materials help insulate the heat from your home and prevent it from seeping out into the cold.
Uninsulated doors, on the other hand, are made with a single material. There’s no multi-layer sheets of insulation in between the tiers. Instead, they simply act as a door, and cold air will find its way in and warm air will find its way out of your garage due to the lack of insulation.
Factoring the Price of Your Garage Door
It’s no secret that insulated garage doors are a higher cost. These doors are made with better materials, and there’s multiple layers. However, the overall price isn’t astronomical, it’s just a little higher than your standard garage door. Uninsulated doors are of course cheaper due to the lack of multi-layered insulation. However, opting for uninsulated doors for the lower price tag may end up costing you over time.
Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors
There are plenty of benefits to going insulated with your garage doors. The main benefit is that you’ll reduce wasted heat and lower your energy costs. Because of the insulation in your garage doors, your garage will actually retain heat and won’t be cold and dark during the winter months. During the summer months, the air conditioning won’t be wasted, because you can keep your garage at a cooler temperature when there’s extreme heat and humidity outside.
Another huge benefit to having insulated garage doors is that it can help reduce the noise level outside. This is particularly helpful when you live in a high traffic area, because these doors can help reduce the loud horns, squeaking brakes, and particularly louder performance cars driving by.
Determining Your Level of Insulation
You’re now aware of the many benefits of going insulated with your garage doors, but before diving right in, you’ll want to select the right insulation level for your garage. There are multiple layers and types, so you’ll want to consider your options, as well as the factors with your home and location, in order to make the right decision.
When browsing for garage door types, you may come across “R-Value.” This is the form of measurement to indicate a garage door’s insulation thickness, so the higher the number, the more insulated it is. Your walls also have R-Values, so make sure that you choose an insulation thickness similar to your walls for the insulation to be at its most effective.
There are a few other factors that you’ll want to consider when choosing your insulated garage doors. If you have an attached garage, and you’re in and out of it a lot, you’ll want to look at the higher R-Value doors available. If you have a detached garage, you may not have to factor in higher R-Values.
Now that you’ve learned all about the benefits of choosing insulated garage doors vs. uninsulated ones, you’re ready to get started on your journey to keeping your garage toasty this winter. Get started by contacting us at Precision Garage Door of Delaware for your FREE in-home estimate, or simply check out this eBook, The Total Garage Door Buying Guide, to learn the tips and tricks of buying the right garage door for your home!
At Precision Garage Door of Delaware, we’re happy to help homeowners in Delaware and North Maryland with their garage door needs!