When the time comes to invest in new garage door installation in Rancho Cordova, CA, it can be difficult to determine whether you need insulated or non-insulated doors because there are several different dynamics that can affect your decision. The local climate, whether or not your garage is attached to your home and the current or future use of the space will all play a role, which is why our local garage door specialists are here to help you weigh some of these factors so you’re able to make the best decision for your garage.
How is your garage being used?
One of the largest determinants as to whether or not your garage door should be insulated is the way that you use your garage. If your garage is used as a space that you frequently spend time in, such as a home office, exercise room or rec room, you will want to add insulation with a high R-value to make sure the area remains as temperate as the rest of your home. Similarly, if your garage and the rest of your home are insulated, you wouldn’t want your garage doors to be the one point of weakness, making a door with a thermal resistance value of at least R-12 preferable. On the other hand, if your garage is only being used for additional storage space and comfort is not a chief concern, a minimal amount of insulation would be required, if it is decided that you need any at all.
Garage door insulation types
There are two main types of plastic that are used to insulate garage doors. First, there is polyurethane, which is also used to insulate entryway doors for homes. This type of insulation is commonly used for garage doors because it offers the best amount of thermal resistance per inch of thickness, meaning that the thicker the door is, the better it will insulate. Polyurethane insulation goes directly on the wall of the door, so it will also add stability to the overall structure.
The second option is polystyrene, which involves a process of layering the insulation inside the door. For a three-layer door, the polystyrene is sandwiched in between two steel doors. With a two-layer door, the insulation is added to the interior-facing side of the door.
Keeping it sealed
If you do opt to insulate your garage door, your efforts will be for naught unless your entire garage is weatherproofed. If there are still points of entry that allow exterior air to sneak into your garage, your insulated door will not be nearly as effective as it could be. Make sure that the weather stripping is in good condition, and that the joints and sections are completely airtight.
If you are having trouble deciding whether an insulated or non-insulated garage door will be best for your needs, make sure you give us a call at Action Door Service. We have 30-plus years of experience helping homeowners find the right fit for their garage door installation in Rancho Cordova, CA, and it would be our pleasure to help you find what works best for your property as well. To schedule your consultation or learn more, give us a call today!