What are the Advantages of an Insulated Garage Door?

There are many different types of garage doors, and the one you choose for your home will make a difference in so many ways. For one, a garage door is the first thing many people notice about your house. And a good garage door will increase the overall value of your home.

Garage doors are also used more frequently than other household appliances, so they can break down over time if they aren’t properly maintained. Other important factors such as warmth and noise reduction may be considered when choosing a garage door. This is where an insulated garage door comes in handy. An insulated garage door has so many benefits, from energy efficiency to warmth and more. This article will highlight all you need to know about insulated garage doors and their benefits.

What is an insulated garage door?

Typically, insulated garage doors are built with two extra layers of steel surrounding a layer of insulation. They are often thick, and energy-efficient and this is why many residential homes prefer them. These insulated garage doors are also ideal in areas with extreme temperatures. A garage does not have as much insulation as other parts of a house. This means that extremely hot or cold temperatures will be experienced in a garage. However, insulated garage doors can make the garage a usable space for work and other hobbies as it can maintain the indoor temperature to keep it at par with the different parts of the house.

An insulated garage door can withstand harsh elements due to the layers of insulating material attached to it. Regular garage doors without insulation are known as single-layer doors. This is because it has a single layer of material, and it isn’t insulated. However, insulated doors are known as triple-layer or double-layer doors. The triple-layer door has insulation between the two layers of material, while the double-layer door has padding in its inner face. The former has more power to resist the flow of heat.

There are two main types of insulation for garage doors. The first is polystyrene insulation which is a cheaper method. It involves adding a stiff board of padding on the door to flush against the garage door’s inner surface. The second is polyurethane insulation which offers more insulation power than the former. The process involves adding a binding foam between layers of the door’s material. 

Benefits of insulated garage doors!

Some homeowners wonder why they should consider insulated garage doors. Do these insulated doors make any difference? Insulated garage doors now come in different sizes, materials, and designs, so you can also get the benefits of insulation with a stylish door to complement your property. 

Some benefits of insulated garage doors include:

Increased door strength 

Non-insulated doors have a single layer of material and are not as force resistant as insulated doors. Insulated garage doors are more robust and can handle regular closing and opening. When it comes to damage and dent resistance, insulated garage doors take the lead. They are also rust-resistant as opposed to non-insulated doors. The doors are usually made with steel frames which are insulated in between, and this makes them lightweight and sturdy. Non-insulated garage doors have a shorter lifespan since the elements like sun, heat, and wind affect them. This isn’t the case for insulated garage doors, as they are built to last and resist the elements.

Warmth 

Garages serve more than one purpose in some homes. Some people use the extra space to store items aside from parked cars. Some others use it as a base for their hobbies or a place to showcase art. Even though some homeowners do not use a garage for these purposes, they may still need to move through the space multiple times a day. If you live in a cold region, you may need to keep the zone between the house and outdoors warm by ensuring that you prevent heat loss. An insulated garage door can always help keep the heat in to maintain the same temperature all over the house.

On the flip-side, insulated garage doors help keep the warm air out during summer in hotter regions. When sunlight heats an insulated garage door, it doesn’t retain the heat. Instead, it keeps the garage comfy and cool during the season. It also saves you money for air conditioning since the hot air isn’t allowed to penetrate the door.

Energy efficient

Generally, garages are considered less energy efficient because of air leakage and gaps. When air is prevented from leaking in or out, it makes the home more energy-efficient. Many homeowners don’t know that garages have a different construction standard from other parts of the home. So, they don’t realize that air temperature in a garage can affect other parts of the house. Garages are often used to connect high traffic areas in the house like the kitchen or hallway. Some also have rooms above them.

When the air is cold in the garage, it can draw the heat from other parts of the house. The case is the same for warm air, and it is harder to keep the house cold. Your cooling and heating systems may begin to run at a higher capacity due to air leakage. An insulated garage door increases the house’s temperature in the winter season and reduces it during summer to help you save both money and energy.

Aside from these two benefits, insulated garage doors help prolong the life of your heater. When the heater does not work overcapacity, its lifespan will be increased. This will save you some money on repairs and replacement. With an insulated door, your home will benefit a great deal.

Solid build for protection

A garage protects your car from intruders or exposure to sunlight when you aren’t driving it. However, cold weather can still affect the car’s fluids, tire pressure, battery life, and wiring systems. An insulated garage door helps keep the cold out, and this can extend the car’s life and keep it working smoothly. If you store items like fertilizer, paint, cleaning supplies, and motor oil in your garage, an insulated door can help keep them in good condition.

Another benefit insulated garage doors offer the prevention of moisture buildup in the garage. When the garage is dry, it is unlikely that mold will grow, and it can be a safe place to keep items like paper, clothing, and others that thrive in dry environments. However, using the garage as a long-term storage facility is not ideal. You can use it temporarily to store delicate items. Whatever you choose to store will be safe.

Durability

Insulated garage doors are reinforced since they contain several layers of aluminum, steel, and insulation. This makes them more resistant to different kinds of damage and more durable. Dents and damage to a garage door’s surface by pets, cars, kids, weather, or equipment can reduce the curb appeal of a home and even lead to it operating correctly. Insulated garage doors are resistant to dents, so you won’t need to worry about the door’s damage. This type of garage door also offers protection for the spring, opener, and other components due to its ability to maintain indoor temperature. This would save you a lot of money on maintenance costs.

Quiet operation

Some garage doors make a lot of noise even though it may be a sign of an issue and the need for maintenance. Insulated doors do not make as much noise for so many reasons. The insulation dampens the vibration on the door, so it will not wake everyone up when it opens and closes. Aside from reducing noise while in operation, the door also keeps outside noises when you close it. If you don’t open the door, you can block out all the noise from the streets, such as barking dogs, cars moving around, and other street noises. 

Conclusion

An insulated garage door has more than one layer of steel and insulation as opposed to single-layer doors. It comes in two types and can make a world of difference in your home and garage. First, insulated garage doors help maintain your home’s temperature by keeping either the hot or cold air out. It acts as a thermal boundary or a line between the conditioned indoor air and unconditioned outdoor air. By doing so, you can save energy by reducing the amount of work your heater will have to do. You save money on repairs and replacement in the same vein when the heater doesn’t work as much to keep the house warm. Another benefit of insulated doors is durability and silent operation. If these factors are what you consider before picking a garage door, then an insulated garage door may be ideal for you. 

For more information, contact Titan Garage Doors today!