Installing an insulated garage door is a good idea in the right situation

Northern Illinois experiences some brutal winters. Keeping warm both inside the house and inside the garage takes some thought and effort. Concerns about utility costs contribute to the harshness of winter. Anything we can do to create heat retention helps. When heat escapes from your home or garage, those are energy dollars sucked from your wallet. Insulated garage doors can make a big difference.

Installing insulated garage doors ultimately comes down to the preference of the homeowner. Not every circumstance requires them, but they certainly do add value.

If you garage is attached to the house, adding insulated doors helps. It’s even recommended, and more so if there are rooms above the garage. In these situations, your garage door is also a factor in keeping you house warm in the winter. The higher R Value (the capacity of insulation to resist heat flow) of the garage door, the warmer your garage and the warmer your house.

If your garage is not attached to your house, you may not want insulated doors. They still provide value if your garage is heated or insulated. If you use the garage for a workspace in the winter, it’s more of a factor. If none of these apply, then insulated garage doors are not your best choice.

Another value insulated garage doors provide is that roll smoother and quieter than uninsulated garage doors. This is based on the weight of the doors. Heavier is quieter. If this is the only reason you are considering them, also consider that heavier doors result in fewer cycles, or trips up and down, before maintenance on your garage door opener. Typically, a garage door opener has about 10,000 cycles before requiring maintenance. Along with heat retention, and lowered utility costs, this provides a better return on investment.

You have two choices in types of insulated garage doors. The first is a Pan Door. These are hollow with insulation glued to the inner surface. These can give you an R rating up to 9. Your second choice is a poly-foam injected garage door. These have much greater r ratings of up to R22. They also tend to be heavier, so consider the cost of cycle reduction if you choose to go this route. For reference, your standard 2x4 wall provides an R value of 13.

Consider these options before you invest in an insulated garage door. They will guide you to deciding if you truly want one and what style to choose. Ultimately, this is a matter of what you like for your garage. But, keep in mind, a good insulated garage door can help take the bite out of Northern Illinois winters.