Does A Garage Lose Insulation If Windows Are Installed?

By Tony Hall

Are you considering insulating your garage? An insulated garage is very energy efficient since it consumes a lot less energy than a detached garage. Insulation reduces heat transmission into the garage which further limits transmission into the environment. Insulation also reduces noise. You should definitely consider it if you live along a busy or noisy environment. If you are thinking about having a garage door installed, you may be considering having windows.Windows in garage doors are great if you work in your garage often, because they allow natural light in. However, you may be wondering if windows can affect the insulation.

What are my options as far as garage door insulation?

There are basically two types of insulation: polyurethane and polystyrene. Polystyrene is a tough block of insulation that is put between two layers of your garage door. The insulation is not permanently attached to the door. You can compare it to the filling in a sandwich. 

On the other hand, polyurethane is an injected foam insulation that is fixed to the garage door. It is bonded to the two outer layers of the door.

Which type of insulation works best?

Polystyrene costs less. However, polyurethane gives double the insulating R-Value, which means much better insulation. It also helps to make a door  stronger. Polyurethane foam that is fixed on wooden and metal insulated garage doors it bonds to the door chemically and makes the door tougher.

How do garage windows affect insulation?

It is advisable for some homeowners to have windows installed on their garage door. For one, you can open them during those warm days and let in fresh air. This way, you can avoid leaving your garage door partially open for ventilation, which can damage it. 

Also, a lot of people use their garages to store items like paints, fuel, anti-freeze, garden supplies, pesticides and fertilizers. Such items tend to give off fumes as can a car, especially if there's more than one in the garage. Windows also bring in natural light to your garage and they do add financial and esthetic value to your home.

There is also  a disadvantage to having garage windows. It is that they reduce your garage insulation. Heat can be lost through the windows which means more energy is consumed to keep the garage adequately heated.

What can be done?

The good news is that there is a way around this. Get garage windows that are made of insulated glass. This glass keeps the heat in just like the insulation on the door so they are very green and energy efficient.

Who sells garage doors with windows?

Raynor and Midland offer insulated glass garage windows to go with their insulated garage doors. Each of the two companies have their own selection of products. The Raynor Garage Door company has doors made like French doors, others with carriage door designs and those with mixed panels. You have more than 180 options of powder coat colors so there is something for everyone. This is under the company's StyleView range and there is also the Innovations and Wood Collection Series. Midland Garage Door company have the thermo-steel raised steel panel doors as well as Series24 options with a rugged steel exterior.

Raynor and Midland doors and insulated glass garage windows are available from Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door. Call Tony Hall today to find out about your garage door options, and he can find one that fits your needs and budget.

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