What Does R-Value Mean When it Comes to Garage Doors?

by Tony Hall - More by Tony Hall

Why does R-Value matter when it comes to garage doors? R-value is the measure of thermal resistance to the flow of heat. It is commonly indicated on manufactured items to show how energy efficient a product is. The value is arrived at based on the thickness of the insulation material and its chemical properties.

Why is R-value important?

In most houses, the garage door is the largest opening.  It's also exposed to the elements. It therefore plays a big role in regulating the transfer of heat in and out of a home. Good insulation will ensure that your home is as energy efficient as possible. You can measure the insulation of a door by its R-Value.

Apart from overall energy efficiency,insulation is essential if you have converted your garage into a home office, a workshop, an extra bedroom or guest wing. You will need it to be warm during the chilly months and cool in spring and summer.

What is best when it comes to R-Value?

Generally speaking, the higher the R-Value of a garage door, the higher the value of its insulating material. While this is true, there are other facts that you need to understand. For instance, a door or other item that has an R-Value of R-16 does not necessarily have double the thermal resistance and will not necessarily cut your energy costs by half. The fact is that an R-Value of R-16 reduces heat flow by 5% and improves energy efficiency by 5% compared to an R-8 value.

What are the options when it comes to garage door insulation?

Today, there is a choice of garage doors that are insulated and those that are not. If you can, it is best to buy one that comes with built-in insulation. If you are considering changing your garage door, go for one with insulation.

Contact a Professional

If you want to insulate the garage door that you have rather than spend on a new do, you can do so. There are kits for doing this yourself. However, it is best to leave the job to a professional. They will do it the right way for maximum energy efficiency in your home. They will know the right R-Value for your garage door based on your climate, which you may get wrong. They can also examine your door and fix other problems before they get out of hand and that are interfering with the smooth opening and closing of your door.

Who can do garage door insulation for you?

Amarillo garage door company Willow Creek Overhead Door offers some of best service, products and prices around. Call them today for installation of a new door with insulation or to insulate your existing one.

---

photo credit: chrisinplymouth via photopin cc