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Insulated Garage Doors

An uninsulated garage in a Durham summer can feel like an oven, and so can the room above it. Durham Garage Door Repair Pros connects you with installers who carry insulated doors.

Here's what insulation buys you, and what the numbers mean.

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Cutaway corner of an insulated steel garage door section showing the foam core between the inner and outer steel skins

What Insulation Does

An insulated door has a foam core between two layers of steel. That core does more than hold heat.

  • Comfort. Rooms above or beside the garage stay closer to the temperature of the rest of the house.
  • Quiet. The door itself runs quieter, and less street noise gets through.
  • Strength. The foam stiffens the door, so it dents less easily from a basketball or a bike handle.

In Durham, summer heat is the bigger issue than winter cold. A sun facing door with no insulation can push a lot of heat into a bonus room.

Is It Worth It Here?

For a detached garage that only holds the lawn mower, probably not. For an attached garage, it often is.

It pays off most when there's a room over the garage, when the garage shares a wall with a kitchen or family room, or when you use the garage as a workshop, gym or laundry space. It also helps if the door faces west and takes the full afternoon sun.

Many homeowners pick insulation mainly for the quiet. A steel door with no core booms and rattles. An insulated one closes with a dull thud.

Two Kinds of Foam

Polystyrene comes as rigid panels fitted into the door. It's the less expensive option.

Polyurethane is foamed in place and bonds to both steel layers. It insulates better for the same thickness and makes the door stiffer.

R-Value and U-Factor

Door makers often advertise a high R-value. R-value measures how well a material resists heat flow, and higher is better. But on many doors, the number describes only the foam core, which is the best part of the door.

U-factor measures heat loss through the whole door as installed, including the edges, seals, joints and bottom bar. Lower is better.

A door with a great R-value can still leak heat around poor seals. When comparing doors, ask for the whole door rating, not just the core. And make sure the seals fit well.

Weight and Springs

Insulated doors weigh more. If you're adding insulation, or switching from a plain door to an insulated one, the springs have to match the new weight. A good installer sizes them for it. An old opener may also struggle with a heavier door.

An Option for Older Doors

If your steel door is in good shape, an insulation kit is a much cheaper way to get some of the benefit. Foam panels fit into the back of each section.

The springs still need to be checked afterward, because the door is now heavier. Pair it with new rollers and the door will be warmer and quieter for far less than a new door.

See garage door replacement for styles, and new door cost for prices. To talk it over, send the form or call (919) 555-0136.

Call (919) 555-0136