A garage that is well insulated can make a massive difference when it comes to the energy efficiency of your home. Many homeowners fail to realize the impact the garage has on regulating temperature and energy bills. One of the best ways to help insulate your garage is to invest in an insulated garage door. As you explore garage door options, you will notice that R-value comes up often when looking into insulation and it is a key factor to consider. For many, R-value may be a term that is unfamiliar so let’s get into R-value, how it relates to garage door insulation and why it is important!
What is R-Value?
In simple terms, R-value is a measure of thermal resistance, meaning how well a material resists the flow of heat. R-value is commonly used to describe insulation for floors, attics and walls but it is also used to describe insulation for garage doors. The R-value of your garage door can be very important especially if you have a garage that is attached to your home or if you use your garage as an additional living space.
The R-value of a material will tell you how effective it is at preventing heat transfer through it. The more effective a material is at insulating, the higher the R-value will be. A higher R-value will be better at keeping the heat inside during winter and outside during summer. Here in Toronto and the GTA, we experience cold winters and hot summers so a garage door with a higher R-value is beneficial in order to keep it warmer inside in the winter and cooler inside in the summer.
How is R-Value Determined?
R-value is determined by the type of material and its thickness. Materials like fibreglass and foam tend to trap heat better since they consist of more air pockets and this leads them to generally have higher R-values. R-value is normally given per inch of material thickness so for example a material that has a 2 inch thick layer with an R-value of 6 would have a total R-value of 12.
Why is the R-Value Important for Garage Doors?
A non-insulated or poorly insulated garage door can actually account for a great deal of thermal loss. It allows for heat to escape in the winter and lets warm air inside in the summer which can have a significant impact on your living environment. These allowances can also cause your heating and cooling system to work harder than they should need to, leading to increased energy bills and putting unnecessary strain on your HVAC.
A higher R-value insulated garage door will help with maintaining a consistent temperature so that you can keep a comfortable temperature more easily within your home and garage. This is especially important when your garage is attached to your home or you use the garage as extra usable living space like a home office or gym.
Although the R-value is very important when it comes to garage door insulation, it is also important to note that it is not the only factor to take into consideration. The material of the garage door itself, as well as the quality of the garage door installation can also have an impact on the overall thermal efficiency of the door.
Types of Garage Door Insulation
There are a few different types of insulation used in garage doors and they each offer different levels of R-value. We will go over the two most commonly used in garage doors.
Polystyrene
Polystyrene is essentially styrofoam. It is a lightweight, rigid foam material that has usually a lower R-value. The R-value for polystyrene is normally around 5 or 6 per inch of thickness and is often used is more budget friendly garage doors.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is typically a spray foam that offers higher R-value than polystyrene. It is denser and usually has a value of 7 or 8 per inch of material, making it more thermal resistant. This type of insulation is used more often in higher-end garage doors.
Understanding R-value and its importance in relation to garage doors is vital when it comes to shopping around for a new garage door. Always be sure to consider climate, materials, and the desired amount of insulation for your home. Choosing a garage door with the right level of insulation is necessary for comfort and energy efficiency!