If you want to keep your garage comfortable and energy efficient, you must ensure it is adequately insulated. However, with several types of insulation materials available for garage door insulation, it may be difficult to choose the right one. With this article, we shall introduce you to the best insulation for your garage. Before that, let’s understand what garage door insulation is-
What Is Garage Door Insulation?
In order to produce an airtight seal, workers apply insulation, often made of fibreglass, foam or other materials, to the walls during the building process. In this manner, the weather outside won’t have an impact on the interior of your house. It reduces the cost of your heating expenses and keeps you cosy in your home. Technicians use a similar technique on the garage door for energy saving and noise control, called garage door insulation.
Different Types of Materials Used for Garage Door Insulation
Companies use several types of materials for garage door insulation. However, it will depend upon compatibility and requirement to decide the best one for your garage door. Below are a few types of insulations used for the garage door-
Foam Insulation
Foam insulation is one of the most affordable and popular options for insulating your garage door. It is lightweight and easy to install, making it an ideal choice for DIYers. Foam insulation comes in rigid panels or flexible sheets and generally provides an R-value between 5 and 8. The higher the R-value, the more effective the garage door insulation will be at keeping heated or cooled air inside your garage instead of escaping through small cracks or holes in your door.
Fibreglass Insulation
Fibreglass insulation is another popular option for insulating your garage door. Fibreglass insulation comes in batts (long rolls) or loose-fill form and can provide an R-value between 3 and 4.5 per inch of thickness. Unlike foam insulation, fibreglass can be challenging to install without help from a professional due to its weight and flexibility. On the upside, fibreglass is fire resistant, making it ideal for garages attached to living spaces within a home or building.
Polystyrene/Styrofoam Insulation
Polystyrene (or Styrofoam) is another material used to insulate garage doors that provides good thermal protection while allowing air circulation through small holes in the material. Polystyrene can provide an R-value between 4 and 8 depending on the thickness, so measure accurately before purchasing this material. Polystyrene also tends to be more expensive than other insulation materials but may be worth it if you want superior protection against temperature changes in your garage space.
Radiant Barrier
Reflective materials create radiant barriers, which reflect radiant heat. It doesn’t have an R-value because it doesn’t theoretically slow down convection. Two layers of reflective material, such as aluminium, and a layer of air space are inside a radiant barrier. In order to prevent the warm air inside the garage from escaping outdoors, the professionals set up the air space using bubble wrap or a similar material.
Radiant material is one of the most affordable garage door insulation materials compared to other insulation materials. The drawback is that the setup might be challenging and time-consuming because measurements could be necessary, and the material would need to be cut.
Cellulose
Cellulose is a recyclable material made from organic paper-based products. The material has a borate fireproof treatment, and professionals spray it on garage doors like spray foam.
It is a material that has a high heat retention effect with a flame-retardant borate treatment. However, there is one downside to using cellulose, as it is one of the most expensive types of insulation available.
Things to Consider When Shopping for Garage Door Insulation Materials
Size of the Garage Door
The size of the garage door, along with the size of each panel, is an important consideration when choosing the material. Some insulation materials move along the door, while others only insulate the individual panels. Measure the space beforehand to ensure there is enough spray insulation for the entire door.
Effectiveness of Material
The effectiveness of garage door insulation can be estimated using two measurements. The lower the value of the U-factor, the more efficient the insulation shall be. R-value, on the other hand, measures the heat loss rate and the insulation material’s thermal efficiency. This rating is frequently taken into consideration by manufacturers and scaled between 0 and 16.
Weight of the Material
Spray foam and cellulose insulation can quickly become heavy if the insulation layers are too thick. Always use these insulation sprays carefully to avoid over-spraying the garage door. Fibreglass and rigid foam are easy to install and don’t often cause weight issues.
Finally
No matter what type of material you choose for insulating your garage door, having some insulation will help keep heated or cooled air from escaping into the environment around your home or business. Choosing the right type of material can depend on various factors such as desired R-value, budget constraints, ease of installation, fire resistance needs, etc., so it’s essential to do some research before making a decision.
If you are also looking for a company for garage door insulation, approach Insulation Garage Door, a premium company delivering affordable garage insulation in Melbourne. We have a team of expert workers who constantly upgrade their knowledge and provide the best services. With vast experience installing garage door insulation, we deliver expert services at affordable prices.
