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How to Maximize Your Garage Door’s R-Value

When shopping for a garage door, you may notice that many doors have a designated R-value. But what does this mean? R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow. So, the higher the R-value, the better insulated the door will be. When it comes to your garage door’s R-value, higher is usually better. Read on to learn more about the types of insulation and garage door materials that offer the highest R-value.

Insulation & R-value

Insulation is a great way to increase the R-value of your current garage door without replacing it completely. When it comes to garage door insulation options, there are two main choices: polystyrene and polyurethane.

Polystyrene

One of the main benefits of polystyrene insulation is that it is less expensive than some other insulation options. Polystyrene comes in sheets which can be cut and attached to or inserted inside the panels of your garage door.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane garage door insulation is more expensive than polystyrene but provides a much higher R-value. Polyurethane insulation is also known for the strength it adds as well as its noise-reducing properties.

R-Value of Door Materials

If you’re looking for a garage door material that will maximize your garage’s R-value, make sure to avoid materials like aluminum and glass, which have low R-values and can be difficult to insulate. Two garage door materials that are ideal for maximizing R-value are simulated wood and steel.

Simulated Wood

Simulated wood garage doors have the look of wood, but with a higher insulation value. These faux wood doors can also be outfitted with steel which will further increase their R-value.

Steel

Single layer steel garage doors are not known for their high R-values. But, steel garage doors can be constructed with two layers of steel and a space in between. The two layers of steel provide more heat flow resistance and the space in between can be filled with insulation which will further increase the door’s overall R-value. Visit our blog to learn more about how to increase the energy efficiency of your garage door.

If you have an attached garage, selecting a door with a high R-value can help keep your home warmer during the cold winter months and keep your overall energy costs down.

Still unsure of what R-value your Portland garage needs? Our garage door installation experts are happy to provide recommendations. Contact us today for more information!

Posted in Garage News