What You Need To Know About Insulated Garage Doors
“It’s a beaut, Clark. It’s a beaut.” If your family is like mine, the winter holidays mean a time for decorating, eating, and spending time with family watching festive movies together. This time of year also means an increase in gas or electric bills due to falling temperatures and heaters working harder to regulate the temperature in your home. Fortunately, your garage door doesn’t only add curb appeal to your home; it can also provide your heater – and your wallet – with some welcome assistance.
Non-Insulated and Insulated Garage Doors
There are two types of garage doors you can purchase: insulated and non-insulated. Non-insulated doors are exactly what they sound like – a door composed of a single layer of metal that is made up of separate panels. These doors are what home manufacturers typically install in subdivisions due to their minimal cost and ease of installation. Also, insulated vinyl-back doors cost around $250 more than a non-insulated door, but have foam that is inserted into the panels. This foam helps keep heat in your garage and prevents cold air from finding its way into your home.
Non-Insulated Garage Door
Insulated Garage Door
Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors
Another — even more money-saving — type of door is a steel-back insulated garage door. Steel-back insulated garage doors are kind of like a sandwich: you have a layer of metal, a layer of foam, and another layer of metal in each panel. The additional layer of metal helps provide another barrier to prevent air loss in your garage. These doors will cost around an extra $500 compared to non-insulated doors. However, if you use your garage for entertaining or as a workshop, they are well worth the increased price.
According to constellation.com (an Exelon company), ENERGY STAR reports that a home that is properly insulated and has an insulated garage door can save homeowners up to 15% on their annual energy bill. Insulated garage doors are also great for the resale value of your home and can provide some noise reduction. Steel-back doors are also stronger than non-insulated doors in the sense that the additional layer of metal can help them maintain their shape and stability if someone accidentally backs into the door. These doors are also well worth the additional cost because their longevity is much better than a traditional non-insulated door, meaning you won’t need to replace or repair them as often.
Takeaway
When looking to replace your garage door, there are several factors to consider. Not only do you want to keep in mind your price point, but it’s also important to consider how much time you spend in the garage, what it is used for, and the impact cooler – or higher – temperatures have on your home’s energy bill. While it may be a higher upfront cost to install an insulated garage door, it can also provide you and your family with a more temperature-controlled home and a little extra cash in the long run.
If you want to learn more about insulated garage doors and how they can benefit your home, come to the experts at Dr. Door Company! We perform garage door installation for Lancaster, Carroll, and all of Fairfield County!
