When thinking about energy efficiency and reducing energy cost, garage doors are easily overlooked. Garage doors can have a huge effect on the energy efficiency and coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter months.
So what exactly is “R-Value”? This is a bit of an unfamiliar term but in this blog we will attempt to explain what R-Value is and how it will help you to choose the garage door with the appropriate R-Value in relation to energy efficiency. The R-value on a garage door tells you how well it insulates and it is actually a means of measuring performance. So, the higher the performance level or as the R-Value gets higher the door will resist more heat loss and the better the insulation for your garage. Insulated garage doors are available in various R-Values. When choosing an insulated door, make sure to look for a high R-value, which signifies the energy efficiency of the door.
How important is it to insulate your garage door? How do you determine the right R-Value? Let’s say, for example, you happen to spend more time than usual in your garage, maybe you have a workshop there, then you’ll definitely be aware of the importance of insulation, especially if you spend quite a bit of time there working on your projects.
Then you need to determine the location of your garage and it’s connection to the rest of your house, especially if there is a room above it. If your garage is below another room in your house, air can pass through the ceiling of the garage into the floor of the room above. An insulated door will keep temperatures in the garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature from changing in the room above. If your garage isn’t attached to your house, you can opt for a garage door with a low R-value, or even no insulation at all.
When deciding to purchase a garage door it is necessary to take into consideration a few factors. Such as, if you live in a state or area of the country that see colder temperatures, like where I’m from, Worcester, Massachusetts, New England, is known for it’s colder climate, you would need more insulation and should aim for much higher R-Values than a home located in warmer states.
We recommend that you check the R-value of a garage door before you buy it. The higher the R-Value number, the better its insulation properties. An insulated garage door will help keep the temperature in the garage in a narrower temperature range as compared to the extreme range of the outside temperature. We are Worcester Door Company are professional garage door experts, knowledgeable with the selection and availability of R-Value garage doors, feel free to contact us for assistance.
