Even when a garage is well-insulated, homeowners may overlook one of the biggest structures in their garage - the garage door. Adding insulation to an existing garage door or installing a pre-insulated door can help prevent excess heat losses and reduce energy costs. However, you may be wondering if these benefits are worth the time and expense of the installation process.
Pros
Installing an insulated garage door can help make your garage a bit warmer, especially in relation to outdoor temperatures. Instead of a 10-degree Fahrenheit difference between the inside of your garage and the outdoors, a well-insulated door can create a 20-degree difference - just enough to make your garage a slightly more pleasant environment on a cold morning.
This temperature difference can also result in reduced energy consumption. An insulated garage door creates a semi-conditioned space that prevents warm air from escaping your home. As a result, your HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout your home.
Garage door insulation also has a side effect of reducing outdoor noise. Not only does this keep your home quieter, but the garage door itself will also operate in a quieter manner. Insulated garage doors also offer greater durability due to their sandwich construction, which usually consists of a layer of insulation between two outer layers of aluminum, steel or wood.
Cons
Installing an insulated garage door has its advantages, but it also comes with its own set of drawbacks. For starters, insulated garage doors tend to be significantly heavier than their uninsulated counterparts. The added weight of the insulation can make it difficult for your existing garage door hardware to cope with the additional stress.
Upgrading your garage door hardware with more durable components can help mitigate this issue. You may also need to upgrade to a more powerful garage door opener, especially if you reside in a climate where cold-related slowdowns are common.
Insulated garage doors can also be expensive. According to ImproveNet, the average cost of an insulated garage door ranges from $821 to $1,331. The overall cost of purchasing and installing an insulated garage door depends greatly on the type, size and number of doors needed. For instance, an insulated garage door made from steel is likely to be cheaper than one made from wood. Insulating your existing garage door can be significantly cheaper, but it could also prove a time-consuming experience.
To learn more about the pros and cons of insulation, contact services such as Mid-South Door Co.
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