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Can you use spray foam to insulate a garage door?

Spray foam is one of the most affordable insulation options on this list and it is easy to apply. Manufacturers like Clopay use spray foam to fill the space between the two hard layers of insulated garage doors. Rigid foam tends to be a bit more expensive, but still affordable.

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The temperature you keep your garage at is important. Garage temperature can affect your level of comfort when you’re inside the space, and it can affect your cooling costs and the functionality of the garage itself — including the vehicles, pipes and other items you keep inside. A properly insulated garage door provides many benefits to you and your home. When you make an investment in a project like insulating a garage door, which type of insulation is the best?

Do Insulated Garage Doors Really Make a Difference?

Insulated garage doors are triple-layered. This means there are two layers of hard material like steel with insulation material in between. Most non-insulated garage doors only possess one layer of hard material, which means they can’t take as much damage or last as long with everyday use. With just two layers of steel in an insulated garage door, your door can stand up to fairly heavy damage like sharp wood or even a blown-over stop sign. Insulated garage doors are also very energy efficient since they slow the rate of convection between the inside and outside of the garage. This can save you money spent on air conditioning in warmer months and protect your air conditioning unit if it is located in the garage. The slowed rate of heat convection offered by insulated garage doors is especially crucial if the hot Florida sun beats against your garage door for several hours of the day. Insulated garage doors are better able to resist this high level of direct heat to keep the warmth outside and the cool air inside your garage. Even lowering the garage temperature by five degrees can save your AC from working too hard in the summer. This temperature control also drastically improves the level of comfort inside the garage so you can make better use of the space no matter the weather. Comfort is further improved by the reduction of noise you hear when an insulated garage door moves up and down. Insulated garage doors and windows come in a wide variety of colors and styles so you can reap the benefits of insulation without sacrificing the curb appeal of your garage.

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing an Insulated Garage Door

The main metric people use when determining the quality of insulation is its R-value. R-value measures a barrier’s ability to slow heat transfer. The higher the R-value, the slower heat can be transmitted and the cooler your garage will stay. Clopay® garage doors have R-values of 6.3 to 20.4, which makes them great options for both attached and detached garages. If you have an attached garage, you’ll want to make sure your garage door has the highest R-value possible, since the heat buildup in your garage can travel into the rooms above it and the rest of the house. When you want to keep your garage cool, it’s important to remember to look for the highest R-value available. U-factor is another metric that may be used to gauge a barrier’s ability to insulate, but it is used infrequently. When it comes to U-factor, you’d want as low a number as possible.

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What Are the Different Types of Garage Door Insulation?

There are many types of garage door insulation to choose from. Some of the most popular include radiant barrier, fiberglass, foam and cellulose.

1. Radiant Barrier

A radiant barrier is made up of reflective materials to reflect radiant heat. It possesses no R-value because it’s technically not slowing down the convection process. Inside a radiant barrier are two layers of reflective material, such as aluminum, along with a layer of air space. The air space layer may be set up using bubble wrap or something similar so the warm air inside the garage doesn’t get transferred outside.

2. Fiberglass

This is a popular option for insulating houses. It has a high R-value, and it is naturally noncombustible. As a readily available insulating option, many people are familiar with this type and are comfortable using it throughout their homes and garages. It is tried and true and can provide excellent climate control in your garage during those hot summer months when you need to keep the area as cool as possible.

3. Cellulose

Cellulose is made from organic material and can be recycled into paper-based products. The material possesses a fire-resistant borate treatment and can be sprayed onto a garage door just like spray foam, which you can learn more about below.

4. Foam

Most garage door manufacturers use foam insulation in their insulated garage door designs because of its superior insulating capabilities and its lightweight form factor. Foam insulation tends to come in two forms — spray foam and rigid foam. Spray foam is one of the most affordable insulation options on this list and it is easy to apply. Manufacturers like Clopay use spray foam to fill the space between the two hard layers of insulated garage doors. Rigid foam tends to be a bit more expensive, but still affordable. Because it’s made from Styrofoam, it’s very lightweight and can resist moisture.

Pros and Cons of Each Type of Insulation

Consider the pros and cons of each material to help decide which insulation to use for your garage door: Radiant barrier: The pros of this material are that it’s fairly inexpensive and provides similar effects to other insulation materials. The disadvantage is that it can be difficult and time-consuming to set up since measurements may need to be taken and the material may require cutting. The pros of this material are that it’s fairly inexpensive and provides similar effects to other insulation materials. The disadvantage is that it can be difficult and time-consuming to set up since measurements may need to be taken and the material may require cutting. Fiberglass: An advantage of fiberglass is that it is naturally noncombustible, sound-absorbent and popular among homes. The cons are that it can be messy to work with, and if it’s disturbed, it can release harmful particles into the air. An advantage of fiberglass is that it is naturally noncombustible, sound-absorbent and popular among homes. The cons are that it can be messy to work with, and if it’s disturbed, it can release harmful particles into the air. Spray foam: A pro of spray foam is that it is fairly inexpensive and is easy to apply. The disadvantages are that it has the potential to cause bad odors, lose its adhesive and not maintain its insulation.

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A pro of spray foam is that it is fairly inexpensive and is easy to apply. The disadvantages are that it has the potential to cause bad odors, lose its adhesive and not maintain its insulation. Rigid foam: Advantages to working with rigid foam are that it is simple to apply, affordable, lightweight and has the potential to have a very high R-rating per inch. The downsides are that if cavities and the seams between boards aren’t sealed properly, air may leak through. Additional bracing may also be required, which will bring additional costs. Advantages to working with rigid foam are that it is simple to apply, affordable, lightweight and has the potential to have a very high R-rating per inch. The downsides are that if cavities and the seams between boards aren’t sealed properly, air may leak through. Additional bracing may also be required, which will bring additional costs. Cellulose: This material possesses fire-resistant borate treatment and is highly effective at retaining heat. However, it is one of the most expensive insulation types to get.

Request an Estimate From The Doorman

No matter the insulation type you choose, The Doorman of Southeast Florida can set it up. Insulation is only cost-effective when applied correctly, so it’s best to leave it to professionals. Next time you want to upgrade your garage door, contact us to get a free estimate.

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