Garage Door Insulation

Proper Garage Door Insulation Critical For Energy Saving

Garage door insulation is important to the overall energy savings of a home.  Considering the garage door is generally the largest opening in a home, the energy savings can be significant if a door is properly insulated against the elements.  While many new garage doors come already insulated, such as the Thermacore series from Overhead Door, many do not. If the homeowner does not wish to purchase a brand new replacement door, it is possible to add insulation to the existing door after the fact.  With new reforms in effect which allow homeowners a tax savings by completing home improvement projects that save energy, insulating a garage opening is as beneficial as ever.

The two most common types of garage door insulation that can be added to an existing overhead door are reflective foil insulation and panel garage door insulation.  Reflective foil insulating kits are sold with large sheets that look like aluminum, which are then cut with a utility knife and affixed to the door panels.  This method is extremely easy and requires few tools aside from a cutting implement and some cleaning products. Unfortunately, this type of insulation does not qualify a homeowner for the tax credit, but will save on heat loss, reduce energy costs and cut down on street noise from traffic.  Foil insulation is not aesthetically pleasing, but it does serve its purpose. 

Panel garage door insulation, like the reflective foil kits, requires no previous installation experience and can be completed in a weekend for immediate results.  This type of insulation is generally purchased in the form of fiberglass panels which are impervious to the elements by resisting mold, bacteria, and rust.  Fiberglass panels are easy to install, add a clean aesthetic to the door, and the results are generally excellent.  Owens Corning offers the panel version with step by step instructions in a kit that costs about $75.  This version of insulation does qualify homeowners for the energy tax credit.  Since saving money by the means of home improvements related to tax credits is a hot topic right now, there are a lot of how-to videos and tutorials available online to make the process even easier for a novice.

On the whole, garage door insulation is a necessary part of improving a home’s energy efficiency and can be accomplished quickly as a weekend with few necessary supplies.  Results will be almost immediate.  Proper insulation can keep a home cooler in summer and warmer in winter, allowing year round use in certain climates.