If you have a garage, you must make sure to take very good care of it. Garages do not only keep your vehicles safe and protected but can also increase the value of your house. In fact, homeowners can recoup about 75.4% of the cost of installation if they decide to sell the house.
The door is the most important part of the garage and it can often cause problems – especially if it is not insulated.
It gets pretty cold in California and other parts of the country. You need garage door insulation in order to keep your garage warm. Do not let the process intimidate you as insulating your garage door is not as hard as it seems.
Let’s have a look at this step-by-step guide:
Know about the Type of Insulation Needed
All types of insulation have their own beneficial pro but you need to pick one based on your requirements.
- Batt Insulation: This insulation is made of fiberglass and is quite flexible. It’s usually stuffed into the exterior wall. For improved performance, you can fill the space with foil or paper. This comes with insulating values of R-3 to R-4 per inch of thickness.
- Foam Board Insulation: Polystyrene panels are used in this type of insulation. They are very rigid and not very thick. Despite this, they do a very good job of insulating the garage door. The panels usually range between 0.5” to 1” in thickness. However, you may have to face the foam board with vinyl or aluminum.
- Reflective Insulation: In this type of insulation, aluminum foil is applied to both or one side of the insulation material, which may be polyethylene bubbles or cardboard. This installation is reflective and provides extra heat with an R-value between 3.5 to 6.
Remember that when it comes to insulation, the difference between an R8 and R16 is just five percent. You can check the R-value of your door by Martin Holloway’s formula.
Select an Insulation Based on Your Door Type
You cannot just pick the most affordable or efficient insulation. The best option largely depends on the type of garage door that you have.
- Steel Doors: You’re lucky if you have a steel door. They are suitable for all types of insulation.
- Panel Doors: Rigid insulation is the most suitable option for panel doors.
- Wooden Doors: Rigid insulation is the answer here. However, you can improve results by squeezing foam board into the empty space.
- Flat Doors: Reflective insulation and foam board insulation can be good for flat doors. You can use glue or tape to make sure the job is done neatly.
Start by Shopping
Now that you know the type of insulation that you need, it is time to start shopping for the goods. Go for an insulation kit. It comes with all that you need, which means you should not have to purchase any other tools. A garage door insulation kit includes:
- Insulation: Boards or rolls. However, you may have to cut them accordingly
- Tape or fasteners
- A utility knife
- Gloves
Not all kits may contain all of these items. And if you have the tools required and you want to save money, not purchasing the kit may be the better option for you.
How to Install Garage Door Insulation
Some kits come with a small guide on how to install insulation. Here’s what to do if you wish to go for fiberglass insulation:
- Wash: Use spray to clean the door and wait for it to dry. It’s important because a dirty door can ruin the process.
- Take Measurements: Measure each panel with a measuring tape. You will need these figures to cut the batting. Also, remember that panel size often differs from each other so make sure to measure each panel.
- Retainer Pins: Measure the door to find a spot that is right in the middle of the horizontal rails. Mark this location with a pen. Now, take two retainer pins and press each into the base. Do the same for each panel.
- Batting: Put the batting on the ground (vinyl side down) and cut it after marking lines based on your measurements. However, add one inch to the width and one inch to the height. Next, put the insulation right into the center and push it carefully against the pins until it goes right inside. Once done, carefully push the cap over the retaining pin until it fits into place.
- Tack the Doorstop: Start from the top and tack weather stripping to the corner. Repeat the process for the side doorstops. Now check how much the door would move in case there are strong winds. This can be done by pressing it a little. If there is a lot of space then readjust the doorstop to make sure the door sets fully no matter how strong the wind is. Once done, pound the nails. However, if the doorstop still leaves space then consider replacing the hinges.
- Bottom Seal: Some doors come with a track to hold a seal. It’s usually made of vinyl and can harden and break over time. You need to take care of it so that there’s no risk of cool air entering your space. Remove the seal and install a new one.
- Test Results: You’re not done until you’re done. Make sure everything works well. Check the door by lifting it a little and letting it go. If it falls with a thud or doesn’t stay in its place then you might have to look at it again or call in professionals to look at the door. Leaving it unbalanced can cause it to get damaged.
The process slightly differs in case of other types of insulation.
Conclusion
Poorly insulated doors cost you a lot of money. An energy efficient door can keep your garage about warmer not just in winters but summers as well. Make sure you follow the guidelines on how to install garage door insulation correctly and seek out a professional if you need additional help.