Improve Efficiency and Operation With an Insulated Garage Door

Have you thought about an insulated garage door? If this is an addition you've never given any thought to, now is an excellent time to start. With an average low around 25 degrees during the winter months, you know that the St. Louis area is no stranger to cold weather.

An investment in an insulated door might be just what your home needs to beat the cold. Learn what an insulated garage door can do for you.

Garages are typically the largest room in a home. It should come as no surprise that it is also often a source of significant heat loss. Every time you open the door, the warmed air from inside your home escapes and the cold air from the garage forces its way inside.

Additionally, cold air from the garage quickly transfers to any rooms that surround it, such as a bedroom above the garage. This imbalance causes you to rely more heavily on the heating system. The average family spends around $2,000 annually on energy bills. More than $800 of this expense is spent exclusively on heating.

Given these figures, even a small amount of heat loss could cost you thousands of dollars over the years. Insulated doors moderate the temperature inside the garage and minimize the rate at which your home loses heat. The result is greater energy efficiency and reduced heating costs.

Extreme cold and garage door systems don't create a perfect pair. Take the door springs, for example. The spring system plays a vital role because it supports the weight of the door and keeps it balanced as it goes along the track. Even one broken spring puts the overall integrity of the door in jeopardy.

Prolonged periods of harshly cold temperatures increase the risk of these springs breaking. Lower temperatures also put undue pressure on the opener system. The harder the door opener works, the lower its life span. Lastly, uninsulated doors are typically constructed from thin sheets of steel, which makes them more prone to denting.

Insulated doors are designed from an aluminum or steel frame filled with a solid-core insulation. This design keeps the temperature inside the garage regulated, which helps you avoid spring and opener damage. In addition, the fortified structure of insulated doors makes them a better match for soccer balls or a minor accidental backup.

It's important to understand that all insulated garage doors are not the same. The critical feature that separates these doors is their R-value, which is a reference to its ability to minimize, or block, the transfer of heat in or out. The typical R-value scale for garage doors ranges from 0 to 17, with zero offering no insulation and 17 offering a high level of thermal resistance.

When selecting a door that meet's your needs, it's not just about picking a random number. For instance, you need to consider whether the garage is attached or detached, as an attached garage will require a higher R-value.

You should also consider the direction the door faces, as a door with limited sun exposure will be inherently colder than a garage that spends most of the day in the path of the sun, which means it will likely require a higher level of thermal resistance. It's best to consult with a professional to determine which option is best for you.

If you're ready to experience the benefits of an insulated garage door, the installation team at the Zumwalt Corporation is ready to help. With access to a vast collection of high-quality brands and years of experience, the team can help you find a solution that fits your needs.