Many garage doors on the market now showcase an “R-value.” But what is a garage door R-value exactly, and how can it help you maintain a secure and energy-efficient home?
If you have ever looked for a garage door, you are undoubtedly already aware of the several options you have. These include the garage door color, style, and material. However, did you know that choosing the R-value for your garage door is equally crucial? Find out by reading on!
What Does Garage Door R-Value Mean?
Your garage door’s insulation value is indicated by its R-value. It measures how your garage door keeps your garage cool on hot days and prevents heat loss on cold days. The effectiveness of the insulation increases with increasing R-value.
What Should I Look For in an R-Value?
If you live in or around Omaha City, you know that the summers are warm, humid, and wet. At the same time, the winters are freezing, snowy, and windy; it is partly cloudy year-round. These harsh weather conditions will affect the R-value your garage door needs for maximum energy efficiency. Titan Garage Doors Lincoln NE recommends a minimum of R-11 for heated and insulated garages. Otherwise, an optimal R-value is between 14 and 16.
Recommended R-Values for Garage Doors
Only some people generally require a garage door with a high R-value. Therefore, deciding on a good R-value depends largely on your garage type and how much time you spend there.
The breakdown of recommended R-values is as follows:
Non-insulated to R-6 insulation: We recommend using insulation between this range for detached garages where you do not spend much time working. Having insulated garage doors makes no sense if your garage’s walls are not also insulated.
R-6 to R-9 insulation: It is advisable using R-6 to R-9 insulation for attached garages that are not air-conditioned. Despite being reasonably cheap, the doors offer enough insulation to guard against cold damage to any objects kept in the garage.
R-9 to R-13 insulation: This is the recommended range for conditioned (heated or cooled) garages. To ensure that the air you are cooling or heating stays inside where you want it, you want the R-value to be as high as possible.
R-13 insulation and higher: If you aim to build a Net Zero home or have turned your garage into a living space, you should be looking for insulation with an R-value of 13 or above. Of course, these garage doors will cost more upfront, but you will save money on electricity bills throughout their lifespan.
The Importance of Higher R-Values
Why should homeowners improve their garage doors with additional insulation with high R-values when so many different garage door options are available today? Did you know that high-quality insulation increases your home’s energy efficiency? Yes, you read it right! Adding insulated garage doors is a big investment. Higher R-values and additional garage door insulation are especially practical for:
Regulating Temperatures in Attached Garages
Depending on the season, air transfers might cause your garage to become uncomfortably hot or cold. Garage doors with an R-value of at least ten can assist regulate these air transfers.
Garage Door R-Value Reduces Energy Consumption
Let us say you have low-quality garage doors or ones with an R-value of 11 or less. In this case, you may lose much of your heating and cooling efforts through your garage door. But, on the contrary, your energy efficiency can increase by choosing a premium garage door with a higher R-value. This decision can result in huge savings in your annual utility costs.
Garage Door R-value Improves Indoor Garage Quality
An insulated garage door can significantly raise the comfort level in your garage, whether you use it for parking vehicles, extra storage, or as a living space. Choose a type with an R-value of 10 or more if you require a sustainable garage door with consistent temperatures to preserve the condition of your car and stored materials like engine fluids and paints. Also, consider a garage door with at least an R-value of 16 for converted areas like home offices or gyms.
Insulated Garage Doors from Titan Garage Doors Lincoln NE
When it comes to choosing your garage door, you have a lot of options, including those with garage door R-values. Improve your home’s efficiency with an insulated garage door from Titan Garage Doors Lincoln NE. For years, we have been serving the greater Omaha area and surrounding locations, including Lincoln, Papillion, Bellevue, NE, and Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Titan Garage Doors Lincoln NE offers home and business owners the most reliable and efficient garage door products and services in the area. With our full force of highly-trained professionals, we can handle all types of garage door installation and garage door replacement, including insulated garage doors. We also offer garage door repair and garage door maintenance, from regular cleaning and lubrication to complete replacement when needed. To learn how we can assist you in getting the best performance out of your garage doors, contact us now for free estimates!
