If you’re a proud homeowner, having a garage probably means a great deal to you. Many people use their garages for more than just to park their cars inside. A garage is a versatile space that can be used for storage, as a workshop, or as a hobby room.
You could even remodel it to create an additional room. However, a garage is also one of the least energy-efficient areas of your home, and it tends to get too cold during the winter months, and too hot during the summer.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution for that: garage door insulation. Chances are your garage door is not the most effective barrier in keeping the thermal balance regardless of the time of the year.
A simple insulation kit can make the space more hospitable and decrease your energy bills. If you want to learn more about kits for garage door insulation, keep on reading!
A. Types of Garage Door Insulation Kits
You may be surprised how many different options you’ll have when you decide to get your garage door insulated. There are many different kits that utilize various materials.
Each choice has both advantages and disadvantages and ultimately, the decision is yours to make. Below, you’ll find the most popular options of insulation materials available on the market, as listed by the experts from a1garage.com:
1. Reflective Foil
Reflective foil insulation is not particularly visually appealing. However, its ability to keep the heat out during the summer makes it worth your while. You can buy it as a single foil or double foil insulation.
The material is around an inch and a half thick and consists of one or two layers (in the case of double foil) of two films of aluminum foil and polyethylene foam in between. Reflective foil is sold in rolls.
2. Polystyrene Foam
When compared to reflective foil, polystyrene foam is less flexible, but it’s a better insulator. Garage door insulation kits with polystyrene foam are sold in large sheets. These, in turn, must be cut to fit the panels of your garage door.
3. Panel Kits
Panel kits typically contain 8 pre-cut fiberglass or plastic laminated polystyrene panels. These are supposed to fit in your garage door frame, so you need to make sure you take the correct measurements.
Polystyrene panels are less water and mold resistant than fiberglass panels, but they offer better insulation. However, both options are a safe bet if you want to buy a garage door insulation kit that’s going to look good on the outside. They’re also relatively easy to install.
4. Fiberglass
Commonly used in home insulation, fiberglass is a great material for garage door insulation. It’s durable and has a decent R-value. However, it can get messy to use and difficult to install.
5. Cellulose
If you want a material that’s completely organic, look no further! Cellulose is a low thermal material that’s made from plant fibers. It’s a relatively new solution on the market and, as such, tends to be quite expensive.
If you’re up for a big project, you may want to take that into consideration, because the costs will add up fast. However, cellulose is believed to be a better insulator than fiberglass. It’s also much easier to install, and it’s not that messy.
Read also: Top 5 Green Insulation Options for New and Existing Buildings
B. Effectiveness of Garage Door Insulation Kits
Whenever you’d like to see how effective certain materials are, check their R-value. It’s a rating that specifies the insulation level and measures the ability of an insulating material to resist heat transference.
Generally speaking, the higher the number, the more effective the material. That’s why you should always check the R-value of materials used in kits you consider buying.
Unsurprisingly, the most expensive kits will have a higher R-value by default, but you can still find a satisfying solution in the sea of more affordable options.
C. The Costs
Depending on the quality and the type of insulation materials, you can purchase garage door insulation kits at different prices. In this case, a higher price often equals better quality and coverage.
However, there are many affordable options that could work for you; just pay attention to the R-value and the features of insulation materials you want to buy.
Overall, you can expect to see garage door insulation kits at three different price points:
- Under $50. If you have a limited budget, you can still find garage door insulation kits that cost less than $50. The cheapest ones look like tin foil, or like a metallic roll of wrapping paper. The purpose of this material is to make your garage more hospitable and warm by deflecting the radiating heat.
- $50 to $75. Once the price point starts going up, you can expect more differences in garage door insulation kits. The differences are mostly going to be about the materials used to make the kit. The materials in question most likely include foam core and styrofoam insulation panels.
- Over $75. Insulation kits that cost more than $75 are most likely to be of the highest quality. They typically feature a combination of different materials to increase effectiveness. Better coverage and an easy installation process also contribute to the overall cost.
D. The Bottom Line
As you can see, it’s not that difficult to get the right equipment for garage door insulation. There are many different materials to choose from, but we’re sure you’ll find a perfect kit that suits your needs at any given price point.
If you’re still unsure whether it’s worth your while, remember that insulating your garage door comes with many benefits. The door itself becomes more durable and cancels out the noise from the outside.
It’s also the best solution to weatherproof the interior and make it more comfortable. Additionally, it can make your home more energy-efficient by keeping the temperature balance at all times of the year.
Feel free to read online reviews and real-life opinions of both experts and customers alike. This way, you’ll have the biggest chance to make an informed decision. It’s safe to say that garage door insulation is a useful investment, so make it right from the start.
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