Are you looking to upgrade your garage door or install a garage door? Consider installing a garage door that will be energy efficient and can eventually save you a few bucks. If your garage is attached to your house it is especially important to consider an energy efficient garage door, because you do not want the heat or cool air escaping.
In order to get the most energy efficient garage door you must take into account the following factors: garage door material, added insulation, air leakage, and type of garage door opener.
- Garage door material:
The top four materials used for garage doors are steel, wood, aluminum, and composite wood. Steel is the most common material used because of its durability. So if you prefer to use steel make sure to choose a low gauge steel because it is much thicker and offers better insulation. Another option is a multi-layer door with insulation in between, as this is a dent-resistant, energy efficient, and durable option. In order to obtain the insulating benefits of steel while getting the look of wood you may choose composite wood. It is a more durable and low maintenance option.
- Added insulation:
Once you have chosen your door material, you will need to consider added insulation. Insulation is polystyrene or polyurethane foam. Polyurethane offers the best insulation without the added thickness. It is applied as a spray and gets into all the nooks and crannies, which makes it a much more effective insulator. Some added benefits of adding insulation to your garage door is that it can minimize accidental damage and can serve as soundproofing. For the best insulation for your garage door, always choose triple layer doors which feature thicker polyurethane or polystyrene insulation.
- Check for air leakage:
Make sure to check for gaps between the garage door and your walls in order to minimize energy loss through air leakage. To ensure minimal air leakage you will need to install well-fitting hardware and seals. You should also consider professional installation of your garage door to guarantee proper fitting and reduce any chance of energy loss.
- Garage door opener:
Surprisingly, electronic garage door openers consume power even when they are on standby. They can draw between 1.8 and 7.3 watts of power a year. In order to have an energy efficient garage door, it is necessary to opt for the garage door opener model with a low-power standby mode.
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