The right garage door should do more than just add beauty and value to your home, as it must also protect your space from the elements. When choosing the perfect door, here are a few things to know about having your garage door properly insulated.

R-Value is Important

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends an R-value of four or higher for homes in most of Missouri. Although an R-value of four is recommended, you could needed additional protection for an attached structure. This is particularly true if you have a heated garage or frequently go in and out an adjoining door. In those instances, an R-value of between ten and twelve might be better instead. The higher level will help prevent the heat loss that might occur when the door is opened.

What if you use your garage as a workshop or have living space over top of it? This would require maximum protection, so you should consider an R-value of 14 or over.

Keep in mind that there are no Energy Star rated garage doors. This is because there are so many different uses for garage doors in general. As such, insulation is only one factor to consider when making a selection.

Star Insulation Values

How do you know what R-value a garage door has? One way is to look for its star rating. Star ratings are generally calculated as follows:

• One star is given to doors with an R-value of 6 or below.
• Two-star doors are rated between seven and nine.
• A three-star door will have a value of between 10 and thirteen.
• Four-star doors are the gold standard, and include those with an R-value of fourteen and above.

Choosing the Right Material

Garage door insulation comes in two basic forms: polyurethane and polystyrene. Polyurethane is sprayed into cavities between garage door panels, while polystyrene consists of solid pieces that are glued in. This means that polystyrene will maintain its shape better than polyurethane, which tends to be more rigid.

The fact that polyurethane is stiffer means that there are no air pockets, as is often the case with polystyrene. As such, many contractors recommend polyurethane over polystyrene because it provides better insulation overall.

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when choosing a garage door that is properly insulated for your Missouri home. If you need assistance in selecting the right one, please contact us.