Share:

While your garage door may not automatically come to mind when you're thinking of home improvements, the quality of this feature can affect safety, comfort, and home efficiency. Outside air can seep through seams and gaps in a flimsy panel, causing your HVAC equipment to work harder. When looking for an energy-efficient garage door, keep the following points in mind.

How to Find an Energy-Efficient Garage Door

1. More Layers

To prevent heat transfer and air loss, choose a garage door with triple layers. Similar to double-pane windows, these fixtures are comprised of polystyrene or polyurethane foam insulation sandwiched between the steel, wood, fiberglass, or aluminum front and back panels. The thermal section will better insulate your door, while also stifling outside noise to keep interiors quieter.

2. High R-Value

garage doorWhen browsing different products, you'll come across the R-value in the model descriptions. This number indicates the ability to slow down or stop the movement of heat from surface to surface. Choose a model with an R-value above 12, as these are better suited to eliminate conductive heat that causes energy costs to skyrocket.

3. Low U-Factor

In addition to the R-value, also look at each garage door’s U-factor to narrow your options. This number refers to how difficult it is for heat to filter through the garage door material. Models with U-factors lower than .35 are designed to prevent heat transfer. With an attached garage, this means hot air won't filter inside and make the AC work harder during summer, and warmth from the furnace won't seep outside in the winter.

 

With so many garage door styles, it can be tough to know where to start. For professional help, contact Felluca Overhead Doors Inc. in Rochester, NY. Serving clients throughout Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, and Orleans counties since 1920, this Rochester-based company carries commercial and residential garage doors by North American®, Wayne Dalton®, and more well-known brands. To begin your search, call (585) 467-2391 or browse through images of their work online.

tracking