Make your garage more energy efficient with insulation
Be it scorching hot or freezing cold, when extreme climate hits, your garage is one of those areas of the home that feels it the most. And, while you can dish out around $1,500 on the cost of a pre-insulated garage door, you can save big time by insulating the door you already own, adding garage ceiling insulation, and updating the weatherstripping. Follow these steps to have your garage door insulated and more comfortable no matter the season.
Getting the right insulation for your garage is key to making the most out of insulating the space. To do this, you'll need to factor in the R-value required to maintain the desired temperature, the insulation installation method, and the type of garage door you have, which can impact the type of insulation material you'll need.
Depending on where you live and the type of garage that you have, you want to factor in the insulation’s R-value. The R-value, or resistance value, measures the insulation's ability to handle energy loss. This is dependent on your climate zone and whether your garage is attached, partially attached, a standalone, or has heating inside.
Below are the basic R-values needed for different home types.
If you live in a cold region, you’ll want insulation with an R-value toward the higher end of the range. In warmer climates, you can choose a lower R-value.
You also have two options for installing garage door insulation materials: a garage door insulation kit or a custom fit.
An insulation kit comes with pre-cut insulation in the materials you'll need to complete the project. Depending on the kit, you may need additional tools. If you decide to customize your insulation, then you’ll buy the materials yourself and cut them to fit your specific garage door. This option can be cheaper, but it requires more measuring, cutting, and basic geometry skills.
If you have a frame-and-panel garage door made of wood, then you will need to choose rigid insulation for this project. Metal garage doors, on the other hand, are flexible and can generally use a variety of insulation types—including fiberglass batts.
Common types of home insulation materials include:
Rigid foam insulation: Best for wooden-framed panels—comes in expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and polyisocyanurate (ISO)
Cellulose insulation: Requires drywall and used for finished garages
Spray foam insulation: Best for narrow cavities
Fiberglass insulation batts: Can irritate skin and isn’t moisture-resistant
The first step is to identify where to put the retention clips (also called fasteners or retainer pins) that hold the insulation in place. To know where to install the retainer clips, you'll need to measure and mark the location on your garage door.
Use your tape measurer and pencil to mark where you'll install the retainer clips. The pins should be 12 inches away from the panel's edge and at the halfway mark between the garage door's horizontal rails. You will need two pins per door panel—with one on each side of the panel.
If you purchased an insulation kit, then peel off the adhesive tape to stick your retainer clips where you measured their location in the first step. If you’re installing insulation without a kit, place double-sided tape on the pencil markings. Press each clip firmly against the tape until every marking has a retainer clip.
For extra weatherizing measures, you can also replace garage weatherstripping if your garage door won’t stay closed. This helps prevent heat from exiting your home in cold weather and heat from entering your home in hot weather. Remove the old seal, clean the bottom of your garage door, measure the door's length, cut the new seal, and slide the new seal into the bottom of your door.
To ensure you have the right size and amount of insulation materials, you'll need to measure the individual panels using a tape measurer and cut them as needed. Be sure to measure from the inside of the panel to get an accurate length for the insulation materials.
With your safety glasses, gloves, and face mask on, it's time to cut the insulation to size. Use your utility knife for a clean, leaving around 1 inch of extra space. Remember, if you take away too much material, you’ll need to purchase additional insulation for full coverage, whereas you can always remove extra material if you find you have too much insulation.
If you opted for rigid foam panels, take care not to bend the panels as you carefully insert the insulation into the panels one by one.
Fiberglass batting needs to be fastened using a retention clip. Use your utility knife to cut a tiny incision into the batting where it lines up with the fastener clips you installed previously. Then, snap the retention cap into clip the until it clicks into place. This will prevent the insulation from falling out.
Insulating a garage door is by no means a tall ask for a determined do-it-yourselfer. The most challenging part of the installation is correctly measuring the insulation material so that it fits snugly in your garage door panels.
One area that may benefit from working with a professional is choosing the right insulation material and R-value for your garage. We recommend checking in with a professional garage door installer near you before you get started with your project to make the most out of insulating your garage door.
Without a doubt, insulating a garage door is a surefire way to make your home more energy efficient. Not only does insulating your garage door reduce your electric bills, but it also helps protect your valuables inside your garage, all while making for a quieter interior space.
In regions that drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, your car's battery is at risk of malfunctioning in a garage that drops dangerously low. So, homeowners who reside in extremely cold climates can especially benefit from insulating their garages.
Garage door insulation can last anywhere from 20 to 100 years depending on the type of insulation. Cellulose has the shortest lifespan coming in at between 20 and 30 years, while spray foam, mineral wool, and fiberglass can last between 80 and 100 years with proper maintenance.
Humidity plays a role in how long more susceptible insulation materials—like fiberglass—last. Once fiberglass batts reach the 15-year mark, you'll need to routinely inspect your insulation to ensure that it is in mint order.
While the ideal temperature for your garage is partially based on your preferences for a comfortable garage space, you'll still want to maintain a temperature between 40 degrees and 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect your belongings and vehicles. If you are unable to maintain temperatures that fall within this range, then you may want to consider installing a heater in your garage to prevent temperatures from dropping below 40 degrees.
