Have you had time to winterize your house? With winter coming up, we have some hacks for saving energy and money when temperatures drop.
You’ll need to do an assortment of things to be sure your home (and garage) are set up for winter weather. Everything from the landscaping in the yard to your HVAC system and more will come into play. We want to disclose all these things with you through this comprehensive checklist. We’ll make certain you don’t miss something related to the garage door.
If you want to conserve money for the holidays or a vacation, we'll detail the most cost-effective winterization options. This can also help you save some money on charges compared to years past. It won’t take a lot of time or money and you can expect some wonderful results.
Dig this look? These garage doors are from the Townships Collection, in the Eastman E-21 Design, 9' x 7' size, Ice White Colour for the doors and overlays, with 8-lite Orion windows.
Initial Steps to Take
Prefer this look? This garage door is a North Hatley LP Design, 9’ x 7’, Desert Sand, windows with Richmond Inserts.
Make Sure You Understand R-Values
The R-value measures how much resistance there is to the flow of conductive heat. The more the R-value is high, the more your garage is well insulated. To avoid your garage temperature declining quickly because outside freezing air found a way to get in, take a look at the insulation. Excellent insulation ensures the warm air is inside and the cold air is outside.
When the R-value is elevated, that means you have superior insulation performance along with preservation against heat loss. The right R-value for you differs based on the place, weather, and space you need to insulate. As an example, floors have lower R-values than attics since the latter requires the most extensive insulation.
Amount of thermal insulation required for garages
Like your home’s door, if you have an attached garage, its door is going to be one of the major access points to the house. This door can have an effect on how warm or cold it is in the house. It also determines the amount you pay in utility bills every month. Every house is unique so the right R-value for you will depend on these factors:
● Insulation
An R-16 thermal resistance should be reached if you want your garage very well insulated. If your goal is to be comfortable in your garage, but it doesn't bother you to wear a coat when you stay there, an R-value of 12 should suit your needs.
● Attached vs. detached
If you have an attached garage and you want to save on your heating bills, the R-value should be at least 12 for the garage. That way, you will lose less heat from your house to heat the garage. For a detached garage, the insulation needed depends on the usage you do of your garage.
● Usage
If you and the family spend lots of time in the garage (work, gym, etc.) or the room above, an R-16 thermal resistance or more is required. The usage you do of your garage determines the insulation you need.
Materials with insulating properties
There are 2 styles of garage door insulation and each has its own characteristics:
● Polyurethane is a type of foam that is placed between the interior door skin and face. Heat causes it to expand to fill the area. The expansion is fast, so the foam quickly fills the space between the panels, which is an advantage over polystyrene. In addition, it's solid and thick so it has better resistance to bending compared to polystyrene.
● Polystyrene, which you may see as Styrofoam, is offered in large sheets that are inexpensive and easy to set up. However, it's far less dense than polyurethane, making it less ideal for insulating a garage door.
See the difference between polyurethane (on the left) and polystyrene (on the right) insulation for garage doors.
Other factors to consider regarding garage door insulation
● Bottom garage door gap
Gaps can be generated near the bottom of the garage door. This can let in things like insects, dust, and rainwater that you want to avoid. Inspect this space at the garage door weatherstripping to see whether it needs to be replaced. Consider a garage door threshold if this area is uneven.
● Garage door opener
Depending on the setting, the garage door opener could aid in pulling the door toward the floor to prevent gaps. Look at your manual to see what settings should be in place for the best positioning.
● Garage door gap at sides and top
In time, the perimeter weatherstripping (also called perimeter seal) will start to tear and crack. Those cracks will let the cold air come inside your garage. Replacing the weatherstripping is the best option to stop the cold air infiltration.
The stop molding is made of a stiff piece and is often created of PVC but looks like wood. You have to screw or nail this to the jamb at each side and on the top. You'll find a rubber flange against one of the edges that fit against the door's face to prevent the elements from getting inside.
What about the insulation for the walls?
Walls and ceilings
Quantities and prices can vary based on how much insulation is needed. Remember that walls don't need the same R-value as a ceiling since warm air goes upward and leaves through the roof. Bringing in a professional will ensure you make appropriate choices, and the installation is done well.
Those who want to insulate their garages on their own can follow a simple four steps from Dumpsters.com:
● Step 1: Make sure the walls are cleared
● Step 2: Seal gaps and repair damage
● Step 3: Place fiberglass insulation
● Step 4: Add drywall on the top of the insulation
They also give information about the pros and cons of various insulation. Look at the blog for tips on keeping air from getting through ceilings, doors, and walls.
Insulate your walls and ceilings adequately, and you will save energy! Image from Pixabay.
Windows
Windows are used in garages to create a better appearance and increase natural light. However, they need to be installed in the right way to prevent cold air from coming in. Thankfully, there are several ways to seal your windows based on your budget:
● Weatherstrip
One of the simplest ways to keep air out is by using weatherstrip tape. Cut it to the correct size and use it on the window frame. This will keep air from leaking inside through the windows.
● Caulk
The caulk around the window can crack over time. It should be inspected each year to make sure it's not separating. Look at this article to find out which caulk is the best and how to use it.
● Window treatments
Placing thermal curtains can help make your garage look nice. It's a thick material that reduces energy costs by increasing your window insulation and avoiding heat loss.
Note: These tips are great for typical home windows as well as windows in the garage.
Light switches and outlets
You must think: why do they mention wall switches? Based on Conservation Mart, homeowners commonly forget these when it comes to sealing against air infiltration. However, 2 to 5% of air infiltration is related to light switches and outlets.
Take a look at 7 easy ways to learn how to avoid heat loss by insulating the switches. For example, you can seal a variety of junction boxes using only three items.
Many ideas are given in this guide for you to learn how to keep the cold air outside. Use them to get your garage comfortable all winter long!
How to deal with garage condensation
Garages experience condensation when water touches a cold surface like a garage door or floor to build moisture. While most of today's garage doors have plenty of insulation, there are a few areas where you should look for leaks.
Avoid any water on your garage floor
Here are tips to keep water from flowing into the garage. 1- Have sufficient drainage. 2- Have a floor with a slope to avoid slippery surfaces and flooding. 3- Inspect the floor regularly to see if leaks or cracks are present.
If the condensation problem is important, it can occur water and bacteria in the garage. A high humidity level in your garage can bring heating concerns. Moisture can cause horrible damage to your door over time.
This garage has the proper garage door seal and floor finishes to prevent water from leaking.
Two options for avoiding these problems and preventing issues with your house structure are a dehumidifier and floor coating.
Keep the garage nice and warm to help with home temperatures
Fiberglass batt insulation can support your efforts. So can a unit heater or a radiant heating system. There are several other options. No matter what you choose, you should make sure the garage is heated throughout the year.
● Prevent damage to garage door parts and avoid frozen pipes
● Ensure appliances and belongings are safe from the cold
● Avoid excess moisture
● Increase the life of your vehicle battery
● Keep the indoor temperature optimized
Do you need more answers about garage door insulation?
At this point, you know how to correctly insulate your garage from the ceiling to the floor. We've given you all our best tricks for getting your space ready for winter and keeping all the warm air inside.
Do you need help with garage door repairs or maintenance?
Instead of immediately replacing the garage door, the experts at Atlantic Windoor can visit and make sure all the parts of your garage door are in good shape. Whether you need lift cables, rollers, or springs, we offer all sorts of hardware accessories.
You can also bring out a certified expert to take care of your maintenance. We offer experienced garage door technicians who handle these tasks regularly. They can save you time so you can deal with other vital tasks.
Did you find out the garage is the problem when it comes to insulation? Need to have it replaced? Contact us at 1-888-451-4040!
This can be a lengthy procedure of going through sizes, styles, colors, and other decisions. Our garage door professionals can help you get through all the choices to choose the garage door best for your home.
Get a bit of inspiration from our image gallery, where you can see doors on homes that look like your own. You can also devote time to our Design Centre creating a gorgeous garage door for your space.
We can also give out a free quote by email to get you started. We're forever pleased to know new clients and support you getting the best possible garage door for your home!
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