Garage Door Insulation | Essential Techniques and Benefits

We all know how cold the house can get during British winters, especially if you have a garage attached to the property. Draughts can easily make their way through the garage and into your home, significantly lowering the overall temperature – ultimately costing property owners more money on their already rising heating bills. A surefire measure for combatting this dynamic? Proper garage door insulation. 

Garage doors are your carport’s first line of defence against the elements, meaning they need to be equipped to take on everything the good old English weather can throw at them. Even if not attached to the rest of the house, maintaining the temperature in your garage can protect any vehicles, equipment or other sensitive property stored there. 

This piece explores the concept of insulated garage doors, highlighting key features to look out for. 

General signs of good insulation for garage doors

Before you consider the style of garage door you want for your home, look out for several signs and features from your supplier. These will indicate whether they are mindful of properly insulating garage doors. A great example of this is the wide range of features available from a company like B&D garage doors in Brisbane, which focuses on both aesthetics and thermal efficiency.

Precision manufacturing & quality materials

It’s essential to select a manufacturer with a reputation for precise manufacturing. The more care and attention the company puts into their doors, the better you can expect the insulation to be. Similarly, look out for businesses that are recognised for the quality of their materials. 

Sealing

Sealing is an essential aspect of insulating garage doors. This means properly sealing the space between the door and the building, using elements such as double-lip seals, optimised floor connections, and double-bottom seals.

U-values & R-values 

Any garage door dealer worth their salt will share information about their product’s R-values and U-values. 

• R-values define how good the material is at resisting the flow of heat – the higher the value, the better the thermal resistance
• U-values define the degree of thermal transmittance through a material, with lower numbers indicating better insulation

Material Quality:

The quality of the materials used, including the steel and insulation, contributes to the overall insulating performance of the garage door.

By focusing on these Hörmann-specific techniques, you can ensure that your garage door provides optimal thermal insulation.

Sectional garage door insulation

If you’re considering a sectional garage door, complete with a dynamic opening and closing mechanism, there are a few features that you should look out for as non-negotiables. 

• Double-skinned on each section with two layers of steel (inner and outer) will insulate garage doors effectively
• Rigid polyurethane foam insulating cores to minimise heat transfer
• Thermal breaks between the sections of the door prevent temperature transfer through the door’s structure
• Frame connections act as additional thermal breaks between the frame itself and the building’s masonry
• Double lip seals between every door section

If you’re leaning toward something sectional, look for these features. With the right parts in place, garage door heat insulation is more than possible. 

Side-sliding sectional garage doors

It’s also worth noting that all of these features should be considered essentials if you’re choosing a side-sliding sectional garage door rather than a traditional one that retracts into the ceiling. 

Aluminium-framed sectional garage doors

Aluminium-framed sectional garage doors with clear panels might not appear to be the most well-insulated. However, some features/options can be sought out to ensure insulation. 

• Double glazing on the glass panels, whether glass, synthetic or polycarbonate
• Thick aluminium framing, matching or exceeding the thickness of the glazed panels

These are just a few of the best garage door insulation features to look for. The most crucial part is choosing the right supplier. The right supplier will be well-equipped to share insights so you can make the best choice possible.