If you’ve ever stepped into your garage in the middle of summer, you know how unbearable the heat can get. The air feels stagnant, heavy, and significantly hotter than the rest of your home.
Unfortunately, the problem isn’t just discomfort. Excessive heat in your garage can damage stored items, weaken your car’s battery, and drive up your energy bills as heat transfers into your home.
One primary culprit behind the heat buildup is the garage door itself. Standard garage doors offer little to no insulation, meaning the outside temperature can easily take over.
That’s why insulated sectional garage doors are such a valuable upgrade.
If you’re tired of sweating when you step into your garage, an insulated sectional garage door might be the upgrade you need. In this post, we’ll break down all the reasons why.
Table Of Content
What Are Insulated Sectional Garage Doors?How Insulated Sectional Doors Regulate Temperature
How Insulated Sectional Doors Help You Save on Energy
More Reasons to Upgrade to An Insulated Garage Door
How to Choose the Right Insulated Sectional Garage Door
Contact Thompson Garage Doors Today!
What Are Insulated Sectional Garage Doors?
Insulated sectional garage doors are made up of multiple panels that open vertically and slide into a track along the ceiling.
Unlike standard garage doors, which are often just a thin sheet of metal, insulated sectional doors have multiple layers. They usually have a steel or aluminum exterior with a thick insulation core made of polyurethane or polystyrene. These layers help control the temperature inside your garage and improve energy efficiency.
The materials in these doors—like galvanized exterior steel and high-density insulation—help block heat from getting in or out. Plus, they come with better sealing features, like weather stripping and thermal breaks, to keep out drafts and prevent air leaks.
How Insulated Sectional Doors Regulate Temperature
The effectiveness of sectional garage door insulation depends primarily on the type of insulation:
Polyurethane Insulation
Polyurethane is a high-performance insulation type that expands to fill the entire door panel. Since it has a higher R-value, it does a better job of keeping heat in or out.
Polystyrene Insulation
Likewise, polystyrene comes in rigid foam boards placed between the door layers. Although not as efficient as polyurethane, it still considerably improves temperature control and energy efficiency.
Garage door insulation is measured by R-value. A typical non-insulated garage door’s R-value is near zero, whereas insulated sectional garage doors generally range between R-6 and R-18.
Beyond insulation, these doors also have weather seals and snug-fitting joints to block drafts and keep your garage at a stable temperature all year long.
Stay Cool With an Insulated Garage Door
How Insulated Sectional Doors Help You Save on Energy
A big reason homeowners and businesses switch to modern insulated garage doors is to save on energy savings.
High-quality insulation prevents your garage from becoming excessively hot or cold, reducing the strain on your home’s HVAC system. When your heating and cooling systems don’t have to compensate for extreme temperatures, they use less energy and lower your monthly bills.
Even without active heating or cooling in your garage, good insulation keeps temperature extremes in check and makes the space more comfortable and usable year-round.
More Reasons to Upgrade to An Insulated Garage Door
While energy efficiency is a big advantage, insulated garage doors offer plenty of other benefits too.
Quieter Operation
Standard garage doors can rattle or vibrate as they open and close. Insulated sectional doors offer much better sound control. Because these doors have multiple insulated panels, they absorb noise- perfect if your garage is attached to your home or near living spaces.
Built to Last
Single-layer garage doors dent easily and don’t hold up well over time. Insulated sectional doors, however, are tougher. The insulation adds extra strength and protects the door from warping, dents, and damage from bad weather. With them, you’ll typically have a lesser need for garage door repair in Reno.
Better Protection for Stored Items
Sectional insulated garage doors do a better job protecting your belongings because they keep temperatures steady inside your garage. As a result, stored items like paint cans or sports equipment are less likely to warp, melt, or deteriorate.
Insulation also helps protect your car battery and other parts, preventing damage that can occur from overheating or freezing.
Enhance Energy Efficiency With Insulated Doors
How to Choose the Right Insulated Sectional Garage Door
If you’re thinking about upgrading to a sectional garage door in Reno, NV, it’s always advisable to go for one with insulation. Consider the following to make your choice.
Know the R-Value Rating
First things first, check the R-value of the garage door. The R-value tells you how effective the door is at insulating your garage. A higher R-value means better insulation.
If you live in an area with harsh winters, pick a garage door with a higher R-value (at least R-12 or above). In case your climate is milder, an R-value around R-6 to R-9 should do the job.
Choose Your Insulation Type
We’ve already mentioned the two types of insulation available for sectional garage doors. Polyurethane is dense, strong, and provides excellent insulation. If you want maximum insulation and efficiency, this is your best bet.
In contrast, polystyrene provides decent insulation but isn’t as effective as polyurethane. It works if you’re looking for basic insulation on a budget.
Pay Attention to Panel Thickness
The thickness of the door panels directly affects how well your garage stays insulated. For good results, pick a garage door with at least 1.5 inches of insulation. Thicker panels mean more insulation and better temperature control.
Don’t Overlook Weather Seals
Quality weather sealing makes a noticeable difference. Look for doors that include strong seals around the edges and between panels. High-quality seals are more effective at blocking air leaks and drafts.
Pick the Right Material
The best insulated sectional garage doors come in different materials, each with its benefits.
Steel:
Steel is the strongest and most durable option. It provides excellent insulation, especially when paired with polyurethane foam insulation. Steel doors last a long time, are highly resistant to dents and scratches, and need very little maintenance.
Composite:
Composite doors combine several different materials. Their biggest advantage is that they can replicate the look of real wood without the high maintenance that comes with a traditional wooden door.
Aluminum:
Aluminum is another popular choice because it’s lightweight and naturally rust-resistant. However, aluminum typically provides less insulation compared to steel or composite doors.
Because of this, aluminum doors are better suited for areas with milder climates that don’t experience extreme temperature changes.
Go with Smart Design Features
Many sectional insulated garage doors now come with smart technology to improve security and convenience. Look for features like:
- Wi-Fi connectivity for remote access.
- Motion sensors for added safety.
- Insulated windows to bring in natural light without sacrificing energy efficiency.
Upgrade to Insulated Doors for Climate Control
Contact Thompson Garage Doors Today!
Living in Reno, insulated sectional garage doors are non-negotiable. Reno’s desert climate makes effective temperature control a priority for your home and garage. We hope this post helps you choose the perfect insulated garage door for your needs.
Don’t let extreme temperatures take a toll on your garage and energy bills. At Thompson Garage Doors, we offer high-quality insulated doors designed to withstand Reno’s desert climate. Our team is here to help you find the perfect fit for your home or business.
Contact us today!