Garages today are used for storage, shops, and often as additional living space, as well as a way to keep vehicles protected against the elements. Regardless of their particular use, lack of insulation can leave garages freezing in the winter and stifling in the summer.
While garage walls may be insulated in a manner similar to the walls of the home, the garage door is where the majority of heating and cooling are lost. Garage insulation panels offer a solution to the loss of energy through the garage door, and installation is easy.
Garage insulation panel choices are found in two types, polystyrene foam and fiberglass. Polystyrene foam is the most common choice, as these panel are available in a several thicknesses, installation is done by sliding the panels into the door frame rails.
Fasteners are available if the panels do not fit snugly into the rails, and the R-value of the insulation is often higher than standard home insulation. R-value is the measure of the ability to resist heat traveling through the insulation, and so the higher the R-value, the better the insulating properties.
Fiberglass garage door insulation is much like the insulation that is used in attics, and fiberglass panels are perhaps the most effective at stopping air leaks through the door in the garage. While it is often more expensive than foam, it also carries a higher R-value.
Fiberglass panels are designed to slide in to individual panels of garage door, and are secured with hooks to keep them in place. An added benefit of both fiberglass and polystyrene is that they are often coated with vinyl for easy cleaning.
Garage door insulation panels are an energy-efficient way to lower heating and cooling bills, in addition to keeping the garage comfortable regardless of the outside temperature. Garage insulation panel choices include polystyrene foam or fiberglass, both of which are easy to install and possess an R-value equal or better than standard home insulation.
Both types of panels may include a vinyl covering for easy cleaning, and panels as well as panel kits can be found at most home stores, and from a number of online retailers.
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