Supporting an Energy-Efficient Home with Garage Doors

We live in an era where maintaining an energy-efficient home is more important than ever before. Between the energy crisis and the increased emphasis on global sustainability, homeowners need to make conscious choices to reduce unnecessary consumption. It will support the environment, as well as being kinder to your wallet. One area of your home that could make a significant difference to your energy efficiency is the garage – namely, the garage doors. 

This article will highlight how electric and insulated garage doors can support energy-efficient homes, so you know what to install and how to maintain your choices. 

The benefits of choosing insulated garage doors

The most energy-efficient garage doors are the ones with the best insulation. A well-insulated door will keep the cold out and the heat in and vice versa, meaning HVAC systems won’t be overworking. This energy saving isn’t just contained in the garage itself, as these spaces can be significant leak areas for the entirety of the property. 

Look for doors that include materials like PU foam, as these have great thermal resistance. The material expands to fill the cavity, preventing thermal bridges. Other good materials for insulation include fibreglass and to a lesser extent, polystyrene. It’s also important to seek out doors made mostly from steel or aluminium, as they will generally be set up for the best insulating elements. 

R-value vs. U-value:

These figures are two of the most important things to keep an eye out for when looking for insulated door solutions. Each of them describes a similar, yet distinct aspect of heat transfer. 

• R-value. This figure measures the material’s resistance to heat flow, with the higher number meaning better insulation. A good figure for energy savings will generally sit somewhere between 12-20. 
• U-value. This number is based around the rate of heat loss through a material, meaning a lower U-value indicates better insulation and better savings. Look for figures between 1.4 and 2.0 W/m²K, while some high-performance materials can go as low as 1.0 W/m²K.

Make sure to distinguish between U-values on doors as a whole and elements, such as panels, as some doors might advertise an impressive value without it actually applying to the entire door. 

Double-skin vs single-skin doors

If building an energy-efficient home, you should always seek out double-skinned panels rather than single-skinned. Double-skin means the door is made from two layers of metal (either steel or titanium), with insulation sandwiched in between. This reduces heat transfer compared to a single-skinned design. 

How to pick an energy-efficient garage door

An electric garage door can still be energy efficient, but some might be considered more suitable than others. For example, sectional garage doors have panelled designs, with each panel offering a significant seal, allowing for proper airtightness. The vertical opening also helps for a more consistent seal. 

Side-hinged garage doors are also a good choice for insulation, with thick, heavy panels and many models with good U-values. They can also often be manually operated, decreasing the need for energy consumption. 

Consider the smart features on your garage door

An efficient home energy plan can still include electric garage doors, it’s just important to pick smart features that are ‘smart’ about energy.

• Seek out garage door openers that consume little power in standby
• Remote monitoring allows you to close the door from a smartphone, wherever you are, in case you’ve forgotten to close it
• Automatic close times are good if the door is left open for certain periods

Regular maintenance will also make sure that the door doesn’t expend too much energy during opening and closing. 

A garage door can definitely contribute to a more energy-efficient home; however, you need to consciously go after good providers, top-quality manufacturers and premium installation services. Make sure to contact your supplier of choice if you need more guidance, and happy saving!