Garage Door Insulation - Is it worth it?

[SJMaye]

Hello,

I am planning to build a garage. I would love to have insulation. I see the benefits, but just scanning the price of a standard 9x7 door the price goes from $277 for non-insulated to nearly $500 for insulated.

I could insulate the door for a fraction of that. Is it really worth buying a door with the insulation installed? Is there something I am missing?

 

[joey1320]

It's all about the looks. Yes, you can insulate it after but most look like ****. For an extra $200 your door will "finished".

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

IMO insulated doors are structurally stronger. Cheap uninsulated doors aren't designed to carry the extra weight of insulation.

 

[NUTTSGT]

IMO insulated doors are structurally stronger. Cheap uninsulated doors aren't designed to carry the extra weight of insulation.

I'd agree but wouldn't be afraid to insulate a non-insulated if I bought a place and that's what it already had.

I would not waste my money on a door with no insulation.

 

[imjustdave]

are you heating the area?
how would you insulate it?
do you feel you can do better then factory?

my old house had an insulated garage door full metal door it was solid and at least 20 years old... unheated area, never considered needing to replace it.

next home has cheapo non insulated, Functional but you can see time taking it's toll on it, it's 14 years old. 2+ years I have been considering what will replace it.



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[Hubmonkey]

Hello,
I see the benefits, but just scanning the price of a standard 9x7 door the price goes from $277 for non-insulated to nearly $500 for insulated.

Is this quote for a double-sided insulated door (Steel on both sides) or a one sided insulated door (Steel on the outside only)? There are different kinds of insulated doors.

Hub

 

[cabranch47]

I added insulation to my cheapo garage doors and it made a lot of difference in heating the area. The problem is the added weight. Even though I used 1" foil backed 4X8 foam panels, which do not weigh very much, I had issues with balancing. Adjustments are about at their maximum for easy opening/closing.

 

[CN Spots]

If I had to replace my non-insulated doors tomorrow I'd go into debt just to get the insulated option. A couple hundred bucks? No brainer. Buy once, cry once.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'd agree but wouldn't be afraid to insulate a non-insulated if I bought a place and that's what it already had.

I would not waste my money on a door with no insulation.

That's what the previous owner of my place did. I noticed that the door sagged when open. Over time it ended up splitting some of the panels. I spent more than $200 adding ribs to each panel.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Worth it!!

 

[sick467]

What you get for your money is a very nice and clean look to the inside of the insulated door (and the benefits of the insulation, of course). If you can be happy with your version, by all means - save your money and insulate it yourself. I will gladly pay for a professional install when the funds come available to have my 4 remaining garage doors insulated.

 

[ddurrett896]

Do it.

 

[Joe Reed]

Which way does your door opening face? I replaced my original cheapo garage door with an insulated door several years ago. My door faces west with nothing to block the sun. With the old door I essentially had a 8 x 16 radiant heat panel. The new door is barely warm at all to the touch even in the hottest part of the Summer. Plus, the plain, smooth white interior reflects a lot of light. I'll never have an uninsulated door again....

 

[nadogail]

After once have the low budget garage door at my home replaced with an Insulated Metal Faced (on the interior side), from this point on, as the doors on my rentals are replaced I intend to have the Metal Lined and Insulated doors installed rather than the cheap ones.

 

[justanengineer]

Insulation is only half of the struggle with doors, sealing being the other big improvement that comes with insulated doors which can be difficult trying to DIY.


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[LeonardY]

Because the house was new, I insulated my builder's quality garage door. It helped but the stiffeners in the door would get hot. I tried to fill the gaps with expanding foam but the stiffeners and returns would still radiate heat into the garage. The house is west facing. On really hot days 100+, the garage would get easily get to 90+. I tried to fill the gaps with expanding foam but the stiffeners and returns would still radiate heat into the garage.

I finally replaced the door. Now on 100+ days, the garage stays around 80.

It's well worth the money to just buy an insulated door.

 

[mcspeed]

I paid the big bucks for an insulated garage door for my house and it was worth it. Now that material prices have gone thru the roof I changed my tune. I built a new shop and insulated the door myself. Under the foam insulation is a layer of radiant heat barrier ( foil bubble material) I installed first then applied the foam board insulation. After the pic I used 4” wide white vapor barrier tape to seal the middle seam.

It is not as rigid or solid as the OEM insulated door but gets the job done well. Less than $100.

 

[dcg9381]

Are you going to heat and cool that garage? That's the first question.
If not, remember that an insulated door will also help trap the giant heat-sink which is a vehicle that's been run up to temperature - I see it as not necessary if you don't heat and cool the garage.

Is an insulated door worth it? IMHO, yes - due to looks, performance and labor over DIY.. Must do if you're going to heat and cool the garage.

 

[mjeff87]

^^^a great, and overlooked bit of advice there.

I insulated my builder grade door with foil backed foam boards a few years ago. I keep having to remind my wife to leave it open when she pulls in coming home from work. Unless there's a really compelling reason to shut it, like a tornado coming down the street or something.....all that heat from her car needs to dissipate before closing it. I park my car outside in the driveway, and the other half of the garage holds my Jeep that gets driven sparingly. I tend to close the door after dinner or thereabouts, once the sun gets down.

 

[minytrker]

Worth it, have had both and wouldnt never go back to uninsulated door.

 

[Jbullfrog]

Insulated doors will take higher wind loads and have the option of windows. Consider that the price of a new insulated door usually includes heavier springs too.

 

[jar944]

Yes.