What Should The R Value Be For My Garage Door?

When looking for a new garage door, there are various factors to consider, such as designs, materials, and R-Value. But what precisely is an R-value, and can this feature in a garage door improve your daily life? We researched it for you to understand the significance of the R-value clearly.

There are several factors to consider when selecting a garage door R-Value, including the setup of your garage, such as whether it is attached, detached, and insulated or not.

Here are our recommendations:

  • For attached and insulated garage doors, we recommend an R-value of 12+. 
  • For detached and insulated garage doors, we recommend an R-value of 10+.
  • A low or no R-value is fine for unheated and uninsulated garage doors.

In general, a higher R-value means better insulation, but there's more to it than that. Keep reading as we dig in a little bit more. 

Insulated garage attached to new single family residence - What Should The R Value Be For My Garage Door

Why Is R-Value So Important?

Knowing the insulation R-values throughout your home tell you whether you have enough insulation based on where you stay. Inadequate insulation can cause comfort issues and increased utility expenses, whereas attaining the necessary insulation levels makes your house more pleasant and energy-efficient.

Now that you know how important R-value insulation is, let us give you more information on how to find the R-value of your garage and what types of insulation have good R-values, and where you can install it.  

How Can You Find Out What The R Value Of Your Garage Door Is?

When homeowners want to know how to calculate R-value, they usually have one of these two things in mind:

  • To calculate the R-value of a garage door, we must first identify all of the insulation materials used, their thickness, and the precise R-value per inch, and then add all individual layers of insulation to get the overall R-value of your garage door.
  • ASHRAE measures the R-value of insulation based on how fast [or slowly] heat passes through the material. That is how you calculate R-values for various materials. 

Types Of Insulation

Four basic types of insulation may be utilized in the construction of a residential structure, each having its own installation method and use. 

1. Rigid Foam Board Insulation 

Basement insulation with foam. Insulation and waterproofing of the underground part of the building. Construction of the underground part of the new building

Rigid foam is commonly used in residential construction, such as basements, ceilings, floors, foundations, and walls. It is primarily used inside, but it may be used outside if the panel materials provide waterproofing and UV protection. 

Polystyrene with an R-value of 3.8 to 5.0, polyurethane with an R-value of 5.5 to 6.5, and polyisocyanurate are among the materials with an R-value of 5.6 to 8.0.

Advantage 

For the same thickness, foam board insulation has roughly double the R-value of any other insulation material. They aid in reducing heat transfer through wood and steel studs. Furthermore, they are stronger, water-resistant, simpler to work with, and vapor-permeable. 

Disadvantage 

Installing foam board insulation on existing walls may be extremely expensive. You'll have to tear down the wall and start over with the insulation. As a result, for pre-built homes, you're better off picking from various insulating materials.

2. Blanket Batt Insulation 

A building contractor is unrolling glass wool batt or blanket, and is cutting a sheet for the roof insulation.

The most common type of insulation is batts or rolls. These blankets can be made of fiberglass, natural fibers, mineral wool, or plastic fibers, with fiberglass batt insulation being the most popular. It is available with or without Kraft paper or foil-Kraft face, which serves as a vapor and air barrier.

The R-value of this insulation ranges from R-3.1 to R-4.3 per inch. This is typically installed between studs in the walls, floor joists, and ceiling rafters.

Advantage 

Fiberglass batt insulation is widely accessible and has a wide range of applications. It is suitable for ceilings, attics, crawl spaces, and unfinished floors. It is also cost-effective, simple to install, and you can Do-It-Yourself. 

Disadvantage 

Batt insulation comes in pre-cut sizes, and readjusting will frequently cause compression, affecting efficiency. 

3. Cellulose Insulation

Master stacks eco-friendly cellulose ecowool material from recycled paper to the floor of the house for preservation and thermal insulation

Cellulose insulation is mainly composed of up to 85% recycled paper, which is first shredded into tiny bits and then fiberized to produce the finished product, which is usually loose-fill. It fits into building cavities firmly, preventing ventilation.

Furthermore, producers add minerals such as borate and, in some instances, ammonium sulfate to the product to make it fire and insect-resistant.

It is excellent for new and existing homes and does not require an extra moisture barrier. This insulation has an R-value ranging from 3.1 to 3.8. It is suitable for use in attics and wall cavities.

Advantage 

Since it is created from recycled waste, cellulose insulation is often ecologically friendly. It's simple to apply and effective in small spaces where other types of insulation might fail, such as around pipes and ducts. 

Disadvantage 

The area must be thoroughly sealed; in some circumstances, soffit venting may be required. If you're applying cellulose loose-fill, installation may need the services of an expert. Mold can grow in this insulation if it is not sealed correctly.

4. Spray Foam Insulation 

Man applies foam

Spray foam insulation is applied as a liquid that expands and hardens to cover the available area and is sprayed, poured, foamed in, or injected. 

It allows you to cover a larger surface area while providing simple access to hard-to-reach areas. It efficiently plugs any holes or gaps in your home and reduces airflow, reducing heat loss.

Like other expanding foam materials, this insulation can discolor garments and irritate skin and is not recommended for DIY use. Wear protective clothing such as coveralls, safety glasses, and a facemask when working with it.

This insulation is available in two varieties: open-cell having an R-value of 3.5 and closed-cell having an R-value ranging from 6.0 to 6.5. Open-cell spray foam enables some air and moisture to pass through, whereas closed-cell insulation provides an air and vapor barrier.

Advantage 

This type of insulation is twice as efficient as batt insulation and can insulate narrow gaps and holes. It lowers noise transmission and eliminates the need for a separate vapor barrier.

Disadvantage 

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is more effective than other forms of insulation, but it is also more costly. Open-cell spray foam insulation is less expensive, but it absorbs more water.

As a result, it should not be utilized below the ground or as in-floor insulation. DIY spray foam insulation is bad, so hiring a professional contractor will increase the installation cost.

How Can You Improve The R-value Of Your Garage Door? 

Insulated garage attached to new single family residence - What Should The R Value Be For My Garage Door

R-values quantify your garage or home's ability to resist heat transfer. The higher your R-value, the better it prevents heat transfer. Here are a few tips for increasing your garage's R-value.

Insulating

Once you insulate your garage, your R-value will increase. Spray foam insulation is one of the most effective methods for increasing your garage's insulation. Unlike any other type of insulation, spray foam covers every inch of your walls.

Improve Your Standards

Make sure your walls and roof are properly insulated. While walls should have an R-value of 19 and roofs should have an R-value of 30 or 40, these standards may be increased to make your garage more convenient. 

Beyond R-Value

By reducing air leaks in your garage, you can increase the energy efficiency of your house and make your R-Value more efficient. These improvements, of course, will help make it easier for your insulation to work effectively. 

What R-value Should You Use In Different Parts Of The Building?

The recommended R-values for each part of your home or garage will vary depending on where you live and how your home was built.

Here are some general guidelines for determining the R-values of key components in your home.

However, before you begin insulating your home, check the recommendations for your specific climate and consult with a professional.

Lofts and Attics

R-value ranging from 30 to 39. When it comes to roof and loft insulation, the top of your structure should have the most insulation, as this is where heat will rise and try to escape.

Ceilings

R-value ranging from R-19 to R-38. Insulating your ceiling is important for maintaining a constant internal temperature in your home.

External Walls

R-value ranging from 13 to 21. External wall insulation varies depending on the age of the building, with solid stone exterior walls unable to hold additional insulation unless it is placed externally.

Basement walls

R-value ranging from 11 to 15. Because basements are frequently cold and damp, insulation can help to mitigate the possible temperature drop. However, heat loss on the lowest floor of a home is less substantial, so less insulation is necessary.

Floors

R-value ranging from 13 to 30. This will help you retain heat and keep your feet warm.

It's A Wrap!

Several factors determine the best type of insulation, but the guidelines and characteristics outlined above should help. Ultimately, the budget, the space that requires insulation, and the required R-value are the most important factors, but eco-friendliness and ease of installation may also play a role.

A good R-value of insulation, regardless of the product, is one of the most effective ways to make a home's interior more comfortable, save energy bills, and create a greener future.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like this as well:

How To Attach Fiberglass Insulation To Concrete Wall

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