Is Your Garage Door Properly Insulated?

April 9th, 2014 Posted in New Garage Doors
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To save money, many builders or homeowners neglect to buy insulated garage doors, either when the home is first built or when a garage door is replaced. While insulated doors can be more expensive, they also can save money on energy costs by reducing the amount of heat or cooled air that’s lost through the garage. In addition, insulated garage doors reduce noise from outside and can help sound proof your garage. Even if your garage door is new, you can still add insulation to the door to gain these benefits. 

Insulating An Existing Garage Door

There are insulation kits which can be added to a garage door. You can choose to buy your own kit and install it yourself, or call your local garage door service company to install one for you. For most two-car garages, you are looking at a couple hundred dollars to install it yourself. However, many homeowners choose to have a professional do it for them, as there often is not a large difference in price to have it professionally installed. 

Need A New Garage Door?

If your garage door is older and will need to be replaced in the next few years, it may be better to just replace the door with a new, insulated door versus spending money on insulation. There are many options in insulated doors, from carriage-style doors to heavy-duty steel doors that are both insulated and wind resistant. 

Talk to your local garage service company about what is the best insulation rating for your area and home. Whether you are adding insulation or buying a new insulated garage door, you want to ensure that you have the right amount of insulation for your home.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

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Garage Door Upgrade

February 28th, 2013 Posted in New Garage Doors
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If you are one of the millions of Americans who use their garage for more than just storing their car, installing a new energy efficient insulated garage door can increase the energy efficiency and comfort level in your garage.  An insulated garage door helps hold in the heat in the winter months and the cool air in summer.  If you use your garage as a work area or for family recreation, an insulated garage door can make a big difference in your family’s comfort level. 

However, before you invest in a new garage door, consider upgrading your existing garage door.  If your old garage door is still in good condition, you may be able to improve its energy efficiency and comfort by installing an insulation kit rather than buying a new garage door.  Do-it-yourself garage door insulation kits are available that can increase a garage door’s insulation value as high as R-8. 

However, these insulation kits only insulate the door panels.  They are not designed to seal air leaks at the joints between panels.  If your garage door has air leaks between the door panels, you are better off with a new energy efficient garage door.  Modern insulated steel garage doors have very high R-values and are designed with tight fitting joints to keep out air leaks from between door panels.

The energy saving characteristics of insulated steel doors are only one reason they are so popular.  Modern steel garage doors are attractive, durable, and easy to maintain.  They come in a wide variety of colors and styles and have high tech, baked-on finish.  A simple hosing or wipe down with a sponge will help them maintain their good looks for years.  They are also much quieter than non-insulated steel doors.  A new garage door is a worthwhile upgrade to almost any home.

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Garage Ventilation for Safety

January 1st, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Installation
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With all the emphasis by garage door makers and even the Environmental Protection Agency on R ratings and insulation, the tendency might be for a homeowner to want to heavily insulate not just the garage door, but the entire garage, especially if the garage is being used for purposes other than storing an automobile, such as a workshop. 

But while insulating can save you a few dollars on your energy bills, over-insulating or insulating your garage without proper ventilation, however, is a disaster waiting to happen. Just read your local newspaper. There are numerous stories every year of explosions caused by storing combustible materials or running generators in the garage without proper ventilation.  In many cases, the damage to property and the injuries could have been avoided had the property owner taken a few simple precautions. 

1. Don’t treat your garage like a room. Garages are meant for storing automobiles. Many people have gotten into trouble by using half their garage for car storage and half for a workshop. 

2. Don’t store combustible materials in your garage and if you ever do work with the chemicals in the garage, do so with the garage door and all doors and windows fully open. Fires have been known to ignite even with garage doors partially open. Also, unless you absolutely need to store hazardous chemicals for use, consider getting rid of them safely through your local authorities. Why keep something around if it’s a danger to your family and property? 

3. Don’t over insulate. Sure, adding an insulated garage door may improve energy efficiency, but does the entire garage need insulation? Consult an expert about this because, depending on your home’s structure and design, you may not need an abundance of insulation in order to benefit from energy savings. 

4. If you do add insulation, make sure that you add ventilation at the same time.  This is most important of all. There are many ways you can add ventilation, including adding vents to the garage door. Talk to a garage door specialist about your options.

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Selecting a New Garage Door

December 2nd, 2010 Posted in New Garage Doors
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Selecting a garage door for your new or existing home is an important consideration.  A garage door can substantially increase the comfort and pleasure you have in your home, and help when it comes time to sell your house later on.

When looking for a new garage door, homeowners should consider the design of their home.  Are you looking to upgrade your existing design?  Perhaps you have always dreamed of a carriage door design instead of a traditional louvered door.  Consider how this door would look in your neighborhood and on your house. 

Always consider purchasing garage doors that are insulated.  While it is true that non-insulated garage doors are less expensive, insulated garage doors provide sound deadening qualities, and noticeably improve your comfort in and outside your home.  Well insulated garage doors also will cut down on your heating and cooling bills, making your home more environmentally friendly.

Consider the components of the garage door.  Is there a warranty that extends to the point when you anticipate no longer being in the house?  Are the springs, rollers, and blades made of a high quality material?  Speaking with a professional contractor can help provide you with suggestions on the best type of materials for your home.

Your goal when you purchase a new garage door is to find a door that will complement your current home style and design, be cost effective and efficient, and provide you with the safety and security that your family deserves.

When it comes time to install a new garage door, always contact a local, licensed and insured garage door professional.

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Garage Door Basics

October 20th, 2010 Posted in New Garage Doors
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A new garage door can be made from a variety of materials, but wood, steel, aluminum, and vinyl are the most common.  Steel doors have become more popular than wood doors in recent years.  Steel doors are often made with a painted, wood grain finish, but they last longer than wood doors. Steel doors do not rot like a wood door can and their factory finish usually lasts longer.  If a wood finish is important, there are steel doors manufactured with a wood veneer.

Most garage doors are sectional doors mounted on rollers.   Unlike doors made out of a single panel, sectional doors do not swing out as they open so a driver does not have to be careful of how close they park to the garage door.

Garage doors are available insulated or uninsulated.  Insulated garage doors can help reduce your heating and cooling costs.

Garage doors use either a torsion spring or extension spring to help lift the weight of the door.   A torsion spring mounts over the head of the door and is attached to the door by a cable which is wrapped around a pulley attached to each end of the torsion spring.  As the door closes, the spring is wound up.  As the door opens, the spring unwinds as it helps lift the door. 

Extension springs are also attached to the door by cables.  Extension springs stretch as the door is closed, then, as the door is opened, the spring retracts and helps lifts the door.

Your local garage door professional can help you choose the right garage door for your home.

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