The Importance of R-Value in Garage Doors

When you’re looking at different Los Angeles garage doors, one specification listed with most doors is the R-value of the door. If you want to purchase a door that will keep your home warm during the cold winter months, understanding what R-value means should assist you in finding the right garage door for your home.

What Does R-Value Refer To?

The R-value is a metric that’s used by a large number of door manufacturers to indicate how well or otherwise the door is insulated. The R-value amount that’s posted on a door refers to the thermal resistance of the item. Doors with higher R-values are able to more effectively prevent heat loss. If you want the garage door you choose to have consistent temperatures with the rest of your home, selecting one that’s comprised of a high R-value will allow you to keep in warm air during the winter and cool air during the summer.

What You Should Know About Garage Door Insulation

The two primary forms of insulation that can be found in a garage door include polystyrene and polyurethane insulation, the latter of which typically offers higher R-values. Given the high-performance metrics of polyurethane, this type of insulation is used for a wide range of applications that include entry doors and car bumpers. Polystyrene is commonly used in packaging materials as well as disposable cups. Depending on the door you choose, the insulation is typically protected by one or two layers of steel or similar materials.

What R-Value Amounts Should I Consider?

If you want to keep your garage door at comfortable temperatures that will provide you with the ability to use the room for any number of additional activities, you should look for an R-value of at least R-10, which applies to both attached and detached garage doors. If the garage itself isn’t insulated, you can select a door with an R-value of around R-6. Likely the best R-value available in garage doors is R-16.