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Do I Need an Insulated Garage Door in California?

You live in an area that offers near-perfect weather conditions. Most of the country can only dream of the temperatures experienced in the Bakersfield, CA region. Above-freezing temperatures in the winter and 70’s in the fall and spring make you wonder why anyone would consider garage door insulation. Are insulated garage doors worth it?

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A Look at the Weather

Let’s first consider the season we haven’t mentioned. Summers in California bring temperatures of up to 100 degrees. Then, let’s go back to those winter temperatures. While they may stay above freezing most of the time, 40 degrees is still fairly cool. It’s important to keep these extremes for July and January in mind, realizing that the average temperature of 65 degrees does not occur every day. There are many times of year when insulation is necessary to maintain comfortable surroundings despite cold or hot air outside.

In either of these situations, you definitely want to keep the outdoor weather where it belongs — outside. You don’t want it creeping through your garage and into your house.

The ideal solution is an insulated garage door. Why? It offers several advantages.

Benefits of Insulated Garage Doors

If you’re asking yourself “Do I need an insulated garage door?” consider the following advantages you could enjoy:

Energy Efficiency

Your garage connects to other parts of your house. It may have rooms above it and living areas adjacent to it. However, garages have different construction standards than other parts of the home. They have less insulation. This means the garage is a great source of energy loss. Your air conditioning and heating can easily escape through the garage. Additionally, the garage allows outdoor air to enter your home.

An insulated garage door acts as a buffer to prevent this airflow. Since your garage is one of the least energy-efficient parts of your home, an insulated garage door helps regulate the temperature inside your garage — as well as inside your living space.

As a result, you save energy. You’re no longer wasting heating or cooling that is simply overpowered by a poorly insulated garage. It makes your home’s HVAC more efficient and your overall energy use more green.

An added benefit of this energy efficiency is lower heating and cooling bills and less strain on your HVAC system. When it is operating more efficiently, an HVAC system is less likely to need repairs and is more likely to have a longer lifespan. The final result is significant overall savings on your utilities.

Durability

Did you know insulated garage doors have a different construction than uninsulated doors? Insulated models have a strengthening layer of polystyrene or polyurethane that helps them better withstand wear and tear. This extra material prevents the normal sagging, bending and ripping that often occurs over time with uninsulated doors, and it extends the life of the garage door.

Consider what a garage door typically endures. Storms and outdoor debris can cause extensive damage to garage doors. Even though Bakersfield, CA sees few rainstorms, wind and sunlight can still cause wear and tear. Additionally, forward and backward bumps from cars and kids playing ball against the door all take their toll. However, the added insulation makes the door more durable to withstand these conditions and situations.

Protection

An insulated garage door offers protection for you, your home and your belongings in several ways. First, it offers insulation against temperature. This helps protect any items you have stored in your garage. Do you keep any chemicals, cleaners or other liquids in the garage? Extreme heat or cold can cause dangerous situations for some of these products. By insulating your garage door, you prevent these extremes and make your garage a safer place to store these items.

The regulated climate can also protect your vehicle. When a car is exposed to extreme temperatures, a host of systems can be affected. Cold weather is harsh on belts, liquids, brakes electrical systems and tires. Hot temperatures make the interior uncomfortable to enter, and it can also be harsh on accessories such as window tinting and electronics. By keeping the temperature in your garage more comfortable, you save your car from some of this wear and tear and make it more welcoming to drive in the middle of a hot afternoon.

An insulated garage door can also add a level of security to your home. Older, uninsulated doors may be easier to break into. A durable, insulated door can help protect your home against potential thieves by offering a stronger barrier.

Noise Reduction

How loud is your garage door? All garage doors make some noise, but lightweight doors without insulation are often the noisiest. This sound can be particularly disruptive if the garage is located under a bedroom. Waking a sleeping spouse, child or infant by opening and closing the garage door is a situation most people want to avoid. Insulated garage doors are quieter. Their extra weight helps keep the panels from rattling against the frame, and the insulation offers a sound-muffling advantage to keep your entries and exits more peaceful.

This sound buffer is also helpful to keep sounds inside the garage. If your garage acts as a game-watching man cave, tool shop, ping pong arena or other noisy space, an insulated garage door can allow you to enjoy these activities without disturbing others.

The reverse works, too. If you spend a lot of time in your garage, your insulated garage door can help muffle any sounds from the exterior. If you want peace and quiet for hobby time, working out or other garage activities, your insulation helps provide a quiet environment.

Temperature Control

Does your garage face east or west? If so, it probably heats up quite a bit in the mornings or evenings. This can make it difficult to keep warm air out and cold air in.

An insulated garage door helps keep this temperature more constant. Rather than becoming a sweatbox in the summer and an icebox in the winter, your garage temperature is better regulated.

Alternate Purpose and Year-Round Usability

Because your insulated garage door helps regulate the temperature, you can more easily use this space for something other than car storage. If you want to set up a living space or complete projects in it, you can do so more comfortably. Plus, the more pleasant and consistent temperatures mean year-round usability.

If you will be spending a lot of time in the space, an insulated garage door can also provide a more aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. These doors offer attractive finishes that will complement your living space. With an insulated garage door in place, you can transform the area into a comfortable workshop, bonus room, bedroom, craft room or other hobby space to enjoy.

ROI and Better Resale Value

Did you know garage door replacement offers one of the highest returns on investment among all home remodeling projects? According to 2023 data, homeowners recoup, on average, 102.7% of the cost of a new garage door at resale. That means you get to reap all the benefits of an insulated garage door, and it could end up costing you nothing!

For ROI comparison, consider two other common remodels, kitchens and baths. A midrange major kitchen remodel offers an average return of 41.8%, and a midrange bathroom remodel recoups 66.7%. 

Does an insulated garage door make a difference to potential buyers? The answer is “yes.” You may fetch higher prices and make your home more attractive through:

  • Higher visual appeal.
  • Increased safety features in newer-model designs.
  • Quieter operation.
  • Flexible-use space.
  • Higher energy savings.
  • Increased prevention against pests and pollution.
  • Longer life spans.
  • More asset protection.

With such a great payoff, replacing your old, uninsulated door with a new, insulated door is a clear win.

Pest Prevention

A mouse only needs a space the size of a dime to enter your home. An insulated garage door can help keep rodents out of your house.

It will be harder for pests to slip in through the garage door and set up their nest in your space. This can save you time and money on traps, poisons and calls to the exterminator. It also offers peace of mind, as you are surrounded by a more pleasant environment.

Can’t I Just Insulate My Current Garage Door?

To insulate your garage door, it is possible to add insulation to your current door. However, this is not a recommended solution. To do this, you must add insulation material to a door not designed to hold it. Additionally, insulation options such as insulation foam are typically created with flat spaces in mind. If applied to a garage door, the insulation material is subject to constant folding and bending. Over time, the insulation can flake or unravel. You’ll probably have to re-apply the insulation regularly. This could become costlier than purchasing a new door already equipped with insulation. It could also prove to be time-consuming.

Adding insulation to a door also adds weight. This can cause a weakening of the springs and cause the door to dip or break. The extra weight can lead to balance issues, resulting in the need for professional garage door repair services.

That means the better solution is to simply purchase an insulated garage door. Properly equipped with insulation, this design holds up better over time and offers fewer maintenance issues.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Insulated Garage Door

There are numerous questions to consider when shopping for an insulated garage door in the Bakersfield area.

What Type of Insulated Garage Door Is Best?

If you’ve considered the question, “Do I need an insulated garage door?” and have determined this is a good solution for your home, the next decision you need to make is which type of insulated garage door to choose. Your two main options are steel doors and wooden doors.

A steel door offers several advantages:

  • Low maintenance: Steel doors require little maintenance, making them a popular choice among homeowners seeking simple solutions. They withstand weather and use well.
  • Energy efficiency: Steel garage doors offer high-quality insulation values that increase your energy efficiency.
  • Economy: Steel insulated garage doors are typically more affordable than wooden doors. If you are seeking a more economical solution, steel is probably the best option.
  • Design: Steel doors are available in many design options to suit many tastes and settings. With so many options, you’re likely to find something fitting for your home.

Wooden doors also offer distinct advantages:

  • Custom design: Wooden doors are often used to add a custom look to the home’s exterior. Wooden garage doors can be fit to match unique architectural designs. Their customization makes them a popular choice for homeowners who seek a personalized touch for their garage.
  • Curb appealAs a high-end option, wooden doors are often viewed as an attractive feature that can increase curb appeal and thus the value of the home.
  • Sound-proofing: While any insulated garage door will reduce noise, wood offers better sound-deadening qualities than steel.

Since either material offers similar benefits of insulated garage doors, the ultimate decision typically boils down to your personal taste and budget for your door.

What About R-Values?

As you consider various insulated garage door options, it’s important to understand the terminology used to rate these doors. A garage door’s R-value indicates how well it will insulate your garage. It measures the door’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the resistance.

R-values will differ between manufacturers and door models, and they depend on the amount and insulation type used.

When researching whether garage door R-values are worth it, you may come across another term — the U-factor. This factor measures a material’s heat loss potential. In contrast to R-values, the lower the U-factor, the better insulation the material offers. The measurement is less common than the R-value since not all garage door manufacturers use or report it. 

Consider how you plan to use your garage as you decide what level rating you should seek for your door. If you will be using this area as living space, look for better ratings. If you don’t spend a lot of time in your garage, you may be happy with a lower rating. Keep in mind, though, that higher R-values help with energy efficiency in your garage and the attached home. The experienced professionals at King Door Company can use their extensive knowledge to help with this decision.

Which Type of Insulation Is Best?

Garage doors typically use one of two types of insulation — polystyrene or polyurethane. 

Polystyrene insulation is styrofoam. Manufacturers layer this material in different thicknesses to produce higher R-values.

Polyurethane is more similar to a liquid, and it expands to fill the gaps between the door’s layers. The substance bonds with the door’s frame during expansion, giving it additional strength and protection against dents or impact damage. Polyurethane generally produces higher R-values than polystyrene.

How Often Is the Door Open?

Another factor to think about is how often you open your garage door and for how long. Frequent cycling or leaving the door raised for an extended time will impact the insulation’s benefits — an open door’s R-value is zero.

What About Style?

A new residential garage door lets you express your home’s personality in a unique way. There are almost limitless ways to customize the door for maximum style and curb appeal. For example, you can choose various color finishes, materials and hardware to harmonize with your home.

Some homeowners enjoy decorative style options like windows, yet these can affect the door’s R-value. Those who prefer this charming and distinctive look may want to consider customizing their new door with insulated windows.

How Much Does an Insulated Garage Door Cost?

The cost of an insulated garage door is influenced by the options you select. The final price will vary based on:

  • Size and number of doors
  • Material
  • Design
  • Opening style
  • Installation costs
  • Insulation type and thickness
  • Custom and decorative options
  • Additional upgrades, such as equipping your door with a new garage door opener

You can request a personalized estimate from King Door Company, Inc. for your new design to help you budget more effectively.

How Do I Choose the Best Brand?

Buying a new insulated garage door for your home is a substantial investment in your property. Since manufacturers and their offerings differ, choosing a trustworthy brand focused on quality, durability, style and safety is crucial. Ask the following questions to help you identify the best brand:

  • What is the manufacturer’s reputation for quality?
  • Does the door carry a warranty? What does it cover, and how long does it last?
  • What materials and insulation types are available?
  • How much customization is possible?
  • Are there advanced features, such as smart home compatibility?

Once you pinpoint the ideal brand, you can find the right expert to order and install your new doors.

Why Work With King Door Company, Inc.?

Your final step in choosing an insulated garage door is to locate a reliable company to supply your new door. It’s essential to choose a business that is worthy of your trust, will deliver what you need and will provide excellence in service and products.

King Door offers a long track record of success, with an extensive list of satisfied customers. We attribute our winning service to our distinct service advantages:

  • Extensive experience: King Door has been an industry leader since 1985. The original owner, Roman Ruiz, still runs the company today.
  • Professional excellence: Our highly trained technicians offer in-depth knowledge of insulated garage doors. Our employees arrive in clearly marked company vehicles to serve our clients with professionalism.
  • Superior service: The King Door team is always available to answer questions. We make customer care our top priority.
  • Accessible showroom: We offer a 4,000-square-foot showroom and parts store so our customers can view their options first-hand.
  • Virtual design: Our customers can use the unique Door Imagination System to virtually try out new insulated garage doors on their home.
  • Manufacturer warranties: Our quality products are all backed by trusted manufacturer warranties.
  • Modern innovations: King Door offers the latest designs and technology. We continuously strive to improve our products to deliver energy-efficient, green ideas.

Contact an Insulated Garage Door Specialist

Contact an Insulated Garage Door Specialist

To start reaping the benefits of an insulated garage door, talk to an expert at King Door. Our insulated garage door expertise is unparalleled in the industry. Reach one of our experienced staff today at 661-397-2744 or through our quick contact form.

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