As the weather gets colder, even an enclosed garage may not be enough to keep out the cold. A cold garage can make regular maintenance or getting in and out of your car a frustrating experience. When the cold is creeping into your garage, the culprit is usually an uninsulated or under-insulated garage door.
Insulating your garage door will help keep your garage warm. We bring you five of the best garage door insulation products on the market. Our approach takes into account price, quality and flexibility of application.
One term you'll see throughout this article is "R-value." This graph shows the product's ability to withstand heat flow. Products with higher R-values generally insulate a space better. While not a universal rule, products with higher R-values tend to have higher prices. With that in mind, check out our list of the best garage door insulation materials of 2024.
Blocks up to 95% of radiant heat, 2 layers of 5/32" thick insulation, covers 8'x8' garage doors, made in the USA.
There is no R-value on the product, but it claims to block up to 95% of radiant heat. It will be the R-16, which is far superior to anything else out there. If it were, the manufacturer would tell everyone its R-value. Of course, it would be better if manufacturers advertised real numbers, but Reach Barrier is still one of the most effective products on our list and a hit with consumers. It comes in an easy to install kit and is a top-notch product that exceeds even most fire safety standards. This may not be the best option if you really need maximum protection, but for most users it is a useful and cost-effective solution.
Those who live in warm or hot climates need a different type of garage door insulation. The SmartGARAGE reflective garage door insulation kit is made of closed cell foam covered with reflective foil material on both sides. The company claims that 95 percent of radiant heat does not enter the garage. Supplied with durable double-sided tape, ideal for use in climates with extreme temperatures. The kit is also easy to install, requiring simple measuring and cutting.
These double bubble insulation panels are more expensive than some other options, but are very effective. Made from reflective aluminum, these pre-cut panels easily attach to many standard garage door panels without requiring cutting or other tools. Panels come with pre-cut tape for easy installation.
The best part is that this panel has an R-value of 8 and is equally useful in other areas of your home that may need insulation, such as external walls and attic spaces. The panels are also available in other sizes including 20.5" x 54" and 24" x 54".
One of the main reasons to install garage door insulation is to save money. You can save even more if you install the insulation yourself. This Matador kit received high praise, with customers noting that it was easy to install yourself. This kit differs from others in that it uses corrugated polystyrene laminate panels. Knurled panels allow installation without tools, glue or tape. The insulation has an R-value of 4.8, and the kit includes eight panels measuring 20.3 x 54.0 inches.
If you're skilled enough and know what you're doing, scrolling is the only way to go. This allows you to create more complex shapes and overlaps. This is useful because this product does not have the same insulating properties as other products on this list. However, the ability to cut into any shape you desire allows you to make your insulation strategy a reality. R value not specified.
We considered widely used products to be our top garage door insulators while evaluating insulation performance, ease of installation, and cost. We also take extensive ratings and end-user feedback from multiple testers, including Forbes Wheels staff, and match them against user expectations and concerns.
Blocks up to 95% of radiant heat, 2 layers of 5/32" thick insulation, covers 8'x8' garage doors, made in the USA.
If you live in an area with very hot or cold temperatures, an uninsulated garage can be a very uncomfortable place to be. Insulating your garage door not only saves valuable energy costs, but also makes the space more usable year-round. Any vehicle parked in a garage also benefits from reduced exposure to harsh temperatures.
If you want to save money, then installing it yourself is a must. Most garage door insulation products (and all products we offer) are designed for DIY installation. Some include complete kits, while others require some manual work including measuring, scissors, tape or glue. Although this DIY project requires a bit of a learning curve, it is still completely doable.
If your walls are insulated, make sure you have suitable windows and frames to keep out the elements. It is also important to make sure there are no gaps around the garage door itself or other doors in the garage. A simple and economical way to insulate is to install seals around doors. Insulating tapes for exterior and garage doors are readily available at many retail outlets.
Yes. The garage door is likely the largest exterior door in your home and has a large surface area through which heat and cold can penetrate. The difference between an insulated door and a non-insulated door is huge. You'll feel more comfortable every time you go to the garage and save money on your energy bills.
Another benefit of any type of door insulation is that your garage will be quieter. Noise reduction can be useful if you prefer a quiet space in your garage or spend time working in the garage and don't want to disturb your neighbors with various late-night projects. Insulated doors are also better suited to extreme weather conditions such as high winds, rain and snow.
