Are you considering insulating your garage door? It’s a worthwhile task with a long list of benefits, and you can even do it yourself. This guide will teach you how to insulate a garage door quickly and effectively. It covers the costs of using a professional service, cost-cutting tips and a step-by-step process for those who want to DIY the project.
Why You Should Insulate Your Garage Door
Insulating your garage door has many more advantages than you may think, including the following.
- Save on energy: You can save money on your energy bills by insulating your garage door, especially during the winter. Garage door winter insulation prevents the cold from coming indoors, thus slashing your utility bills. The insulation also traps hot air inside, making it one of the best ways of keeping your garage warm. Retaining the heat your HVAC system produces will make your family more comfortable while using less energy.
- Better for storage: Garages are ideal for storage. They provide convenient access to tools, cleaning supplies and other household items while keeping them out of the way. However, an uninsulated garage will let in more moisture, which can lead to mold damage. Insulating your garage creates a better storage area in your home.
- Make your garage quieter: Adding insulation to your garage door significantly improves its soundproofing. If your garage door faces a busy street or you have noisy neighbors, insulation can make things more comfortable for you. It will also reduce the sounds of your door opening and closing.
- Improve your door’s durability: An insulated garage door is more durable than a non-insulated one. During storms, it can handle impact better thanks to the additional layers provided by the insulation. Insulation is one of the many ways of making your garage door more secure and reliable.
- Protect your car from the cold: Your car is the most valuable thing in your garage, and winter weather can be harsh on vehicles. Among other hazards, your gas and brake fluids risk freezing. You can keep your car at the correct temperature by insulating your garage door.
The Cost of Insulating Your Garage Door
Hiring a professional to insulate your garage door can be a budget-friendly option if you know what to look for. While the average cost to insulate a garage door is around $1,500, the lower end of the pricing scale is $700 and anything above $2,300 is high-end. However, your total price tag for replacing your old garage door with an insulated one will vary depending on your needs and door.
Four factors influence the cost of insulating your garage door:
- The materials used
- Your door’s size
- The cost of labor
- The amount of insulation required
You can buy pre-owned insulated garage doors or choose prefab options that are ready to install without needing further modifications. If you want to keep your current garage door and add insulation, doing it yourself is the most affordable choice. You can use a DIY garage insulation kit or gather specific tools and materials.
Preparing for Garage Door Insulation
Insulating your garage door yourself is a cost-cutting way of getting the job done. Of course, hiring a reliable company can save you time and money in the long run, but you might want to tackle the project on your own if you’re handy around the house and comfortable with do-it-yourself home improvement.
A DIY garage door insulation kit is a time-saving option that contains everything you need to complete the job. It costs around $50 and includes vinyl- or foil-faced batts or rigid foam. The kit also comes with retainer pins designed to make the job easier. The pins are lightweight metal or plastic and adhere to your garage door channels to keep the foam or batts in place.
Using an all-in-one kit is a time-saver, but if you want to do the work without a kit, you will need the following.
- Tools: Hammer, drill, utility knife, ladder, gloves, drywall screws, rags, staple gun and staples
- Materials: Drywall, insulation, batting, household cleaning agent and weatherstripping
How to Insulate Your Garage Door
Once you have everything you need, it’s time to start the process. This step-by-step guide will teach you how to insulate a garage door.
- Measuring: Measure 12 inches from each panel’s edge and halfway between the horizontal rails. Mark the spot and adhere the retainer pin base to the panel. Stick two retainer pins on each panel.
- Cut your batting: Measure your panels’ height and width and add an extra inch to both measurements to cut batting that will fit snugly in place. Measure each panel individually to avoid any mistakes. Mark the cutting lines on your batting with the vinyl side facing down. Place and cut the batting on a piece of plywood. Compress the insulation with a straightedge and use your utility knife to cut through the batting.
- Lock batting in place: Push the retaining pin in the exact center of the insulation until it punctures the vinyl facing. Snap the pin’s retaining cap into place. Wash the door panel with your cleaning agent, then rinse and let it dry. Repeat this process with each panel.
- Test your door: Insulation adds weight to your garage door, slowing it down or affecting its balance. A well-balanced door should stay in place when lifted and let go when partway opened. If the door is off-balance or fails to open, call a professional to adjust your spring tension to the new weight.
Find Budget-Friendly Garage Services With Us
Insulating your garage door by yourself can be costly and time-consuming, but Drake Reed Door Co. can give you affordable, trustworthy and expert garage door services. If you want a reliable garage door company in Central Pennsylvania, look no further. We use our years of experience to deliver top-notch work and friendly service with fair pricing.
To learn what we can do for you and your garage door, contact us online or call (717) 266-2698 to schedule your service today!