Winter in Kansas City, MO and surrounding areas can offer its fair share of surprises, especially when it comes to heavy snowfall. This is why insulated garage doors are so important, they help protect your home and auto from the harsh winter temperatures, and in turn help keep energy costs low. Thats why, Team Taylor Doors in Kansas City, MO is here to give you tips on how to insulate a garage door during winter. With their superior insulation technology, insulated garage doors provide the ultimate protection for your car, family, and home. Plus, it’s an affordable way to make sure that your home is ready for any weather-related surprise this winter season! Having an insulated garage doors is an investment that pays off year after year.
As winter approaches, now is the time to start thinking about how to insulate your garage door. You want to make sure that your garage is as comfortable as possible during the colder months, and insulating your door is a great way to do that. There are a few different ways that you can insulate your garage door, and we’re going to go over all of them in this blog post. So whether you’re a commercial or residential customer, keep reading to learn how to insulate your garage door in Kansas City, MO during winter!
Why Insulate Your Garage Door During Winter
Taking the time to insulate your garage door is a great way to make your home more energy-efficient during colder months. How you go about this depends on the type of garage door you have; for example, metal or wooden doors can be insulated by affixing insulation sheets or panels directly to the door. You can also use weatherstripping to reduce air flow. While it may seem daunting at first, insulating your garage door isn’t too difficult—especially when you know that taking the time to do so will save money in the long run due to decreased heating costs!
What materials you need in order to insulate your garage door
When it comes to insulating your garage door, there are some materials that you’ll need to make sure the job gets done right!
You will need a vapor barrier which helps guard against air and water penetration, insulation materials like fiberglass or cellulose, backer rod materials such as foam rods or expanding foam varieties, sealants designed for weather-stripping and other materials such as screws and adhesives. Properly insulating your garage door is important for maintaining temperature all year round. Thankfully there are lots of materials out there to make insulating your garage door easier than ever.
GET THE MATERIALS
First, make sure you have the following tools:
- A utility knife
- A saw
- A tape measure
- A straightedge
- A dust mask
- A hammer
- Nails
You’ll also need to buy vinyl weatherstripping for your garage door in addition to the insulation. Make sure you have enough to seal the top and sides. You will also need to get a bottom seal made of vinyl for your track. If you see that your track is broken, you should get a new one.
How To Insulate Your Garage Door Step-by-Step
If you want to increase the insulation of your garage door step-by-step, you need the right materials and some handyman skills. The first step is to measure your garage door’s exterior surface. Once you have the measurements, head to your local hardware store and purchase an insulation kit designed for your measurements. You will also need a staple gun or nails and foam board fasteners. Next step is to place the insulation boards directly onto the door without gaps as any openings will reduce its effectiveness. Secure each board by using a staple gun or nails. Finally, seal up any edges with a piece of weatherstripping for an airtight result. If done correctly, this step-by-step solution can greatly improve energy efficiency in your garage space during all seasons!
Before you can insulate your door, you need to make sure you have the right kind of insulation. This will depend on the R-value you want and the type of door you have. Most insulation comes in the following forms:
- Panels made of polystyrene are usually used to make rigid foam board panels. Most of the time, they are between 1/2 inch and 1 inch thick. They work well without adding a lot of bulk. This choice has R-values that range from R-3.3 to R-6.5.
- Reflective insulation comes in rigid boards or rolls, and either one or both sides are covered with a reflective aluminum layer. This option is great if your garage gets very hot in the summer or if you live in a warm climate because it reflects radiant heat. Most reflective insulation has an R-value between R-3.5 and R-6.
- Batt insulation is flexible and is often used to insulate the outside walls of a building. It is made out of fiberglass and has foil or paper on the back to keep air and moisture out. R-3 to R-4 is a typical range for this type of insulation per inch of thickness. One thing to keep in mind is that if you don’t have a kit, this may not be the best way to insulate your garage door.
ADD THE DOORSTOP WEATHERSTRIPPING
It’s time to seal the door now:
- Attach the weatherstripping to the top jamb of your garage door, starting at the top. Hold the stripping in place temporarily by pounding the nails in only halfway.
- Do the same thing with the side door stops. The stripping on the top and on the sides should meet at a 45-degree angle.
- Try pushing on the door to see how it would hold up in high winds. Then, move the doorstops toward the door so that even when the wind is strong, the door will be sealed.
- Hammer the nails all the way in. If your door has too much play and you can’t adjust the doorstop right, or if light is getting in through the weatherstripping, take off the hinges and replace them with spring-loaded ones that press the garage door against the weatherstripping.
PUT IN A NEW BOTTOM SEAL
The bottom of most garage doors has a track that holds a vinyl seal. This vinyl seal can get hard, crack, or break because of the sun, letting cold air in. The slots on each end are often crimped to keep this seal in place. Open these crimps and take out the old seal, then put in the new one.
PUT YOUR DOOR TO THE TEST
If your door is well-balanced, you should be able to lift it halfway and then let go and it should stay where it is. But since insulation makes the door heavier, the balance might be off. If your door falls when you open it, you should call a pro to adjust the tension of the springs. If you don’t take care of this problem, it could hurt your garage door opener.
The Benefits of Insulating Your Garage Door During Winter
Winter in Kansas City, MO weather can be hard on your home, especially your garage door. But, believe it or not, the effectiveness of insulation can really make a difference in maintaining the temperature of your garage – and even pays for itself over time! You might not realize it, but insulating your garage door in Kansas City, MO during winter can save you a great deal of money in energy costs. Not to mention that it also helps keep debris and other particles out of your garage as well. By keeping cold air outside, you’ll be able to stay comfortable while working on projects in the warmer atmosphere. This will also protect any sensitive items such as paint cans and wood from getting ruined by temperature changes during the cold months. All in all, investing a little effort into insulating your garage door during winter is something worth considering if you want to save money and keep your belongings safe!
Garage door insulation is a great way to keep the winter weather out and your home’s heat in. By taking the time to insulate your garage door in Kansas City, MO, you can save yourself money on your energy bill and stay comfortable all winter long. So what are you waiting for? Grab some supplies and get started today! And if you run into any trouble along the way, remember that we’re always here to help.
If you don’t want to go through the trouble of insulating your current door, you can replace it with a model that already has insulation.
At Team Taylor Doors, we have a wide range of insulated garage doors to choose from. Our doors come in many different colors, styles, and levels of insulation, so we’re sure you’ll be able to find one that fits your personal tastes and insulation needs. We sell industry-leading brands like ProVia, LiftMaster®, and Genie®, and we are a certified Clopay® dealer.
Come to Team Taylor Doors for all your garage door needs if you live in or near Kansas City, Missouri. We don’t just sell high-quality garage doors, we also install, fix, and even paint them to make sure your new door fits in perfectly with the rest of your house.
If you have any questions about our products, you can contact us online or call us at (816) 290-6506 Or (913) 349-6484, and our helpful staff will be happy to help you. You can also come to our showroom and we’ll help you choose a door that fits your needs and budget.
