Insulated garage doors

[Ice Wolf]

I am going to replace my garage doors that have the after market insulating kits on them. I think the old doors have a R-Value of 6. I am looking at an R- Value of 12.9 or 17.2. On the new doors but know what one to go with. I have a 3 car attached garage with a R- 38 in the attic and R- 13 in the exposed outside walls and a hot dowg unit heater. Don't know if it is worth the extra money to get the R-Value 17.2 when the outside walls are a R-13? Any input would be great.

[Moonshine]

Ice - great question. I am facing the same issue, now you mention it . Same self insulated doors, looking to go to an insulated option. During the winter months I set my garage thermostat to keep it from freezing and it rarely ever runs unless we see an extended time below zero. I think the lower r value would be fine for me since my garage heater does not get used much with the existing doors. This is just my situation and opinion I am providing for an example. I am sure most guys are going to recommend the higher r value door since they do not have to pay for it. My opinion is based on what I need. Good luck!

[Macgyver55]

I've got the 12.9 doors on my garage that I heat and cool all year and they are plenty good. What is more important for heat (or cooling)loss is the sealing around them. Doesnt matter much what the R value is if the air flows in aound the edges. With the constant moving its important to maintain the hinges, rollers, tracks and seals to insure that the edges remain sealed well when closed. I lubricate and adjust them (if necessary) a couple times a year. I usually close them, turn off the lights and check for light around the seals to see where there is any sign of light and adjust as needed. A good flexible bottom seal is also important.

[Tom7227]

I agree with both responses. I had a lot of leaks around the door edges. I bought a kit of the bottom seal material and stapled it to the vertical edges of both doors. There was an opening at the top and I took some carpet pad and stapled it so that was closed off when the door was closed. Given that you most likely won't heat the garage to living temp all the time I don't see that payback on the more insulated door as being that great.

[crothmeier]

A 2" Steel Backed Insulated door should be more than adequate. I sell a fair amount of the ones made by North Central Door out of Bemidji. They have a nice HSOforum to check out too.