Is R12 good for a garage door?

Author: Eveline Goyette  |  Last update: Monday, April 14, 2025

If the insulation and the look of your garage door take a back seat because the price of a quality door is your top concern, we suggest going with an R12 door. Otherwise, if insulation and appearance are very important, an R16 or a fully glazed door could be a better fit to pick the right garage door.

What R-value is good for garage doors?

For an attached garage – since these spaces are typically well insulated you'll want to make sure you've got at least an R‑value of R‑12, as well as ensure that the door itself has good resistance to cold temperatures.

What is the difference between R12 and R16 garage doors?

Manufacture and insulation

The thermal resistance of the insulation is usually between R12 and R16, depending on the thickness of your door. Higher the thermal resistance rating, more insulated the door will be. In addition, you will see only a small difference between your heating between an R12 and R16.

What is the best insulation for a garage door?

  • Best Overall. Reach Barrier 3009 Garage Door Insulation Kit. ...
  • Best Bang for the Buck. US Energy Products Double Bubble Reflective Foil. ...
  • Upgrade Pick. US Energy Products Nasatek 2-Car Foam Insulation Kit. ...
  • Best Reflective. US Energy Products Nasatek 1-Car Reflective Insulation Kit. ...
  • Best Easy Install. Matador Garage Door Insulation.

Do garage door insulation kits really work?

In short, yes, insulating a garage door will help your home maintain temperatures in hot and cold seasons and retain energy efficiency.

Watch THIS Before You BUY Your Next Insulated Garage Door

Will insulating a garage door keep cold out?

A properly insulated garage door will regulate the temperature inside your garage. Just like insulating your home, an insulated garage door will help keep extreme heat and cold outside where it belongs. If you live in an area with extreme weather, your garage door should be strongly insulated.

How thick should insulation be for a garage door?

If you want to take it up a level: Go with a 1-3/8″ thick polyurethane insulated door with an R-Value in the 12-12.9 range. This will roughly match the R-Value of your external walls and provide an even tougher door without going overboard on price.

How much of a difference does garage door insulation make?

Yes, insulating a garage door can make a significant difference by acting as a barrier between the outside and inside temperatures. Insulating your garage door can keep your garage 10-14 degrees warmer in the winter, and 22-26 degrees cooler in the summer.

What is the cheapest insulation for a garage?

In most cases, fiberglass batts/rolls are still the simplest and all-around cheapest option for detached garage insulation.

Is foam or fiberglass insulation better for a garage door?

Rigid foam stands up to moisture better than fiberglass. Garages: Rigid foam is best for insuring garage doors and floors, but you can use either type of insulation for garage walls. Radiant heat floors: Rigid foam is used as a thermal barrier underneath radiant floor heating systems.

Is R12 good for garage door?

If the insulation and the look of your garage door take a back seat because the price of a quality door is your top concern, we suggest going with an R12 door. Otherwise, if insulation and appearance are very important, an R16 or a fully glazed door could be a better fit to pick the right garage door.

What is the difference between R12 and R12i?

There is a fundamental difference between R12 and R12i hardware: the Trimble R12i is equipped with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a collection of highly accurate sensors which cannot be installed in a Trimble R12 once it has left the factory.

Is a higher R-value worth it?

R-Value is a measure of insulation's ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

Is it worth the extra money for an insulated garage door?

Cost: While insulated garage doors typically have a higher upfront cost than uninsulated doors, the long-term savings in energy costs and potential repair fees can make it a worthy investment.

What are the best garage doors?

BEST Garage Door Brands for Your Installation
  • Clopay Garage Doors. Enhance your curb appeal with Clopay garage doors! ...
  • Amarr Garage Doors. ...
  • Wayne Dalton Garage Doors. ...
  • CHI Garage Doors. ...
  • Martin Garage Doors. ...
  • Northwest Garage Doors.

What is the best R-value for garage insulation?

Generally, insulation with an R-value between R-13 and R-21 is recommended. Adding insulation to exterior walls (including garage walls attached to living spaces) can help increase R-value and create a more powerful thermal boundary for your home. If you're insulating your garage ceiling, you'll need a higher R-value.

How much to insulate a 20x20 garage?

The insulation cost for a 20x20' car spray foam garage ceiling is $700 to $4,000. Naturally, insulating garage ceilings requires more insulation, and labor costs tend to be higher due to the complexity of the installation.

What is good insulation cheap?

Fibreglass insulation is considered the cheapest and most effective UK insulation option. It's made of glass fibres and is available in batts, rolls, or loose-fill form. Fibreglass insulation is widely used in residential and commercial buildings due to its affordability and effectiveness in reducing heat transfer.

Is the R-value of a garage door worth it?

A higher R-value means a slower transmission of heat, which means less cold air leaking into your garage in the winter and less heat invading your garage in the summer. When it comes to R-values for garage doors, the higher the better! R-value is the most widely used measurement for a garage door's energy efficiency.

Will insulating garage door keep it cooler?

Insulating your garage door can also help keep the hot air outside and the cool air inside. How does ventilation help keep a garage cool in the summer? Ventilation helps keep a garage cool in the summer by allowing hot air to escape and cool air to circulate.

What makes a garage door more expensive?

Material Quality and Durability

Each material has its own set of characteristics, benefits, and price points. For instance fiberglass doors tend to be more expensive due to their durability and strength, while wooden doors may command a higher price for their natural beauty, craftsmanship and customizability.

Should I get a R12 or R16 garage door?

Finally, the larger the number, the better the thermal insulation of the door. For instance, R‑16 is better than R‑12.

Should garage door insulation be shiny side in or out?

If you chose an insulation with a reflective radiant barrier, the reflective side should also face outward.

What type of garage door insulation is best?

Rigid foam insulation is a great choice thanks to its high R-value and insulation flexibility. You can cut rigid foam panels to fit the dimensions of any garage, and the foam is compatible with practically all wall materials.

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