Garage door insulation increases energy efficiency but raises cost by 5% to 12%.
Here’s your comprehensive guide to garage door insulation with options and costs, don’t forget to look at our other garage door buying guides and brand comparisons also, to help with your buying decision.
Are Insulated Garage Doors Worth the Cost?
Yes, an insulated garage door is worth it, especially if your garage is attached to your home, you live in a climate with cold winters or hot summers, and your garage walls and ceiling are insulated. Insulation will help keep heat from escaping in the winter and prevent heat from coming in during the summer. In fact, insulating your garage door can keep your garage 10 to 12 degrees warmer in the winter and 10 to 20 degrees cooler in the summer.
A moderate temperature inside an attached garage will reduce the energy needed to heat and cool your home.
An insulated garage door will provide you with a few more months of comfortable use out of your garage and garage door insulation can make your door operate more quietly by reducing rattling and creaking. An insulated garage door also has more strength and a higher resistance to denting.
Insulated Garage Doors
In this post we give you the options on insulated garage doors, whether you are buying a new garage door or insulating your existing garage door.
Should I insulate my existing garage door or replace it? with a new insulated door, or buy a new, non-insulated door and insulate it myself?
A garage door that’s fairly new and in good condition can be insulated, but a damaged or very old door, over 20 years old, is not a good candidate for insulating and should be replaced. You can either purchase a new, insulated door, or a new, non-insulated door and insulate it yourself.
Should I buy a new insulated door, or buy a non-insulated door and insulate it myself?
For energy efficiency, buying an insulated door is the best choice. You’ll get R-2 to R-8 better with an insulated door from the factory. DIY garage door insulation usually isn’t as weather-tight. The R-value isn’t as high. And when you factor in air infiltration for poorly insulated or sealed doors, and it makes sense to buy a door with insulation vs DIY insulation.
Do I Need an Insulated Garage Door?
Insulate your garage door when:
- Yes: You use your garage as a workshop, house pets there or have a refrigerator or freezer in your garage
- Yes: You live in a climate with extreme cold temperatures or heat/sun
- Yes: You have a heater/furnace or AC in your garage – An insulated garage will keep your energy costs as low as possible
You don’t need an insulated garage door when:
- No: You live in a moderate climate without freezes or extreme heat
- No: You don’t heat or air condition your garage and only use it to park cars and store gear
Cost of a New Non-Insulated Garage Door
A new, steel, non-insulated, single car, garage door cost is $300 and $1,200 on average, not including installation. This might be a good option if your existing garage door is old or damaged and if you plan to insulate the door yourself.
*Solid wood doors cost $800 to $2,500 more than the range given here.
Insulated Garage Door Cost & Prices
An insulated, single car, garage door can cost anywhere between $700 and $4,000 depending on the number of layers in the construction, the type and thickness of insulation, the material the door is made from, the style of the door, other factors such as whether it includes windows and what type of glass is used, and any special finishes included, such as wood-grain paint, or decorative features like composite cladding and exterior hardware.
The average cost of a basic, steel, insulated, garage door without windows, will cost about $800 to $1,500 for a single car and $1,100 to $2,200 for a double car garage door installed. We have full details on the cost of a new garage door here.
What is the ROI of an Insulated Garage Door?
If you buy a new garage door, insulated or not, you can expect your return on investment to be around 93% to 94%. This is because the garage door usually faces the road and accounts for up to 25% of what is seen from the road. In climates with extreme heat and cold, an insulated garage door offers better ROI than in temperate climates.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a New Insulated Garage Door
The biggest factors that increase the cost of a garage door are the material the door is constructed of and the number of layers included, such as an exterior and interior layer of steel, the higher the R-Value the door provides reflect the type and amount of insulation used, and other elements like the addition of windows and what type of glass is used.
Wood and fiberglass cost more than steel, of course. A wood-look door with exterior composite cladding, or a carriage house-style door, will increase the cost vs steel garage doors as will adding thermal glass for the windows.
What Kind of Garage Door Insulation is Available?
Polyurethane and polystyrene are the most common materials.
New garage doors are insulated with either polyurethane or polystyrene in various thicknesses. The type and thickness will affect the cost of the garage door.
- Polyurethane is a foam and is typically injected into the interior of the garage door where it expands and completely fills the space. Polyurethane insulation is often available in a thickness of 1 3/8” or 2” and can provide up to a 20 R-Value but will require a 2-layer door. Cost: Polyurethane insulation will increase the cost by at least $1,500.
- Polystyrene insulation is a solid foam that is applied to the interior of the door and usually includes a vinyl backing so a second layer is not necessary. Polystyrene is available in 2” or 1 3/8” thicknesses and provides around a 6 to 10 R-Value. Cost: Polystyrene will add at least $1,000 to the price of an insulated garage door.
Can You Insulate a Garage Door?
Yes, DIY garage door insulation is possible. You can insulate a garage door, either an existing one or a new, non-insulated one.
Garage door insulation kits are available that use a variety of different materials. The cost to purchase a garage door insulation kit and garage door insulation panels ranges between $70 and $500 depending on the size of the door and the type of insulation you use. The higher the R-value, the higher the cost.
Cost to Insulate a Garage Door
Whether you use a garage door insulation kit or purchase the insulation material and tools yourself, the cost will be $70 and $250 for a single car door and $140 to $500 for a double garage door.
Insulation for Garage Doors and Garage Door Insulation Kits
Garage door insulation kits come in several varieties and will provide R-Values of between an R-2 and an R-8. Following are the most common materials used to insulate existing garage doors.
Batt Insulation
The most common and affordable type of batt insulation is fiberglass and is available in strips or rolls. A 1.5 inch thick layer of fiberglass will provide about a 4.5 R-Value. Fiberglass can be messy to work with and will become ineffective when damp.
Rockwool batt insulation is also called mineral or slag insulation and is made from recycled steel and can provide an R-Value of about R-5.
Ceramic batt insulation is a new kind of batt insulation and is made from spun ceramic fibers. It’s used for insulating high-heat appliances like furnaces but is also good for garage doors. A 1” thick layer will provide up to a 6.56 R-Value.
Fiberglass insulation can provide an 8.0 R-Value depending on the thickness and density but it can be messy to work with and becomes ineffective when wet and is about 50% heavier than rigid foam. The average cost of a kit for a single door is $95.
Both Rockwool and Ceramic batting can be hard to find and are more expensive than fiberglass but are not as affected by moisture.
Spray Foam
Spray foam is sprayed directly onto the interior side of the garage door. It’s a good insulator and is long-lasting but it is expensive, and it is difficult to maintain a consistent amount of foam across the door. A spray foam kit for a single door will cost about $150.
Rigid Foam, Foam Boards, or Garage Door Insulation Panels
Common types of rigid foam or foam boards or panels include expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and polyisocyanurate (Poly-Iso) and all three types are very low weight.
A foam garage door insulation kit will include boards that have been cut to fit standard garage door panels and double-sided tape or an adhesive, but you can buy the foam boards and cut them to size yourself with the proper tools.
Expanded polystyrene has an R-Value of 4.0 per inch, extruded polystyrene provides a 5.0 R-value per inch, and polyisocyanurate will supply a 5.7 to 6.0 R-Value per inch but is the most expensive. Rigid foam insulation kits start at about $70 for a single car garage door.
Cellulose
Cellulose is made from organic material like plant fiber, wood, or cotton, and recycled material like paper and cardboard.
Cellulose is treated with a product making it fire-resistant. Cellulose is sprayed onto the garage door and is very good at retaining heat within the garage, but cellulose is heavy and expensive and may not be the best choice for a homeowner on a budget. The cost to insulate the garage door using a cellulose insulating kit will be about $160.
Radiant Barrier
Radiant Barrier insulation is made from highly reflective material like aluminum and is designed to block the radiant heat energy instead of absorbing it like fiberglass does. A Radiant Barrier garage door insulation kit usually features two layers of material with an “air space” between them. Sometimes bubble wrap or foam is used as the air space.
Radiant Barrier garage door insulation kits are the least expensive and average about $65 for a single door.
How to Insulate a Garage Door – Choose the Best Garage Door Insulation Kit
Consider these factors when choosing a garage door DIY insulation kit.
Suitable for the Door
Make sure the kit will work with the type of door you have. Look at the instructions and requirements for attaching the insulation to the door. For instance, some kits require that the door have channels along the support frame to securely install the insulation.
Size
Know the size of your door as well as the size of the panels. Many kits come with panels that can be trimmed to fit the door but finding one that closely matches your door will save you time and waste. If you are buying a spray product, make sure you have enough to completely insulate your door at one time.
R-Value/U-Facts
Make sure the kit can provide the R-Value you are looking for. You can also check the U-Factor that the insulation provides. A U-Factor or U-Value measures thermal efficiency and heat transfer.
The U-Factor is shown in decimals and the lower the number, the better it insulates, for instance, a 0.05 is better than a 0.10.
Weight
When insulating your garage door, you will be adding weight to the door. Adding too much weight will affect the door opener as well as the door itself. Using lightweight types of insulation like fiberglass and rigid foam won’t cause weight issues. Cellulose and spray foam can become quite heavy if multiple layers are applied.
If you are unsure about how much additional weight your door can handle, check with the manufacturer.
Attaching the Insulation
Insulation kits use a variety of methods for attaching the insulation to the garage door such as tape, tucking and clipping, or adhesives. Adhesives may be used to attach pins to the door for securing insulation panels, or adhesives may be used to attach the insulation directly to the door.
Adhesives are easy to use but can be difficult to remove.
TIP: Take Other Insulation Steps
Insulation applied to the interior of the garage door won’t help much if there are drafts around or under the door. There are other things you can do that will also help such as upgrading or adding weather stripping around the sides and top of the door and a new rubber track or a threshold seal at the bottom of the door. If you are purchasing a new garage door and want windows, consider insulated glass, although it’s quite pricey.
FAQs
What type of garage door insulation material will provide the highest R-Value?
You’ll find higher R-Values, up to an 8 or 9, with batting-type insulation such as fiberglass. Sprayed on cellulose can also provide an R-Value of an 8 if applied properly, but cellulose is much more expensive than fiberglass.
You’ll achieve the best results with a garage door insulation kit when you also have well-fitting weather stripping around the sides and top of the door and a good threshold seal under the door.
What is the cheapest way to insulate my garage door?
For a cold climate, fiberglass batting and rigid foam boards are the least expensive material for insulating garage doors and can provide up to a 6.0 R-Value if installed with a tight fit. For a hot climate, radiant barrier insulation kits are the cheapest.
Will insulation make my garage door make it too heavy?
Probably not. The insulation kit should tell you the weight that is being added to the garage door, generally, between 8 and 12 pounds for a single door. Up to 10 pounds of insulation should not make a difference but you will have double the weight for a 2-car door. It’s a good idea to check with the garage door and garage door opener manufacturers before you begin.
Will insulating my garage door make a difference?
Yes, insulation can keep your garage 10 to 12 degrees warmer in the winter and 10 to 20 degrees cooler in the summer. Insulating your garage door will also make it more durable.
Of course, whether your garage walls and ceiling are insulated will have a larger impact on the temperature of your garage throughout the year.
Do I need a kit to insulate my garage door?
No, you don’t need a kit, but a kit contains pre-cut insulation, the necessary fasteners, tape, or adhesives, and some kits also include the tools you’ll need like gloves and a utility knife.
What kind of garage door insulation kit is best for hot climates?
A radiant barrier insulation kit is best for hot climates. A radiant barrier reflects the heat back to the source rather than absorbing the heat. Radiant barriers need an air space on one side to be effective, so radiant barrier garage door insulation kits made for hot climates typically use a layer of foam or bubble wrap.
How long will it take to insulate my garage door?
If you are using a garage door insulation kit and have a little DIY experience, you should be able to accomplish the job in 1 to 3 hours depending on the size of the door.
TIP: Have all supplies and tools, including a utility knife, tape or adhesive, and measuring tape handy before you begin.
