Open Door
It’s a smart idea to ask questions when you buy a new house. Maybe you kick the tires when you’re about to purchase a new car.
So how about garage doors? Yup. It would seem that even garage doors need a good looking over as well; even more so if you plan to convert your garage into a living space or workshop. If that’s the case, you’ll need a find a garage door that has the proper insulation required, made of exceptional quality.
Inspection
When it’s time to find a new garage door, here are a few things you’ll need to look over carefully. If you’re unsure about something, it’s always a good idea to ask questions!
Insulation – Generally, there are two types of insulation used in garage doors: polyurethane and polystyrene, more commonly known as Styrofoam. Polyurethane will give you a higher thermal insulation factor.
Door thickness – This is pretty straightforward: the thicker the door, the more insulation it can hold.
Weather-Strips – Weather-stripping single-flange or dual flange on the outer frame helps to seal the garage door and is probably the most effective way to cut down on wasted energy. Ideally, the weather-strip should overlap the garage door by at least 1 inch.
Thermal Breaks – Your garage door has the proper insulation, but that won’t do much if there are too many thermal breaks or bridges. Look over the end pieces of the door to see if it’s formed by steel caps or blocks of wood.
Options
Garage doors are kind of like a weak exterior door. The need to be insulated and airtight in order to work as a functioning part of your home’s building enclosure. Do your research and find the most efficient products to work with; this is the best way to avoid cold floor and cold wall problems in order to make your space a welcoming part of the home.
