An Insulated Garage Makes Your Garage Comfortable
A well-insulated garage provides ample workspace during Oklahoma’s unforgiving ice storms. Even if you don’t plan on spending much time in your garage during winter, there are still plenty of reasons to consider insulating your garage.
When it’s too cold in your garage, the temperatures can cause damage to your car, exterior pipes, and any other equipment you’re storing there. While your garage is battling freezing temperatures, you could be turning up the heat, and exhausting your energy bills. We have identified a few simple DIY solutions and more advanced options to recruit a garage door professional.
An insulated garage door provides:
- A comfortable garage space despite freezing conditions.
- Protection for your family and property.
- Energy efficiency and reduced utility costs.
- Savings through preventative maintenance and avoiding unwanted repairs.
- Additional security for your home.
Luckily for you, there are also five ways to insulate your garage door, and how it can prepare your home for the winter season. The following strategies are also preventive maintenance steps you can do for your garage that provide non-time-consuming ways to keep your garage comfortable this winter.
1. Fix or Replace Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping creates the seal between your garage door and the opening. Over time, it can deteriorate — allowing frigid air to enter your space, and creating cold drafts. If you’ve noticed air seeping into the garage, we highly recommend removing the existing weather stripping and replacing it.
A pry bar and a flat scraper will make the removal process a little easier. Try to make it as smooth as possible to make way for the new weatherstripping. Aim for correct alignment so that the rubber flap flattens slightly against the door. Once new weatherstripping is installed, there should no longer be any obvious cracks or drafts coming inside your garage.
2. Inspect and/or Tune-Up the Door
There are various products out there to help further insulate your garage. Foam boards, reflective barriers, and fiberglass insulation are just a few options to choose from. You can even purchase a kit from your local home improvement store.
If you’re still struggling with air leaks, you might need to consider replacing the garage door with a more insulated design. Inspect the springs, cables, door panels, hardware, and other moving parts, adjusting as needed. Contact Top Quality Doors for a new insulated garage door installation.
3. Improve the Insulation
If you choose to affix foam or fiberglass insulation, you may run into some difficulty installing it. Before doing so, ensure you’ve chosen the proper thickness for your walls. The most common mistakes homeowners run into when securing an insulated garage door is improper fastening, not supporting it, or cutting it too short or too long. Keep in mind that the insulation needs to fit securely, but without jamming or stuffing it.
4. Prevent Freezing/Sticking
To prevent your garage door from freezing or sticking during winter, we recommend covering the floors with containment mats to help gather snow, slush, or de-thawing salt. This strategy helps prevent the materials from collecting and freezing along the bases of the garage. This also helps guard against any damage to springs, cables, and other parts we mentioned before.
5. Consider a Replacement
The important thing is to have a garage door company you can trust. Sometimes it’s best to replace older doors with more energy-efficient models to help increase your long-term savings. Replacements can also help you avoid more expensive repairs down the road while increasing the security of your home.
Contact Us for Insulation Options!
While there are a few strategies homeowners can choose from to increase insulation, an ideal option is calling on a garage door professional. We listed five reasons why you need Top Quality Doors for an insulated garage space. Our family-owned business can help you identify what’s best for your family while helping you predict any repairs down the road. Your home’s safety, security, and protection are our top priorities when you ask us for insulation solutions. To learn more about our garage door servicing, contact us, and we’ll get your garage door ready for the winter season.
