With utility costs and concerns about the welfare of the
environment on the rise, many homeowners are considering energy efficient
products in their homes. Whether
building a new home or replacing products within an existing residence, moving
to energy efficient products is helpful in saving long term money on
utilities. To that end, as garages are
often a sizable attachment to the residential space of a house, the use of an
energy efficient garage door can help with utility costs and noise
reduction. Determining the usefulness of
an energy efficient garage door for a home can be a useful step when planning a
garage door
replacement.
Prime reasons for purchasing an energy efficient garage door
replacement are directly related to how the garage will be used, as well as its
location in relation to the house. Homes
that share an interior wall with the garage will often benefit from such
measures, as the warm or cool air from the garage can radiate into the
home. In these cases, homeowners will
choose energy efficient products in the hopes of lowering energy costs. Also, if the space will be used for purposes
other than vehicle storage, such as car maintenance or use as a workshop, being
able to keep the area warmer or cooler than the outdoor elements can be
desirable.
In determining how energy efficient a particular door may
be, the important things to consider are how much air a door allows to leak
through as well as what is known as the U-factor. The U-factor is typically used with windows
as a measurement of how well the product insulates. Lower numbers, in this case, are better. Often, garage
doors are marketed with an R-value, which is also a gauge of insulation
capabilities, but this number should be higher rather than lower. Leakiness is also an important factor, as the
warm or cool air coming through the small spaces between the door panels can
affect how climate-controlled the space will be.
Some homeowners, however, will not see the need to further
protect their garage from changes in climate.
If the garage is detached from the home, or is used solely for storage,
it is not as necessary to go with an energy efficient garage door. In these instances, the deciding factors can
be left to the desired appearance and reliability for the home. Regardless of whether a home’s residents decide
on a garage door based upon its energy efficiency or other factors, it is
helpful to be aware of the attributes that make a door the best it can be. Garage
door replacement can add increased value, beauty, and function to a home
and is a worthwhile consideration.