Summer has a lot of people in Northeast Ohio sweating – their electric bills, that is. Cleveland insulated garage doors can go a long way toward improving energy efficiency, which can help keep utility bills in check year-round.

Because garage door openings are so large, unwanted hot or cold air can easily enter the home. Lacking or poor insulation on an existing garage door can quickly undo the efforts of your heating and cooling systems. Installation of a high-quality, insulated garage door helps maintain a comfortable temperature indoors, without having to crank up the AC or heaters.

If your Cleveland garage door is outdated, worn out, or damaged, you might be missing out on the efficiency improvements afforded with the latest models of residential or commercial garage doors.

Insulated Garage Door vs. Non-Insulated

Insulation in garage doors usually consists of fiberglass, polyurethane or polystyrene foam sandwiched between several layers. This foam provides excellent thermal resistance, reducing heat transfer and helping the garage to maintain a comfortable temperature.

The multilayered construction increases strength and reduces noise, which is desirable for properties on or near busy roads. 

R-Value and U-Factor are two types of measurements to compare energy efficiency. R-value is how the industry rates thermal resistance. It’s an indicator of how well a material insulates against heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation. U-Factor measures how well a window, skylight or door insulates and prevents loss of non-solar heat (the kind you want to keep IN). It usually ranges from 0.20 to 1.20, with lower values correlating with better insulation. Door manufacturers will generally use one or the other to rate these qualities. (For more information on this, check out explainers from some of our manufacturers: Guide to Insulated Garage Doors and What is U-Factor?)

Insulated garage doors tend to have higher R-Values and lower U-Factors, as they’re better at maintaining a consistent indoor temperature.

A non-insulated garage door with a lower R-Value and/or higher U-Factor will be lighter weight and less sturdy, with single layer steel panels that include some bracing behind the door. Some models, for instance, could be easily damaged by a stray soccer ball. They are generally less expensive than insulated doors – but they may also cost you in the long run, both with higher heating and cooling costs and greater likelihood of necessary repairs. 

Choosing the Best Cleveland Garage Door

For those with a newer home with an attached garage, we generally recommend a high-quality, insulated garage door with at least a 6-8 R-Value.

For homes on smaller city lots, detached garages are common. For these, non-insulated door could make sense, particularly if the garage is only being used for vehicle storage. However, we still typically recommend insulated garage doors. They’re a good investment for detached garages, given their greater durability and energy efficiency.

Some commonly-overlooked factors that warrant consideration:

• The direction the garage door is facing.
• Whether the garage is attached to your home/place of business.
• The tree cover around your property.
• How the garage is used. (Some use it as a gathering spot. Others for storage of tools, sporting goods and cars. Use type can influence the urgency of temperature control and energy efficiency.)

We offer a broad range of residential doors to fit any lifestyle and budget. Please note that not all garage doors are the same size. The exact door size will determine available options. Our trusted manufacturing partners ensure that your door will be built to the highest quality standard and parts and service will be available for years to come.  

For our commercial and industrial customers, there is a diverse array of door options depending on your facility.  Contact us to discuss options for your needs.

Advance Door Co. provides commercial automatic door products, services, repairs, and replacements to customers throughout Northeast Ohio, including Cleveland, Parma, and surrounding communities. Contact us via email or call (216) 220-6022.

Additional Resources:

Guide to Insulated Garage Doors, Clopay Door Guide to Insulated Doors

More Blog Entries:

How Long Will My Cleveland Garage Doors Last?, August 15, 2023, Cleveland Commercial Door Company Blog