You, Me, & Insulation: Part I

Head to Head: Polystyrene versus Polyurethane

Now that winter is on its way, it’s time to talk shop. There are two important questions you need to ask yourself. First, what is the relationship between your garage door and your home? Second, what is your relationship with insulation?

If your garage and your home have a close relationship i.e. they share a wall, you should seriously consider getting an insulated garage door. Insulating your garage door will keep your garage warmer in the winter. It will make your door more rigid and strong. The insulation can also quiet your door during the opening and closing process. There really is no down side.

Now, let’s talk about insulation and you. Garage door insulation is measured in R-Value. The higher the number, the better the insulation factor. The most common insulation materials are polystyrene and polyurethane.

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance broad, polystyrene’s ease of manufacturing makes it the less expensive option. However, the thickness of the polystyrene will directly affect the insulation value in your door. You can usually expect to see an R-value of 10 on a two-inch-thick garage door. If your budget is a limiting factor, polystyrene can be a good choice at its price point.

When it comes to being a lady, polyurethane comes at a higher density and a higher price point, but its worth every penny. Since polyurethane bonds directly to your garage door, it increases the door’s stiffness and makes it much more resistant. Since it fills all the cracks and crevices like Botox, it also works to quiet the metal-on-metal rattling of the door. Comparatively, on a two-inch-thick polyurethane door, you can expect to see an R-value of 18 which is an 80% percent increase.

No matter what kind of relationship you’re looking to have with your garage door, A.B.E. Doors and Windows has got you covered.