Insulating garage doors (1 Viewer)

[cacarnold3]

So I have been thinking about insulating my garage doors. It isn't because of any "fish related" reason. It is because my master bedroom and bathroom is sandwiched above the garage and below the attic. This make the room extremely hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Eventually, I would love to get new windows on my home and I know they would help significantly with my crazy electric bills but, unless I know I will stay here for the rest of my life, those are on the back burner because they are so expensive. I have been looking at the foam insulation panels for garage doors from Home Depot. I know that some people who bought these panels also put in the radiant barrier behind the panels to help with the temperatures. Here are some things that I would like input on:
- Do you think I should do both the radiant barrier and the foam insulation panels? Just one or the other? If just one, which?
- Do you think it will keep the master noticeably cooler/warmer?
- Do you think this will help with the electric/ heat bills?

Some background information on my home (in case it matters):
Home was built in 1999
2356 sqft
All bedrooms upstairs
Front Faces East, back West
Single pane windows
1 a/c unit, 13 SEER, 5 ton (I think)
Already have installed solar screens on back of home, radiant barrier in the attic, attic door tent, extra insulation blown into attic.

I really want to make my home as comfortable as possible in the months with extreme temps without crazy high electric/gas bills. Prior to my adding the radiant barrier, extra insulation and the attic door tent, my electric bills ran approx $500.00 in the summer. This was also prior to having any fish tanks and prior to electric deregulation. Now, with shopping electric plans and those additions, my bills stay around $350.00 in the summer.

Any suggestions or advice is welcome.

 

[Jason]

I'm curious about the gains on insulating/radiant barrier on the garage door also. I did all the things you did and saw very little improvement. Replacing my HVAC system was the best thing I did. Second best thing was adding a return in my master bedroom.

 

[steveb]

When we replaced our garage door a couple of years ago we upgraded to an insulated unit. While I can't say that it helped our utility bills it did make the garage bearable when the afternoon sun (ours faces west) beats against. It definitely is about 10° to 15° cooler vs. the uninsulated door and conversely on the few very cold days it tends to stay warmer.

On the new house we bought I will be adding insulation or replacing the existing door with an insulated one if that makes a difference... it faces West too.

If I do the insulating I was going to look for the silver faced 4x8 sheets of insulated panel and cut them myself.

 

[Kungfu4u]

I installed radiant barriers from HD. All I had to do is cut them to size, jammed them in between the slots in your door. While it made my garage somewhat bearable, the fact that it's also made out of flammable material kinda kept me up at night. Took them down a while back.

 

[CooP]

I just did mine the weekend before last. Instead of buying the pre cut panels and spending an arm and a leg, just buy the 4x8 sheets and cut to fit. I bought 4 sheets of 1/2" and it did my whole door. I have enough room to do another layer of 1/2" if I want to later. One thing to think about is your garage door opener. I know it doesn't seem like much weight but you can definitely tell a difference. Also look at replacing your springs at the header portion of the garage door. So far I can say it does definitely keep the warmth in on these cold nights. I also used the foam sealant along the inside of the vertical rails that I couldn't get the panels behind. Now I'm going to paint the bottom panels of the garage door with the neverwet white spray so that it's completely waterproof and also will match. Here is a pic.

 

[CooP]

Unless your burner stuff right by your door I wouldn't worry about it. You know your house is frames with wood, also flammable... Almost everything in your garage can be flammable, but like all things just be careful and use common sense.

 

[JSimpson]

I use my garage as a shop, and spend a good bit of time out there, so did the same several years ago. I bought a kit from Owens Corning (I believe) that was sold at Home Depot. The kit came with pre-cut fiberglass insulation panels (the pink stuff that's about 3" thick) with a vinyl outer surface, and stick-on mounts to hold it to the door. Each kit was for a single door, so I bought two for a total cost of around $100 to do a two-car garage. It has held up very well over the years and has made a big difference in temps. My garage faces southeast, and during the summer you could feel the heat radiating through the doors from several feet away. Now you can't tell any noticable difference even 6" away from the door in the summer. The garage temps stay much better both winter and summer now, and in the winter my small propane heater has no problem warming up the garage on cold winter days.

Whether using the panels or a kit like mine, I would absolutely recommend doing it. Made a big difference for me.

 

[Kungfu4u]

Unless your burner stuff right by your door I wouldn't worry about it. You know your house is frames with wood, also flammable... Almost everything in your garage can be flammable, but like all things just be careful and use common sense.

Got a 2nd kitchen in the garage. It helps being my mom loves to cook up ethnic dishes on most weekends.

 

[steveb]

I just did mine the weekend before last. Instead of buying the pre cut panels and spending an arm and a leg, just buy the 4x8 sheets and cut to fit. I bought 4 sheets of 1/2" and it did my whole door. I have enough room to do another layer of 1/2" if I want to later. One thing to think about is your garage door opener. I know it doesn't seem like much weight but you can definitely tell a difference. Also look at replacing your springs at the header portion of the garage door. So far I can say it does definitely keep the warmth in on these cold nights. I also used the foam sealant along the inside of the vertical rails that I couldn't get the panels behind. Now I'm going to paint the bottom panels of the garage door with the neverwet white spray so that it's completely waterproof and also will match. Here is a pic.

Exactly... You used the 4x8 reflective sheet I was talking about... Glad to see it is possible.

 

[BigRick]

If I do the insulating I was going to look for the silver faced 4x8 sheets of insulated panel and cut them myself.

That's what I did about 5 yrs ago. Works good. Even though about making it a company lol.

 

[CooP]

Yep sure did and works great. Just put a few dabs of liquid nail on door panel and held piece in place for a min. I cut them so they would fit nice and tight too. Had to bow the board a little to get them in but not hard at all. Took a couple of hours to do but that was me taking my time, taking breaks, and playing with pup.


wish I would have done years ago...

 

[cacarnold3]

I just did mine the weekend before last. Instead of buying the pre cut panels and spending an arm and a leg, just buy the 4x8 sheets and cut to fit. I bought 4 sheets of 1/2" and it did my whole door. I have enough room to do another layer of 1/2" if I want to later. One thing to think about is your garage door opener. I know it doesn't seem like much weight but you can definitely tell a difference. Also look at replacing your springs at the header portion of the garage door. So far I can say it does definitely keep the warmth in on these cold nights. I also used the foam sealant along the inside of the vertical rails that I couldn't get the panels behind. Now I'm going to paint the bottom panels of the garage door with the neverwet white spray so that it's completely waterproof and also will match. Here is a pic.

Do you think I could use the 3/4 "? It has a higher R value. Also, do you think they would cut them for me at Home Depot? I don't think they would fit in my Kia Soul if they were not cut first. Worst case scenario, I could order them online and have them delivered. This would save about $40 of the cost of the pre-cut kit. I just finally got a garage door opener 2 years ago. They replaced the springs on both doors at that time so the weight shouldn't be an issue.

 

[cacarnold3]

I'm curious about the gains on insulating/radiant barrier on the garage door also. I did all the things you did and saw very little improvement. Replacing my HVAC system was the best thing I did. Second best thing was adding a return in my master bedroom.

I am happy with the improvement that I saw with the other items but really need more. I haven't added a return to the master. Wonder if that would help in my case? I had several A/C guys out after buying the house and they all said that I needed a second unit. The price is up there with new windows so needless to say, that isn't happening anytime soon.

 

[CooP]

Yep 3/4" should work fine. You have the metal doors that have the lips on top and bottom of each panel correct? You only need a razor to cut, very easy material. I should be in Katy this sat, if you need I can get them in my truck. If you really want them to cut I don't see why they wouldn't but they may charge you. You will also need to have measurements. My outer panels were a little wider than the two inner panels. Don't forget some liquid nail too. I think I used 4 tubes for and 18' wide door that had 16 panels.

 

[CooP]

Yea a return should help in theory, but I'm not a certified hvac guy. One thing that did help my elec bill some was the nest thermostat. Being able to set the schedule and adjust from phone anytime of day helped me save a little bit. Plus I signed up for a lower elec rate. Think I'm paying $.11 a kw and starting Friday night at 10 until Monday morning at 4 I only pay the line fees which are only $.04 a kw. If you don't have the super curtains check into those also. I put the eclipse curtains on my bedroom and they pretty much eliminated the sunlight when I don't want it to, great for naps during the day haha.

oh one other thing which I plan on doing soon is putting in a few of the solar attic fans. Want to put one on roof above garage, one in roof above master bdrm, and one above gameroom. Those are my hottest areas. Vaulted ceilings are nice but they suck too haha.

 

[cacarnold3]

Yep 3/4" should work fine. You have the metal doors that have the lips on top and bottom of each panel correct? You only need a razor to cut, very easy material. I should be in Katy this sat, if you need I can get them in my truck. If you really want them to cut I don't see why they wouldn't but they may charge you. You will also need to have measurements. My outer panels were a little wider than the two inner panels. Don't forget some liquid nail too. I think I used 4 tubes for and 18' wide door that had 16 panels.

Excellent. I will get my measurements together, pick up some liquid nails and see if they would be so kind as to cut them for me. I have the two small garage doors but will verify each panels measurements in case they also have smaller inner panels. Thanks for all the tips! I am going to give it a try. For $75.00 or so, it is worth a shot.

 

[CooP]

Awesome, make sure to get the fast drying liquid nail in the caulk gun tubes. I think I may have spent right at around $80 to do mine. The kit would have cost me $160... Saved half my money haha. Oh and make sure to get the panels that are styrofoam looking with one side that has the reflective coating. Place the reflective coating toward the outside of house when putting on, just like they do when they put on a house before siding it. Let me know if ya need anything.

 

[CooP]

I'm in Katy so tomorrow when I get back from the art festival let me know if ya need me to pick anything up or have any issues. If ya need my number let me know but should have a text for copepods from a few months ago haha.

 

[cacarnold3]

I got the insulation and liquid nails the other night. It wasn't easy, but they are in my garage waiting for me. I'll try and install them this weekend. I should be good to go- once I find the time

Thank you for the offer of help. If I have any questions, I'll try and find your number and text you.