If it seems like your energy bills have been creeping up month by month, it might be time to insulate your garage door. Depending on the type of home and garage door you have, you could be leaking energy (in the form of cooled or heated air) straight out into the outdoors.
As Californians, we are all familiar with the push to install more efficient appliances, doors and windows—and you can even get garage door with added insulation in Northern California. When you think about it, it makes sense: the more you’re able to control the indoor temperature throughout your home, the better. Insulation is the key to preventing heat transfer from indoors to outdoors, making you cool and comfortable during the summer and warm and cozy in the winter.
Here’s a closer look at why you should consider an insulated garage door:
- They are more energy efficient: Naturally, we all know it’s important to not only save the planet, but also to save money on our energy bills. If you’ve found that the increasingly hot summers and colder winters are taking their toll on your wallet, the key just might be getting an insulated garage door. Garages are notorious for leaking warm or cool air to the outdoors, so it’s a smart, fast and easy way to double up on insulation and make sure you have pockets of warm air to protect your home. The same principle applies in the summer—don’t let the punishing sun drive your AC bill up if you can avoid it.
- They are more durable: When you choose an insulated garage door, you’re also getting one that lasts a lot longer than your average door. Rather than single-layer doors, you’re getting something with a double or triple layer. That results in a much longer lifespan.
- They’ll protect your storage: Most people store their unused, but precious, items in their garage. Are you really going to stuff Grandma’s photos from the 1930s in a poorly-insulated garage? (You shouldn’t if you want to keep them safe.) Moisture and temperature changes damage objects, especially things like paper and photos. Having effective garage insulation in Northern California wards off a lot of that moisture damage so you can rest assured your family’s legacy is happily preserved.
- They’re quieter: Finally, who doesn’t love the sound of silence—at least once in a while? Noise can penetrate our homes, but it’s usually through thin windows and doors. If you have an insulated garage door, your entire home will be quieter, more peaceful and free of the neighborhood’s opinion on the latest sports team’s score—unless you’re one of those people yelling at the TV, too.
Are you interested in insulating your home’s garage door? Ace Insulation Inc. has been insulating Northern California homes since 2011. Call us today to learn more about our services, or find out more about what it could take to insulate your garage doors. We look forward to helping you save on your energy bills.
It might be surprising to some people, but not all garages are insulated properly, if at all. Maybe the builder thought it was the best way to reduce overhead costs, or a homeowner didn’t think that insulation in the garage was necessary. What’s more is that you may not know your garage isn’t insulated; consider getting a home insulation inspection performed to find out, as well as to see whether any areas of your home can benefit from new insulation.
Let’s take a look at a few good reasons to install quality garage insulation in Petaluma, CA.
To create additional living space
If you want to get the most out of your home, then you’ll want to utilize as much space as possible for storage or enjoyment. The garage is the perfect area to turn into additional living space, but only if you don’t own a vehicle that needs protection from an enclosure. When using the garage as a workout room, game room or simply to store unused household items, the walls should be insulated to add temperature control and maintain a comfortable environment throughout the seasons.
To block out noise
Whether you use your garage for parking, as a workshop or additional living space, you’d likely prefer any type of noise to stay in the garage. A layer of noise-dampening insulation materials can help. Likewise, insulating all your exterior home walls—including the garage walls—can help to block out noise caused by outside traffic, nearby construction work, neighbors and the elements. Keep in mind that insulation does not provide total soundproofing, but it does help.
To seal up shared walls
A detached garage does not share walls with another structure, but a traditional attached garage does. It’s attached to your house by at least one door and likely no less than two walls. Without high quality, properly installed wall insulation, not only will noise find it’s way inside, but so will outside air.
Ultimately, air leaks will cause the hot or cold air from your HVAC—the air you want staying inside—to escape, or your HVAC system will get overworked trying to keep up with constant temperature changes. As a result, you may start to see a rise in your energy bills. Proper insulation can improve indoor air quality, because it will seal out car exhaust fumes, allergens and other respiratory health hazards.
To keep vehicles and belongings safe
Most items in storage will fare better when the temperature does not fluctuate drastically. And you won’t have to wait forever for your car to warm up on cold mornings or cool down on hot days. Insulation in the walls means your vehicle and stored belongings are pretty well protected from the elements and extreme temperatures.
Now that you know how much of an impact good quality garage insulation in Petaluma, CA can have on your home comfort, are you ready to talk to a professional insulation installer? Your next step should be to call the experts at Ace Insulation Inc. to learn everything there is to know about garage insulation. Contact us today!
An insulated garage means less noise, better temperature control and the decreased likelihood of toxic fumes entering your home. When you decide to make your garage into a better space through insulation, it is common for your contractor to offer many options. This can seem confusing at first, but making a decision is often balanced between needs and budget. Here is an overview of three types of insulation often installed in garages to help you decide which will work best for you.
Batt insulation
The combination of fiberglass and cotton makes batt insulation in Petaluma, CA a cost‑effective option. It is often a popular choice for garages because some households do not use them much except for storage, and that is seen as a good reason to only use low‑cost options. Another advantage is its easy installation—contractors only need to wedge it between the studs.
However, depending on how your garage is put together, there may be additional steps. If your garage is very bare-bones with no drywall, your contractor may have to do a complete remodel first. For those who do a lot of woodwork or any other craft projects that require stains and other odorous chemicals, you may also need a vapor barrier so those fumes do not enter your home.
Blown-in insulation
If you do not have drywall but want to pass on a remodel, blown-in insulation is a good choice. All a contractor needs to do is put a hole in the wall and blow in a cellulose insulating material. Afterwards, the hole gets patched and you get to enjoy all the benefits of an insulated garage. This installation is not only quick, but it is also desirable due to the fact that garages are often cluttered spaces.
Unlike other forms of insulation, you will not have to move cars, washers and dryers, power tools or storage before the contractor arrives. You will pay more, but you’ll also invest less time in preparatory labor. That is frequently worth it for many customers.
Foam board
Another option for those uninterested in drywall but lacking the budget for blown-in is foam board. It is a rigid board that does not require any other type of support—it is simply secured to the garage walls. However, it is also not always allowed under building code, and installing it without checking first can leave you vulnerable to penalties. You also want to be careful to choose a variety that is flame-tested and, when in doubt, add a radiant barrier.
The type of insulation that works best for you will depend on the activities that take place in your garage and your budget. People who simply store cars and do laundry in their garages will have a different insulation need than those who perform large projects with lots of chemicals or power tools. Bring up any special requests or circumstances when discussing insulation with a contractor.
Ace Insulation Inc offers insulation in Petaluma, CA for attics, garages and the living areas of your home or business. Call us today to see what will work best for you.
