R Value what does it really mean... and what should I get?

I Constantly get asked about the R Value of a door and sometimes it doesn't even apply to the customer based on there Garage Door. Highlighted below are four major reasons why you would need a higher insulation...

R Value-
        A Garage door opening is the largest moving object in your home. Insulated doors will help to reduce the transfer of heat or cold air into your garage. This is important for the following reasons:

1) If your garage is attached to your home, air in the garage can travel through the doorway to your living area.  An insulated garage door will reduce the transfer of air from the outside to the inside.

2) If you use your garage as a workshop or let's be serious a "Man Cave", your comfort will be a top priority.  An insulated garage door will help keep the temperature in the garage at a reasonable temperature as opposed to a non insulated door.

3) If your garage is below another room in your home, air can travel through the ceiling of the garage into the floor of the room above. An insulated door will keep temperatures in the garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature fluctuation in the room above. 

4) An insulated garage door is generally quieter and looks more attractive in the interior than a non-insulated door.

but than I get asked so whats good for me R10....R13...R17?
R-value is thermal resistance to heat flow. Many manufacturers use R-values to show the energy efficiency of their product. 


So is R16 twice as good as R8? Well.... No. 

If you look at the chart -----> an R16 Value offers a 5% in reduction in heat flow and a 5% improvement in energy efficiency over an R8 door.


So is R Value the most important?
Well Yes and No what you need to look at is the material of the door being quoted 
Two common insulation materials used in garage doors are polyurethane and polystyrene. 


Polyurethane Foam Construction: 
              Polyurethane foams are used as insulation in garage door panels, roof insulation on commercial buildings, wall insulation in newer high efficiency homes, office chairs, refrigerators, freezers, walk in coolers, furniture and in automobiles for dashboards, armrest’s, suspension bushings and many other areas.

Polyurethane foam is a two-part system. It begins with two chemical blends that when mixed together expand and cure to fill the garage door panel. During the expansion, the foam flows and completely fills the inside of the panel and comes in complete contact with and becomes fully adhered to the steel skins of the garage door panel to form a composite structure that is of exceptional strength and rigidity.

Polyurethane foams are very stable when encapsulated (fully enclosed) inside a garage door section.

Polystyrene Foam Construction:


Basically Polystyrene is the same material as in a coffee cup.


Polystyrene foam board must be attached to or inserted into the door sections. The foam must be held in place by mechanical means or by bonding the foam to the door skins by using adhesives (glue).

and since everything is so DIY now please be advised...
If you insulate an existing garage door, it will increase its weight and the counter balance spring will not work. You will have to replace it. It is better to go for a new door.

I sell two main brands of doors mainly because its simple for the consumer and they are a high grade manufacturers that I've trusted for over 15 years, when compared to like products Wayne Dalton and CHI doors I use provide the best value. 

Give Direct Overhead Doors a call and we can continue to guide you in your garage door decision. Call now for your FREE in home estimate 416-882-3695.. or send us an email

Did this answer your questions on Insulation.. Let us know by leaving a comment below....

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