Home Improvement

Garage Door Insulation: Steps In Insulating Your Garage

Insulation is a significant factor in making sure your shed is cosy and convenient to work in. Ensuring it’s well insulated when the weather changes can help keep it from being excessively hot or cold. Garage door insulation can be done with various materials and, once done correctly, doesn’t seem expensive. Whatever you use it for, the shed is an integral part of your home, just like the house itself. No matter what it is—storage, a place for hobbies, or even a straightforward workshop—it must be as cosy and well-kept as your own house.

Its improper insulation is among the most prevalent garage door issues, which can be expensive. Garage insulation of doors is becoming commonplace due to the advantages and simplicity of installation.

When Should Garage Doors Be Insulated?

When conditions are moderate, it is ideal for insulating a garage door so that you may do it in comfort. On the other hand, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is. Keep in mind that the installation process may be hindered by the inability of some adhesives to function correctly if the weather is much below freezing. Maybe you should hold off till it’s a bit warmer.

You will require the following items to proceed:

Materials

  • spray lubricant with silicone
  • weatherstripping for garage doors
  • trim nails made of exterior grade
  • garage door weather seal at the bottom
  • alcohol, isopropyl
  • kit for insulating garage doors 

Tools

  • Rags
  • Gloves
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil or marker
  • Hand saw
  • Straightedge
  • 2-foot long piece of scrap lumber
  • Pliers
  • Hammer
  • Pry bar
  • Regular screwdriver

10 Steps For Garage Door Insulation

Garage insulation of doors involves more than just adding insulation pieces. Reducing airflow underneath the door is another necessary step in completely sealing it from the elements. 

1. Get the area ready

To make the task more fun:

  1. Remove any vehicles from the garage.
  2. Disconnect or switch off your garage door opener at the circuit panel to make it inoperable if you have one.
  3. Turn off the door’s security latch.

2. Dispose of the bottom weather cover

Your current weatherstripping seals would need to be changed if they are stiffened, broken, or otherwise destroyed. Increase the door’s height by a few feet. As a crowbar, use a sharp screwdriver to begin prying the bottom seal off the metal rail. 

3. Take off the doorway and stop weatherstripping.

Using the crowbar and mallet, remove the weather stripping off from the door’s outer side. Remove any nails or screws that stick out.

4. Place fasteners

The kit comes with either plastic or metal connectors. Remember where you measured midway between the top and bottom of every panel and around 30 cm from the edge. Each board will have two hooks.

5. Slice and measure insulation

Add 5 cm to each measurement after measuring the height and breadth of one garage door panel. Slice an insulation batt with the knife blade, facing side down, while wearing gloves.

Place a scrap piece of wood below and use a straightedge as a reference.

6. Add insulation

At each screw, use your knife to make a tiny hole. Put insulation in place by pressing it against fasteners. Insert the edges of the board. Press the fastening caps tightly onto each screw to keep them in place.

7. Place the bottom seal

Break open the bottom circuit’s soldered ends. Apply silicone lube to the track. If necessary, use a screwdriver to clear the way of any debris. Slip the replacement seal into the path beginning at one point. To hold the seal in place, pinch the ends of the track with pliers. Bring the door back to its closed state.

8. Install the door stop’s edges

The width of the door that opens on one side should be measured. Slide the strip towards the door by holding the soft vinyl side against it and moving it about one-quarter inch. This will guarantee a strong seal. 

9. Install the door stop at the top

The topmost piece of weatherstripping was measured and cut. One of the edges should be in alignment with the top of one of the side pieces. Fix it with a nail. Continue pinning the strip by driving a nail each 18 to 24 inches while going in a single direction.

10. Review the Balance

It would help if you balanced the mass of the garage door against the necessary spring tension. Rarely, the extra weight of added insulation might throw off this equilibrium. Lift the door approximately halfway, then release the handle to evaluate the balance. 

Conclusion

When someone looks at your property, garage door insulation is one of the first features they’ll see, adding kerb appeal and a second entrance. Given that your garage insulation door opener is often the largest in your house, it may also be a significant source of heat loss and energy use. Due to this, living spaces become draughty in the winter, hot and muggy in the summer, and a large amount of money is spent on air-conditioning. 

If you’re unsure how to insulate your garage door or want to put a garage door in your house, the best course of action is to hire a professional who can perform the job right.