Insulating A Garage Door

[Bob_Roller]

Has anyone installed a styrofoam type insulation to their garage door ?

I'm wondering if it's worth the effort, does it make a noticeable difference in temperature .

[Justin B.]

I don't know, both of the doors I've installed came with the stuff pre-installed.  I can say, though, that when it's windy they seem to be quieter/don't rattle as much as those without...

[MrRiden]

Just saw our local Lowes offers a kit. Gonna have to have a look myself

[Bob_Roller]

One thing I was told, is that you need to adjust the coil spring, if you have 'torsion bar' type garage door, where you have one or two coil springs wound on a metal tube that makes the door almost weightless .

So you may need a 'fish scale' type device to measure the force to move the door with the operator disconnected before the addition of the insulation, then adjust the spring to get the same force, so you don't overload the door operator .  

[steve hawkins]

I would expect if you had a single up and over type of garage door, that adding anything to the door would be negated by the gaps around the door.

I have seen people add a tarp roll that comes down after the door is closed to keep the breeze out.  But it is fiddly to roll back up again.

The other things I have seen are those roller type garage doors, made up of slats that roll up with a motor.  They seal quite well and keep the weather out, but are a bit rich for my blood.  I.e. too expensive.

[Justin B.]

I had better add, then, that my doors are the "roll-up" variety with maybe 1.5' panels and no torsion spring.  I would guess this insulation might add only a couple pounds so the springs might not care.  In my shop I also have a seal around the top and sides that screws on to the exterior of the frame like a door-jamb.  That, combined with the seal on the bottom of the door, is very effective at sealing the big hole.

[montmil]

Have had my DIY garage door insulation for many years and, yes, it's really worth it. Double garage. Steel door. Adds only a few ounces of weight but turns a cold garage into a comfy work space.

I bought a couple sheets of 4x8, 2-sided, foil faced, foam insulation. Cut to fi t the steel door panels. Install with Liquid Nails adhesive at the corners and the middle. You must leave an air gap or condensation will form between the door and insulation material = rust potential. The west-facing doors does not transfer afternoon heat, either. Double points!

Did this over 20 years ago and it's still perfect. I can warm the garage with my KeroSun heater and work in a T-shirt.

Forget the "kits". You'll just pay more money for what I got on the cheaps. Shut up, Bengt

Monte

[Bob_Roller]

I think I'll go to Home Depot, and get 6, 4 ft X 8 ft Styrofoam panels, and cut my own, and do both garage doors .

Cutting down on the summer heat was my main goal .

During the winter, the temperature in the garage rarely goes below 57 F .

[Justin B.]

Damn, Monte, Phorqs is right - you really are a cheap ba$tard!!!   [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]  Now, where's my freakin' sand!!!???  [smiley=stare.gif]  The rear wheel/tire is the only thing keeping the Dawg from being licensed and I can't find any blast sand anywhere 'round here...