Is an Insulated Garage Door Worth It?

Warmer garage

Insulated doors keep the garage warmer, which helps cars start and protects stored items.

Rooms above

Bedrooms over the garage stay more comfortable.

Quieter

Insulated doors are quieter when moving and block street noise.

Sturdier

Insulated doors are usually stiffer and resist dents better.

R-values

Compare R-values between doors; polyurethane cores usually rate higher.

Seals matter

Good perimeter and bottom seals are needed to get the full benefit.

Detached garages

Less important for unheated detached garages, unless you use them as workshops.

Cost

Insulated doors cost more but are a popular upgrade.

Next

See new garage doors.

Energy in a Michigan winter

An attached garage shares a wall, and sometimes a ceiling, with the house. When the garage drops to near outdoor temperatures on a January night, the rooms next to it lose heat through that wall. An insulated door and good seals keep the garage several degrees warmer, which eases that loss.

Using the garage as a workshop

If you work on cars, store a second fridge or keep a home gym in the garage, an insulated door makes the space usable for more of the year.

More garage door repair guides

• Garage Doors and Lake-Effect Snow
• Garage Door Frozen to the Floor
• Signs Your Garage Door Spring Is Wearing Out
• Safety Sensors and a Door That Won't Close
• Choosing a Garage Door Technician