When the weather gets cold in Durham, your garage is one of the areas most vulnerable to temperature fluctuations. A poorly insulated garage door doesn’t just make your winter days cold—it can cause high energy bills, decrease home comfort, and shorten the lifespan of items in your garage. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to upgrade that insulation, here are the top signs your garage door needs stronger protection this winter.
Your Garage Feels Noticeably Cold
The most apparent warning is temperature. If your garage is nearly as cold as the outside world, even with the door closed, it means your current insulation isn’t really up to snuff. An insulated garage door can help regulate the temperature in your garage and block out cold drafts from entering your house.
Rising Heating Bills
If your energy bill climbs each winter, insufficient garage insulation may be a contributing factor. If you’ve got an attached garage, heat can easily escape through thin or uninsulated panels, putting even more strain on your heating system. If you want to be more energy efficient, consider upgrading your existing door with an insulated model.
You Feel Drafts Coming from Around the Door
With your garage door closed and your hand running along all the edges, do you feel any cold air? If so, worn or inadequate weatherstripping is often to blame. Sometimes it helps to replace weather seals, but if the door itself is poorly insulated, drafts will persist.
Temperature variation is Damaging Items in Your Garage
Frigid temperatures can damage paint, electronics, power tools, stored liquids and even your car’s battery. If anything is cracking, breaking from freezing or warping in stored items, your garage door insulation is not fulfilling its role in thermal protection for the garage.
The door is loud in operation
Did you realize that insulation also helps reduce the noise from your garage door? If your door rattles, vibrates loudly, or sounds “thin,” it may lack insulation in its panels. Insulating will reduce noise and strengthen the door.
Condensation Forms Inside the Garage
Moisture accumulation occurs when warm indoor air comes into contact with cold surfaces, as is the case with an uninsulated garage door. Condensation can, over time, lead to rust, mould and damage to stored possessions. The insulation maintains a stable enough temperature to prevent moisture problems.
Your Door Is Old & Has Outdated Insulation
If your garage door is older than 10-15 years, it probably doesn’t have the polyurethane or polystyrene insulation options available with today’s doors. Today’s insulated doors have much higher R-values (a measure of thermal resistance), making them more efficient and longer-lasting.
Bedrooms Above or Beside the Garage are Cold
The cold air quickly sweeps from the garage into other areas. If you’ve got bedrooms or a bonus room over your garage and they feel drafty every winter, an uninsulated garage door might be contributing to an unbalanced temperature in your whole house.
Why Insulation Matters More in Durham Winters
It may not have sub-zero cold like in states up north, but Durham’s combo of cold snaps, wind chills and humidity can still make garages horrifically uncomfortable. An insulated door:
- Keeps warm air in
- Reduces strain on HVAC systems
- Enhances the look and feel of your home
- Safeguards the car, tools and storage equipment
- Assists in deadening the door during operation
Improve Your Insulation with The Durham Garage Door Guys
If you have seen any of these indicators, winter is the best time to improve your garage door insulation. At Durham Garage Door Guys, we provide superior-quality insulated garage door installation and repair services to keep your home as warm or cool as possible year-round.
Ready to winter-proof your garage?
Call Durham Garage Door Guys today to receive a FREE estimate on the type of insulation best suited for your home.
