October 27, 2017

How can I be sure that a garage advertised as R-16 meets the standards?

R-16 meets the standards

You have been searching the Internet looking for the perfect new garage door. You’ve decided that the R‑16 thermal resistance value of your next door will be the best for your needs. You want to be sure that the new door you purchase really provides that insulation, but how can you find out the truth?

In order to be sure, you should have an understanding of how an R‑value is measured. Garage door manufacturers measure this by taking a reading at the center of a door section. After that, they will measure the thermal conductivity of that section in the same way that they would for a double‑paned window. A garage door would need to be injected with polyurethane foam and at least 1 ¾” (45 mm) thick to obtain an R‑16 value.

Do an easy test yourself!

It is simple to measure an R‑16 garage door’s effectiveness by yourself, which we will explain below. Before doing so, understanding these things first.

  • Garage is attached to your home
    • To understand the process, we will assume that your garage connects to your house and is already insulated.
    • We will also assume that you do not have heat in the garage or that, if you do, it doesn’t change results to a great extent.
  • The actual garage door
    • The R‑16 garage door uses insulation with injected polyurethane foam, which is much more effective than the insulation of polystyrene.
    • There is a weatherstripping system around the exterior perimeter of the door, known as double‑lip weatherstripping, between sections of the door, including thermal breaks, and at the bottom of the door to ensure flexibility when the weather is cold.

At this point, the measuring can begin. It is a good idea to do this on a morning then the outdoor thermometer reads at freezing or below. This is the optimal time to do the measurements.

New you should get inside your car and turn the key but do not activate the engine. Check your dashboard or another output area to see what outdoor temperature is displayed. Remember or make a note of this number. At this point, you can start your car and drive around for about 15 minutes. Take a note of the temperature at this time.

For example: On a cold winter morning, in your garage, your display thermometer may read 32°F (0°C). You go out and drive for a few kilometers/miles at which times your dashboard outdoor reading may say something such as ‑6°F (-21°C). By looking at these numbers you can see your R‑16 garage door, which is properly insulated and weathertight, will keep your garage 30°F (20°C) warmer than the temperature is outside of the garage.

Weather

This test can also be done in the summertime when temperatures are at the hottest. A garage door with effective weatherstripping and adequate insulation aids in ensuring your garage stays cool and nice.

Try it for yourself and see the results, which will show just how much R‑16 garage doors change the temperature for you.

Where should I buy an R‑16 garage door?

Feel free to contact us anytime at 508-875-3508. We have knowledge about garage doors and would love to help you make the best choice by sharing the information you need. We would also be happy to send you a quotation by email.

We are also glad to visit you at your home to explain the many products available on the market. We can help advise you on the best choice for your particular situation. You can also use our Design Centre to come up with ideas or try our image gallery.

Add new comment

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.