As energy costs rise, keeping our buildings heated has become a prominent issue. This makes insulated garage roller doors an integral investment for both homes and businesses. From their high energy efficiency ratings to their durability, this form of security shutters offers many benefits that non-insulated doors do not provide.
If you’re looking to get a new garage door or replace your current model, insulated garage roller doors are the sensible choice to opt for this winter to save money and enhance your home and business security. Read on to discover the benefits and discover how we can help you find the perfect door that meets your needs.
What are the key differences between insulated and non-insulated garage roller doors?
Garage doors come in three varieties; there are garage doors with a single layer of steel that possess no extra insulation, doors with double layers of steel that include a single layer of polystyrene insulation, and doors with three layers of steel and a combination of both polystyrene and polyurethane (a high-density material).
An insulated garage door uses insulation inside the door’s structure as a buffer between outdoor and indoor temperatures. Insulated roller garage doors are made from foam-filled aluminium slats which hinge together and roll up into a coil. A garage door that is not insulated usually consists of a single panel of wood or metal, offering few heating and security advantages.
What are the benefits of insulated garage roller doors?
Energy efficiency
The core advantage of having an insulated garage roller door is energy efficiency. Many people are put off investing in insulated garage doors due to their initial price. Non-insulated doors are undoubtedly cheaper, leading people to believe they are the more affordable option. However, in the long run, this is far from true. Doors with no insulation have very poor thermal efficiency ratings.
This can lead to drafty rooms in the winter and hot, stuffy rooms in the summer. This means during the colder part of the year, you’ll waste money trying to heat your home. Alternatively, during the winter months, an insulated garage door can help keep your whole house warm. While most non-insulated garage doors risk losing heat acquired through central heating systems, insulated doors will retain hot air while keeping cold air out. This means you can make substantial savings on your heating bill - at a time of rising energy costs, this certainly makes insulated doors a worthy investment.
Increased door strength
Dealing with a broken shutter can be frustrating. Older, uninsulated garage doors often consist of thin steel sheets wrapped over the panel frames. These are at risk of being dented easily by cars and items stored in the garage, as well as being damaged by bad weather. In commercial environments, it’s also likely these doors will sustain wear and tear as a result of the constant passing through of objects and equipment. In all these instances, insulated garage roller doors can provide increased security measures.
They are typically constructed of two or three layers of steel, making them extremely robust. Comprised of high-density materials such as polyurethane, often combined with polystyrene, insulated doors are significantly more durable. This makes them resistant to vibrations and shaking, rendering them a more effective form of security than non-insulated doors. This increased door strength also reduces the amount you’ll need to spend on shutter repairs and replacements.
Quieter operation
Insulation will also have a positive impact on noise control. If you use your garage to work with power tools, play instruments and listen to loud music, installing an insulated roller door can be effective in suppressing noise. The insulation muffles vibration and dampens noise from outside the door, such as traffic and barking dogs. Furthermore, due to the tight construction of insulated doors, there’s less loose material to make noise. Additionally, the quieter operation will be a welcome bonus if your garage shares a wall with a living room or bedroom.
More comfortable space
Irrespective of if you’re operating from home or in a commercial setting, extra warmth can make your garage a more comfortable and convenient space to live and work in. Insulated garage roller doors will enhance the year-round usability of your garage, whether it houses your family dog and serves as a hub for your DIY projects or is used for business purposes.
Protect your belongings
If you use your garage to store your car or other vehicles, then investing in insulated doors might be for the best. Extreme temperatures tend to have a negative impact on the condition of your car in a number of ways:
- Shorter battery life or dead batteries
- Thickened transmission, engine, and brake fluids
- Low air pressure in tires
- Unreliable spark plugs and wiring
Materials like paints and chemicals can also be affected. Creating a stable environment is key to reducing this. During the winter months, keeping your car in temperatures above freezing can decrease potential damage sustained. The watertight element of insulated doors can also be useful - it helps prevent humid conditions, reduces the build-up of mould in your garage and creates a cleaner internal environment.
Boost your house price
If you’re considering selling your house, investing in garage insulation can boost your home’s chances on the market. Your home value will be increased by reducing annual energy costs and expanding your garage’s usability, making it a worthy renovation.
Maximise existing space
Aside from their strong insulation qualities, enhanced security measures and quieter operation, insulated garage roller doors are proficient at saving space. Rather than opening inward or sliding along tracks, roller doors don’t take up any floor room. This is particularly useful in commercial contexts by creating additional storage space and allowing transit vehicles to pass through easily.
Simplistic design
Alongside their host of practical advantages, insulated garage roller doors have a universally appealing design. Offering a modern and sophisticated look to any garage, the no-fuss appearance of roller doors makes them a suitable addition to a range of buildings.
Option of remote devices
Garage roller doors are highly convenient and require little effort to operate - often it’s as simple as pushing a button. Opting for an automated door with a remote control device has a range of benefits:
- In many cases, you won’t even need to get out of your vehicle. As winter draws in, this is an appealing prospect to many people.
- Remote controls offer an added security bonus, as they make buildings significantly harder to break into.
- They contain appropriate safety features, such as sensors and systems to prevent them from closing on objects or people in the line of path. This protects vehicles, people - particularly small children - and even pets from garage accidents.
What kind of insulation is best for me?
When selecting insulated garage roller doors, an easy way to determine their effectiveness at preventing heat loss is to consult the ‘R-value’ system. This is used to evaluate energy efficiency. Measured between 8 and 32, a higher number signifies a better insulator.
Similarly, STC ratings are used to indicate how effective your garage door is in resisting the passage of airborne sound. High R-values are usually synonymous with higher STC ratings. If you’re looking to install a garage door that meets your insulation requirements, check the R-value and STC readings before you install.
Find insulated doors and security shutters for your business
Sunrise Shopfronts & Shutters offer a range of insulated garage roller doors. Supplied with a corrosion-resistant aluminium slat that helps in insulating and soundproofing your garage, we’ve got everything you need to make the most of your garage this winter. You’ll also get the option of a remote control device that can be modified with alarm buzzers, wall switches and transmitters for a modern touch.
At Sunrise Shopfronts & Shutters, we specialise in designing and installing shopfront security shutters that meet your custom requirements. With over 10 years of experience in shopfront fabrication and fitting, we can design, supply and install bespoke shutters and shopfronts within 7 days of your order. From us, you can expect quality craftsmanship and a polished finish. Contact us today to enquire about the services we provide.
Comments