Your garage door is more than just an entryway. It’s the primary protection layer of your property and plays an important role in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Garage doors not only keep your property protected, but they’re also a symbol of luxury and aristocracy. Every property owner wants to install a beautiful garage door, but when it comes to performance and functionality, there are many modern and smart technologies. The two most popular types of garage doors are insulated garage doors and non-insulated garage doors.

Both insulated and non-insulated garage doors serve the basic purpose of securing the garage property. The performance, durability, and cost of each option vary significantly. Ultimately, it is your decision to choose which garage doors will be the best fit for your property. In this guide we break down each available garage door option and share with you the functions and workings of the garage doors.

What Is an Insulated Garage Door?

An insulated garage door crafted with multiple layers of materials, which can help you to regulate the garage’s temperatures and reduce unnecessary energy loss. Most of the insulated doors are constructed with either two or three layers of steel and aluminum filled with the insulated materials, like polystyrene or polyurethane.

The insulation on the door improves its R-value. High-R-value garage doors mean the thermal resistance of the door is high; it can keep the heat in during the winter and out during the summer. The temperature control and garage door insulation are going to strengthen the door and reduce noise. You can contact us for the installation of insulated garage doors in Pittsburgh.

What ‘s a Non-Insulated Garage Door?

A non-insulated garage door is typically a single layer of steel and aluminum without the presence of insulated material. These doors are lighter and less expensive and also provide basic security. Non-insulated doors function well in specific climates and are suitable for detachable garages, offering minimal protection against extreme temperatures. These doors are lighter and less expensive than insulated garage doors. These doors provide basic security for your property. 

They work well in certain climates, but detached garage doors and non-insulated doors provide minimal protection against harsh weather conditions and extreme temperatures and are not ideal for long-term durability.

Insulated vs Non-Insulated Garage Doors

Have a look at the few main key differences between insulated and non-insulated garage doors to see how each option stacks up.

1. Better Energy Efficient Garage Doors

Insulated Doors: Insulated garage doors come with better thermal protections and reduce the costs of maintaining a stable garage temperature. If your garage door is attached to your house, it prevents all kinds of heat loss and prevents the chance of spreading to any other attached rooms.

Non-Insulated Doors: Non-insulated doors do not have any protection barrier against harsh climates and extreme temperature changes. Non-insulated garage doors often result in higher heating and cooling bills when they are attached to your house.

2. Which Garage Door is More Durable?

Insulated Doors: Insulated doors are manufactured by combining multiple insulation layers. This feature makes the garage door more durable, sturdy, and climate-resistant while also protecting it from dents, making it a long-lasting option.

Non-Insulated Doors: Non-insulated garage doors are constructed of a single thin layer of metal. Non-insulated garage doors are making them more prone to damage and reducing the impacts of weather.

3. Noise Reduction

Insulated Doors: Insulated garage doors reduce all types of outside noises and operate much more quietly. Insulated garage doors are particularly useful if you live near a busy street and use the garage as a workshop.

Non-Insulated Doors: A non-insulated door provides basic security and has a minimal soundproofing layer, which is ineffective during the opening and closing of the door.

4. Comfort Comparison

Insulated Doors: Insulated garage doors are more comfortable and if you spend much time in your garage, the doors’ weather, as well as the workshop, storage area and gym insulation, makes a noticeable difference.

Non-Insulated Doors: Non-insulated garage doors leave the garage exposed to outside temperatures, which can make it unbearably hot in the summer and freezing in the winter.

5. Which is the Much Costlier Option

Insulated Doors: Insulated garage doors are much more expensive upfront due to their layered construction and added materials. For installing theinsulated garage doors, you can call Steel City Garage Doors 

Non-Insulated Doors: Non-insulated doors are a much more budget-friendly option and also a good choice for any homeowners who are looking for the most affordable option.

6. Maintenance Comparison

Insulated Doors: Insulated garage doors need very minimal maintenance, and their sturdier building nature means fewer repairs are required over time.

Non-Insulated Doors: Non-insulated garage doors need much more frequent maintenance procedures due to dents or warping.

7. Which has Better Reselling Value?

Insulated Doors: Insulated garage doors are available in more stylish designs and different vibrant colors. Energy efficiency and durability are both high in insulated garage doors; hence, they increase your home’s resale value.

Non-insulated Garage Doors: Non-insulated garage doors provide a proper design without adding the value of efficiency or comfort. Non-insulated garage doors are like regular doors; you will not get the reselling value against the non-insulated garage doors.

When Should You Choose an Insulated Garage Door?

An insulated garage door is the right choice for the following scenarios.

  • Your garage is attached to your main property or home.
  • You live in an extreme climate, characterized by excessively hot summers and exceptionally cold winters.
  • You can use your garage door for purposes beyond parking in a gym, office and workshop.
  • You want to improve your home’s energy efficiency and property resealing value.
  • You live in a house on a busy street or want noise reduction.

When Should You Choose a Non-Insulated Garage Door?

A non-insulated garage door is a practical choice in the following scenarios.

  • Your garage door is detached and not used for living space.
  • You are living in a mild climate where temperatures don’t swing drastically.
  • You want a simple door with minimum safety and a budget-friendly solution.
  • You primarily use the garage door for vehicle storage only.

Pros and Cons of Insulated Garage Doors

Pros

Cons

Better energy efficiency boosts property value and is beneficial for maintaining garage temperature stability.

For installing insulated garage doors, you have to maintain a higher budget.

The structure is more durable, and the garage door operates more quietly.

 

It offers superior comfort and usability.

 

Pros and Cons of Non-Insulated Garage Doors

Pros

Cons

The initial outlay is significantly reduced.

Non-insulated garage doors lack emergency efficiency benefits, are less durable, and are much more prone to dents.

Non-insulated garage doors are lightweight and easy to install.

Non-insulated garage doors do not have any noise-controlling  

It is sufficient for detached garages located in mild and non-harsh weather conditions.

 

Non-insulated garage doors are less expensive.

 

Bottom Line: Which One Should You Choose?

The choice depends on various factors like your budget, climate, durability, structure, etc. But in a single word, I can say that insulated garage doors are always a smarter choice in the long run. Non-insulated garage doors are a less expensive option, but they offer very limited features and do not increase the property’s value. Which type of garage door is best for your garage? You can contact (412) 504-7100 for expert consultation.  We are offering 24/7 availability for garage door service.

FAQS

Energy-saving processes can vary, but homeowners with insulated doors often notice lower heating and cooling bills, especially when their garage door is attached to their home. Therefore, if you are considering improving energy efficiency, it is essential to choose an insulated garage door.

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Not necessarily; many of the insulated garage doors and non-insulated garage doors look identical. But insulated garage door performances are better.

It is possible to transform your non-insulated garage doors into insulated garage doors by installing insulation layers on the garage doors.

Polyurethane insulation has a higher R-value. It also has outstanding strength compared to other materials used for garage door insulation. If you compare Polystyrene and Polyurethane Insulation, Polyurethane Insulation is a much sturdier option.