If you have just started the search for a new garage door, it’s likely that you found out about the value of an R-16 door. This is one that has a good level of thermal resistance, and is something you have added to the “must have” list of features for the new door or doors on your garage. Naturally, you know you need to perform due diligence when investing in a door, and you want to know just how to be certain a door really is R-16. The good news is that we have a few ways to help you figure that out.
Know the details behind grading
Garage door makers are required to gauge the R‑values of their doors by taking formal readings at the center of a door section. The readings let them gauge the thermal conductivity of that section (much as a double paned window is tested). A typical R‑16 value garage door has to be around 1 ¾” thick (45 mm) AND injected with special polyurethane foam.
Do your own test
Before we look at the way to test a garage door yourself, let’s just consider the scenario we’ve designed as our illustration. The ideal setup is a garage that is attached to a house, and one that is insulated. It should be unheated as this will not allow proper testing. If it is heated and the heat can be safely shut off during testing, that will yield good results.
The garage door or doors to be tested should be insulated with injected polyurethane foam. The R‑26 doors are typically twice as effective as those filled with polystyrene. The door to be tested should also be properly fitted with weatherstripping. This should be around the exterior of the door, which is known as double lip weatherstripping. It should also appear between door sections and at the bottom of the door.
To conduct a test, it is best to plan it for a morning in which temperatures outdoors are well below freezing. Enter your vehicle (inside of the garage), and turn the key only halfway. Let the outdoor temperature that appears on the dashboard panel indicate the outdoor conditions. Make note of the figure and then start the car. Drive around the area for around 15 minutes, and make note of the temperature as you pull into the drive.
Now you can make your calculations. For example, if the display on the dash told you that it was 320 F (00 C) inside of the garage (before starting the car), and then that it was 60 F (- 210 C) when you were done driving around, then you can reasonably say the door is R‑16. Why? Because a properly insulated and weathertight door is going to always maintain an interior temperature of least 300 F (200 C) warmer than the temperatures outdoors.
You can also do it in the summer, when the season experiences its highest temperatures. A properly insulated garage door will keep the interior of your garage cool.
Where to purchase R‑16 garage doors
If this has inspired you to upgrade, just contact us at 860-666-9315. We have years of expertise and will gladly guide you through the entire process. We can even start by sending a quotation by email.
We are glad to come to your home or property and explain what doors will work for your situation, goals and curb appeal. We also invite you to explore some looks using our innovative online Design Centre or by taking some ideas from our image gallery.
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