For places with a temperate climate like Los Angeles, garage door insulation may seem unnecessary. But that’s until you experience the wrath of a Southern California heat wave or the chilly LA winters. So before the season changes, it’s best that you know how to insulate a garage door and who you can call to install it for you.
In this post, we’ll discuss these points to help you in insulating garage doors, do-it-yourself style, or what you can expect from professionals like us. Read on to see what goes on in the process!
Types of garage door insulation
There are many garage door insulation benefits, but you’ll only reap all of them if you choose the right type for your property. With that said, here are the most common types we provide to our fellow locals:
Steps on how to insulate a garage door
Whichever type of insulation you choose, we follow similar steps in installing them. Just note that certain insulation types may need specific installation steps. But when in doubt, our garage door repair in Los Angeles is just a call away.
In case you want to know how to insulate a garage door cheaply, here are the steps you can take:
Step 1. Clean your garage door first
First, you have to clean your garage door panels to ensure that you’re not insulating over gunk and dirt. Also, this is to ensure that the adhesive will stick well even if you’re also using retainers or other installation hardware.
If you’re replacing an old layer of insulation, see to it that you strip the old adhesive properly. You can use a mild cleaner and let the garage door dry fully before starting the installation process.
Step 2. Measure and cut the insulation
While waiting for your garage door to dry, you can start working on the measurements. You have to measure the width and height of each garage door panel so you can cut the insulation batting or panels accordingly.
For this, you’d want a snug fit, so the insulation won’t fall off or get in the way of your garage door’s operation.
Our rule of thumb is that if the insulation panels have grooves at the back, we cut it exactly as the panel measurements. However, if the insulation is very rigid, we may cut it half an inch smaller to fit nicely to the garage door panel.
But take note: Garage door panels may vary in size, so we suggest taking measurements and cutting the insulation one by one. Don’t use one panel’s measurement for the rest, as it may not fit well.
Step 3. Install the garage door insulation panels
Once you’ve cut the insulation panel, you can install it directly into the garage door. If you have adhesive-backed insulation, just peel off the paper backing and stick it gently into the door. We suggest marking the alignment spots so you won’t have to peel the insulation on and off the door.
Step 4. Seal the gaps
After you’re done insulating the entire door, the next thing you have to do is check for gaps. Take note that these gaps will allow drafts and it will also cause your door to rattle during operation.
If you spot gaps on your door insulation, you can fill it using expanding foam. This can also be a convenient solution if you’ve made some mistakes on your measurements.
Step 5. Test the door
Once you’re all done sealing gaps, the final step is to test your door. You may need to adjust your garage door opener setting, especially if the insulation has added substantial weight to the system.
While operating the door, check if it runs smoothly or if there’s an unusual rattling going on. Try opening and closing it a few times to see if it works well. After that, your insulated garage door is all set!
Professional vs. DIY garage door insulation
When it comes to insulating your garage door, you can either turn it into a DIY project or trust the professionals for the best results. Both can be an effective choice, but we think you should know the pros and cons before you pick one.
Pros of professional garage door insulation
Cons of professional garage door insulation
Pros of DIY garage door insulation
Cons of DIY garage door insulation
- There’s a high possibility that you might damage your door, which will cost more to repair.
- It’s not the wisest choice if you’ve just gotten a new garage door installation as DIY work will void its warranty coverage.
- DIY insulation can be time-consuming, and unless you’re a handyman, you would have to do a lot of guesswork.
Looking for the best insulation for garage doors? Rock Garage Door Repair can help!
If you don’t know how to install garage door insulation or don’t want to risk DIY work, you can simply call us at Rock Garage Door Repair! Our team is on-call 24/7 for all your garage door needs, whether it’s insulation or other services.
We’re also available for same-day service wherever you are in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. And for your peace of mind, all our technicians are licensed and insured. They can also install insulation on just about any garage door brand, be it Clopay, Genie, LiftMaster, Sommer, or any model you have in your LA property.
If you want to know more about your insulation options, contact us today for a quick consultation. We’ll also give you a free and no-obligation quote!
