Green Building Options for Your Garage Door
Garage doors play an important role in thermo regulating your home. This is because it is used to cover the largest opening in your house, hence needs extra attention. There are several ideas you can explore to make your garage door more energy-efficient and green. Improper installation of your garage door can lead to high energy bills and also cause temperatures to fluctuate within your home. To remedy this problem, some homeowners opt for energy-efficient garage doors. However, with the help of professional firms such as SoCal garage doors, you can make some changes to green your garage door. Here are a few building options to consider.
A Well-Built Garage Door
Garage doors are built to withstand the test of time as well as protect your home from extreme weather. This means manufacturers invest a lot of energy and resource to develop high-quality and durable garage doors. Instead of going for substandard quality, it makes more sense to install the best garage door; this is both cost-effective and sustainable. Going for cheaper builds means you have to replace the door after every ten to fifteen years, an option that is neither eco-friendly nor cost-efficient.
A more sustainable and eco-friendly option is for you to buy a garage door from a manufacturer with a reputation for making quality doors from eco-friendly materials while maintaining excellent craftsmanship. One of the most popular brands is SoCal, delivering quality garage doors in Los Angeles. Another factor you should consider when shopping is maintenance. For the door to serve you for a long time and even extend its life span, it’s advisable to carry out regular maintenance tasks.
During maintenance, it’s best to stick to the manufacturer’s guide; this way, you can follow the specific maintenance instructions for your model. On top of that, you should get a professional to service the door periodically.
Garage Door Insulation
The best way to make your garage door greener is by including an effective insulation coating. Keep in mind that garage doors cover the largest gap in your home. Any crack can cause an increase in your energy bills. This is because cold air from the cracks in your garage is seeping into your house, causing your heating system to work overtime. Insulating or buying an insulated garage door helps keep out the cold air, making the door energy-efficient and, in turn, lowering your energy bills. A garage door’s insulation properties are measured using U and R values. A high R-value and a low U-value is an indication of a door with excellent insulation.
A garage door with insulation is an invaluable asset for people living in cold regions. However, you can insulate your door for the winter months with SoCal garage door installation services. Adding this feature to your garage door is important, especially if you install a heating system in your garage. Before settling on a specific door, it’s best to go over its weather-stripping. These strips form a seal around the door to keep cold air from seeping into your home.
Add Window Tint
Most garage doors are designed with windows. Some people include these windows for aesthetics, while others use them for functionality. They are a good way of bathing your garage space with natural light. However, during warm seasons, these windows can be a menace to not only the garage but the rest of the house. Warm sun rays heat the internal setting of the garage, causing heat transfers to other parts of the house. This causes your home’s temperature to fluctuate, raising you’re your energy bills.
Adding a reflective film or tinting your windows helps to block harmful UV rays from entering your home. This is also an effective way of boosting your home’s energy efficiency and protecting your internal setting from high temperatures.
Get an Energy-Efficient Opener
A garage door opener is the busiest component of a garage door. It opens and closes the door every time you need access to the garage, causing the associated energy costs to pile up. With technological advancement, manufacturers have come up with energy-efficient openers; this way, you can increase your savings on energy costs. The greener option for people with old openers is to switch to the new and improved versions that consume less power. The best part is that these new models offer smooth operation and are quieter. Before buying a garage door opener, it’s best to consult your garage door contractor to find the best option that fits your door model.
Buy from an Eco-friendly Manufacturer
Going green goes beyond the door you choose to install; you also need to look at the manufacturer’s practices. It would be best to find a manufacturer with a standing reputation for their sustainability. Look at companies that minimize waste, use eco-friendly production methods, and prioritize the use of recycled materials. SoCal garage doors have built a reputation for making some of the best eco-friendly doors. They also employ eco-friendly production methods to minimize waste.
Eco-friendly Garage Door Materials
To go green, the materials used in building your garage door should be a top priority. Eco-friendly and energy-efficient garage doors are made using natural, sustainable or recycled materials. Your focus should be on the impact of your door on the environment as well as its ability to help you conserve energy at home. Here are some of the materials you should consider.
Composite steel: these doors are strong, durable, and are mostly made from recycled metal. The best part about this material is that it can take various shapes and designs to fit your specific needs and enhance your curb appeal.
Wood and wood composite: this is the most common material, preferred for its aesthetics and sustainability. However, you should go over the manufacturer’s production methods to ensure they practice sustainable production methods. You can as well buy garage doors made of composite wood reclaimed from other buildings—for example, those earmarked for demolition.
Recycled aluminum: this material is not only strong and durable, but they are also an eco-friendly option to include in your home. The greatest selling points for recycled materials are lightweight, easy to clean, and corrosion resistance. With regular maintenance, these doors can serve you for a very long time.
Benefits of an Eco-friendly Door
Home value: In the last decade, more people have become aware of the benefits of eco-friendly practices. This can be seen with a rise in demand for homes with green elements. Installing an eco-friendly garage door is an effective way to go green and raise the home’s value.
Bill saving: eco-friendly doors come with high-quality insulation that comes in handy during hot days and cold nights. They can also be custom fitted to prevent airflows, thus increasing energy efficiency while decreasing your energy bills. Due to their durable qualities, you don’t have to spend more on garage door repairs or replacement.
Door lifespan: these garage doors are built using long-lasting, eco-friendly materials. This means they can serve you for a long time while protecting your home from weather extremities. They also come with weatherproof coatings to slow down wear and tear that occurs over time.
There are several green building options for your garage; however, you need the professional opinion of an expert. This way, you can pick the right materials and components for your eco-friendly door.
