Your garage door is an essential component of your home. It protects your cars, the interior of your home, and anything else you may store in your garage, from bikes to snowshoes to a hobby or workspace. Generally, though, your garage door isn’t something people think too much about, despite how prominent and important it is. This is especially true when it comes to the materials your garage door is made of. Insulated vs. non-insulated garage doors? What does it matter?

When you’re choosing a garage door and have to decide between insulated vs. non-insulated, it may seem like a minor detail you shouldn’t concern yourself too much with. In truth, the choice between insulated and non-insulated garage doors is a significant decision to make. Here’s what you need to know about insulated vs. non-insulated garage doors so that you can choose the right one for you.

Insulated Vs Non-Insulated Garage Doors: The Facts

To ensure that you make the right decision between insulated vs. non-insulated garage doors, you need to know the facts about both types so that you can come to an educated choice and be satisfied with the knowledge that you selected the right kind of garage door for you.

Insulated Garage Doors

Chances are that if you live in an area where temperatures vary drastically, like from hot summers to freezing winters, or if it is somewhere that is very consistently hot or very consistently frigid, you’ll want to opt for an insulated garage door. A lot of energy can escape through your garage door, but if it is insulated, then that keeps your garage energy efficient all year round. It also makes your garage a much more comfortable space.

Do you use your garage for hobbies or as a workspace? It can get super cold and uncomfortable without proper insulation in there, making it hard to utilize that space. Many people like to use their garages not just as a place to park their cars, but as an extension of their living space. If that’s you, you’re most likely going to want to go for an insulated garage door to ensure your garage is comfortable and can be used how you want.

In addition to this, insulated garage doors are more durable than non-insulated garage doors, due to their additional layers. They’re also quieter, and more attractive. A sturdy-looking garage door ups the curb appeal of your home and also provides better protection for your car and belongings. If you’re planning to sell your home within the next 10 years or so, installing an insulated garage door is a sure way to increase your property value.

However, there are several disadvantages to insulated garage doors that you should consider when caught between insulated vs. non-insulated garage doors. Insulated garage doors are more expensive than non-insulated garage doors, due to their added layers of steel and insulation, and some people cannot afford the expense even if they know the benefits of insulated garage doors.

Plus, insulated garage doors can only do so much. If you’re someone who routinely leaves your garage door open for extended periods of time, this can render the insulation less effective because it’s not being utilized.

Non-Insulated Garage Doors

If your garage isn’t attached to your home and you live somewhere with a mild climate where it’s a comfortable temperature all year round, you’ll likely be fine if you opt for a non-insulated garage door. Non-insulated garage doors are better suited for garages that aren’t attached to your home because they’re not as energy efficient as insulated garage doors. So, if you have them installed in a garage that you’re not planning to use as a living or work space and that won’t affect the comfort of your home, non-insulated garage doors can work for you.

Non-insulated garage doors are cheaper than insulated garage doors simply because they don’t use as much material. However, because they are thinner, they also look cheaper and more flimsy. They won’t offer as much protection, and they can be noisier, too.

If you live somewhere temperate and safe and you like to leave your garage door open, you may choose to opt for a non-insulated garage door. However, if safety, comfort, durability, and property value are what you’re after, you’re better off with an insulated garage door.

Insulated Vs Non-Insulated Garage Doors: Which Is Best For You?

If you have an attached garage, live somewhere with drastically varying temperatures, or where it is consistently very hot or very cold, use your garage for hobbies, keep pets in the garage, or plan to sell your home, you should opt for an insulated garage door. If you don’t have any of those considerations, you can likely get away with a non-insulated garage door. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one you are comfortable with.

Do You Have Questions About Insulated Vs Non-Insulated Garage Doors?

Here at Advanced Door, our trained experts can help you choose the right garage doors to match your needs. We offer exceptional insulated garage doors and are well-versed in the differences between insulated vs uninsulated garage doors. For any questions, please contact us today!