There are quite a few Garage Door Insulation products on the market today, and deciding which one to buy can be very confusing.
Many technical terms make it challenging to understand which one is best for you.
In this review, we will explain the difference between each one in layman’s terms so you can make an informed decision before purchasing.
There are a few essential features of garage door insulation that you should consider to help you choose the right one.
Below are the features that should guide you in making a decision.
Garage Door Insulation Price
The garage door installation cost seems important when buying it. Still, when you consider it lasts for up to 20 years, you realise the price of garage door insulation is the last factor you need to consider.
You can see below that the KoolDoor product is the most expensive, but over 20 years, the difference is only $3 per year.
Polystyrene by Foam Sales$260
| PRODUCT TYPE | Cost |
|---|---|
| PIR by Kooldoor | $640 |
| 0007 Radiant Barrier foil | $415 |
| Reflecta-GDI by Green Insulation | $189 |
These costs are based on a standard 16 panel double door.
Garage Door Insulation Thermal Rating
The Thermal Rating of the garage door insulation is important to explain how much of the heat is reflected off the door.
The higher the number, the better the performance.
| PRODUCT TYPE | Thermal Rating |
|---|---|
| PIR by Kooldoor | R1.75+Reflective surface |
| Polystyrene by Foam Sales | R1.1 – This product would only rate at R1.1 if it were 40mm but most polystyrene products are not 40mm |
| 0007 Radiant Barrier foil | Reflective surface |
| Reflecta-GDI by Green Insulation | R0.2+Reflective surface |
You can see there that KoolDoor is the clear winner with a thermal rating of 1.75. That’s 0.3 better than its nearest competitor.
Garage Door Insulation Thickness
Generally, the thicker the product, the better, but it won’t fit into the door if it is too thick.
The type of material also determines the effectiveness of the thermal rating.
So a 35mm thick polystyrene product is not as good as a 35mm thick PIR product when it comes to thermal rating.
The thickness of the KoolDoor is at 35mm thick, and has a higher thermal rating, it is a far superior product.
| PRODUCT TYPE | Thickness |
|---|---|
| PIR by Kooldoor | 35mm |
| Polystyrene by Foam Sales | 40mm(some are less than 40mm & performance reduces prorata) |
| 0007 Radiant Barrier foil | <0.1mm |
| Reflecta-GDI by Green Insulation | 10mm |
Garage Door Insulation Weight
When you consider the average standard double garage door weighs on average 180Kg, the difference in added weight of each of the products is negligible and shouldn’t become a factor in your decision.
| PRODUCT TYPE | Weight |
|---|---|
| PIR by Kooldoor | 13kg |
| Polystyrene by Foam Sales | 7kg |
| 0007 Radiant Barrier foil | 4kg |
| Reflecta-GDI by Green Insulation | 5kg |
Garage Door Insulation Fire Performance
There is no fire rating required in a garage door. No company is obliged to have a specific minimum rating.
So each company has used a rating system that probably makes their product look good.
It’s almost impossible to fairly compare each fire rating on each product because they are all sourced differently.
This is why Australian standards, when enforced, are good for the consumer.
The PIR system used by KoolDoor is used in commercial construction and is a superior product to the other products. That is why when it comes to FIre Performance, KoolDoor is the clear winner.
| PRODUCT TYPE | Fire Performance |
|---|---|
| PIR by Kooldoor | High (PIR Group rated product) |
| Polystyrene by Foam Sales | Low |
| 0007 Radiant Barrier foil | Medium |
| Reflecta-GDI by Green Insulation | Medium |
Garage Door Insulation Water Resistance
Once again there is no set standard for water resistance in garage door insulation. We don’t like polystyrene-based products because they are banned in most countries as they take 5000 years to down and are not good for the environment.
The KoolDoor product is Closed Cell and will not absorb water.
The Foam Sales is Open Cell product and will absorb water.
The Radiant Barrier and Green Insulation products also both won’t absorb water.
| PRODUCT TYPE | Water Resistance |
|---|---|
| PIR by Kooldoor | Closed cell will not absorb water |
| Polystyrene by Foam Sales | open cell will absorb water |
| 0007 Radiant Barrier foil | will not absorb water |
| Reflecta-GDI by Green Insulation | will not absorb water |
Garage Door Insulation Appearance
It is important that the insulation looks excellent in the door as it will always be visible. The KoolDoor products both look great. The other products don’t enhance the look of your garage door but detract from it.
| PRODUCT TYPE | Appearance |
|---|---|
| PIR by Kooldoor | Clean white embosed foil surface looks good & strong |
| Polystyrene by Foam Sales | White bear polystyrene surface easly damaged or marked |
| 0007 Radiant Barrier foil | Bear foil finish looks industrial |
| Reflecta-GDI by Green Insulation | Bear foil finish looks industrial |
Our Opinion on the Best Garage Door Insulation
Based on the data presented above the KoolDoor garage door insulation is far superior than the other products on the market.
Over the lifespan of the insulation KoolDoor only costs an extra $3/per.
Because it is better to keep the heat out in winter and the heat in during winter in, it doesn’t absorb water, it has a higher fire rating, and it looks great. It is the best choice.
If you want to speak to one of our experts and have any questions answered. Call us now on 1300 373839.
1 thought on “Top Garage Door Insulation Products Reviewed”
In this case “BEAR” is spelt “BARE”. I know this is a little nit picking especially as I am one of the worst spellers ever. Other than that BS this is an exceptionally informative article THANK YOU.