Tax time is fast approaching and we all want to have the most credits or deductions as possible this year. One of the best ways to save money now and benefit in your tax credits and deductions is to do home improvements that will save you money in energy costs now and get you the tax credit you deserve. One of the best ways to conserve energy is to make sure that your garage door is properly insulated. You wouldn’t think that insulting something as obvious as the garage door would make a difference, but it does. There are a few different types of insulation available that are reasonably priced and require minimal tools and just a Saturday morning to install.
The most common types of garage door insulation are:
- Reflective foil insulation
- Insulation panels
Reflective foil insulation comes in a kit and installs with a utility knife, adjustable wrench and cleaning supplies. This type of insulation will not qualify you for a federal tax credit for energy efficiency but will reduce heat loss, air leakage and outside noise. The insulation does look like large sheets of aluminum foil placed on the inside of the garage door so it does not give as much of a finished look as the panels. There are two types of insulation offered in the foil type. One is the single foil insulation which is two layers of air bubble film between a layer of aluminum foil and a layer of white vinyl. The second one is two layers of air bubble film sandwiched between two layers of aluminum foil. This type of insulation is adequate for insulating the garage door and will show immediate results after installation.
Panel garage door insulation can be purchased in two different formats. There are fiberglass panels which resist corrosion, mold and bacteria growth. The major manufacturer is Owens Corning and this type of insulation will qualify you for a federal energy tax credit. The second type of panel garage door insulation is foam insulation. This insulation has a plastic facer that is laminated making it durable and easily. The panels are precut to fit inside the channels of the garage door frame. The result from using a garage door insulation kit is a flush, clean look to the garage door. The added weight of these kits will not effect operation of the garage door.
An insulated garage door not only saves you money but adds value to your home and provides you the comfort you need when using the garage.
