Hey if you are looking for a new garage door, instead of thinking about insulating your old one, there are a lot of choices out there now. Not only can you save some green by being green 
but their is even a government program that will pay you cash for upgrading your garage door.
No, really – If you pick a model that qualifies, you can get a homeowners tax credit that can be a much as 30% of the cost of your new insulated garage door! Here are some program details:
- The door has to be installed and be being used between now and the end of the year
- They don’t figure in the cost of the door installation, just the materials
- Your tax credit is 30% of all of your energy saving modifications you put in your home during 2009 and 2010
- There is a max – $1500.00
- U-factor and solar heat gain specs make a difference. Be sure to check and make sure your door qualifies
- Residential doors only – sorry, the overhead door for your business doesn’t make the cut
- You have to insulate the garage too
- You have to have garage door seals in place as well – otherwise, what’s the point?
- You have to expect to use the door for 5 years (duh – who would go thru the hassle and pull it out after 4?)
Insulated Garage Door
The big dog in this marketplace right now is a company called Clopay, and their Premium insulated garage doors have alternating layers of polyurethane foam and steel. In between each sandwich layer is yet another thermal break to stop heat conduction – from either direction. You can expect these doors to keep your garage cool in the summer and warm (or at least warmer) in the winter. The R value on these things is R-17. This is really high for a garage door, and beats a lot of walls.
Now, these doors aren’t cheap, but there is the tax credit, so that will help. If you don’t think you are quite up to insulating your old garage door, and you have the cash on hand to do it, this is a good option.
