What is R-Value & Why It Matters When Buying a Garage Door

Published on April 18, 2022

R-value is a significant factor that determines the garage door’s quality and performance. What is R-value, and why home and business owners should pay more attention to this factor when purchasing a new garage door?

In this post, you will find helpful information explaining the importance of R-value and the various types.

What is R-Value?

The R-value is a measure of the thermal resistance of a significant product. It determines the product’s ability (for example, a garage door) to resist heat transfer. In addition, the greater the R-value, the better the resistance to heat and the insulating effect, which leads to higher energy savings.

When choosing the right door for your garage, material and quality aren’t the only factors that count;  the R-value is crucial.

Three Types of Garage Door R-Value

Typically, the garage door R-value ranges from 1.5 to 7. Within the R-value, three types serve to measure and determine heat flow resistance variables, including:

• The Up R-Value – The up or winter R-value measures the insulation’s ability to withstand heat from escaping the garage. People refer to this as the winter R-value because, during the winter months, you want to keep the heat inside the garage.
• The Down R-Value – The down R-value measures the insulation’s ability to withstand heat from entering the garage. People refer to the down R-value as the summer R-value because, during the summer months, you want to keep the heat out of the garage.
• The Total R-Value – The total R-value combines the up and down values.

Best R-Value Insulation for Your Garage

Now that you know how to answer, “What is R-value?” you may wonder how to determine the ideal R-value for you. While it sounds simple to determine the best R-value insulation for your garage (logically, it will be the highest R-value), it doesn’t work that way. Although any insulation with a higher R-value is more effective than the one with a lower R-value, a higher R-value isn’t always the best option for your garage.

Different regions across Canada have different climates, with each area requiring a different minimum R-value. For example, garages in highly humid and hot environments require a minimum R-value of 3 or 4, while garages in alpine climates need a minimum R-value of 6

When purchasing a new garage door, talk to the representative and ask for professional assistance regarding the best option for your region. An experienced commercial or residential garage door provider should be able to explain the benefits of R-value insulation and help choose the ideal door for your needs.

What R-Value for Garage Do You Need: Get Professional Help

Richards-Wilcox Landmark Garage Doors feature models with R-Values of R12 and R18.

The best R-value for a garage is the one that suits your needs, your property, and the environment’s unique conditions. At Richards-Wilcox in Mississauga, ON, we pride ourselves on our long history of premium doors for different purposes and properties. So, whether you need quality residential or sturdy commercial garage doors, we are the right partner for you.

Now that you know “What is R-value” and its importance, let our experts help you find the perfect door for your garage needs. Contact us today at 1(800) 667-1572 to schedule a consultation.