It seems nowadays everyone is “going green.” And homeowners are no exception. Did you know there are simple yet effective steps you can take to conserve energy via your garage door? Here are a few:
Insulate: Insulated garage doors are an effective way to trap heat in your home and possibly reduce energy bills. It’s important to note that while many garage doors claim to be insulated, the levels of insulation vary considerably. A door with an R-value of 18 will be a much better insulator than an R-6 door.
Use recycled/renewable materials: What your garage door is made of matters. For example, wood doors are made with a renewable product. Wood composite doors combine renewable and recycled components. Some companies even offer composite doors made with 100 percent recycled wood fibers. You also can’t go wrong with steel, as most contain a fair amount of recycled material.
Coatings: Several factors in the manufacturing process, such as how paint and other finishes are applied, and how the excess finish is disposed of, can make a big difference in the door’s carbon footprint. Some manufacturers employ an eco-friendly process for applying powder-coat paint and handling the overflow and air quality.
In short, remember the actions you take today can make a difference tomorrow. Every little bit helps!