Keep These Numbers In Mind When You Buy A Garage Door
It can be fun to assess the many garage door colors, styles, and features when you shop for this type of door for your home. While you should take your time to choose a door that looks exactly how you want it to look, there are some other things that are critical to think about. These things might not be quite as exciting as the appearance of the door, but taking them into account when you shop will ensure that you end up with a door that makes you happy. Here are three numbers that you should keep in mind as you evaluate different garage doors.
R-Value
R-value is a term that describes a garage door's insulation level. You'll see this number on a door's description information after the letter "R." For example, a garage door may have an R-value of R-8 or R-16. A higher number means that a garage door offers better insulation. In the preceding example, an R-16 garage door has more insulation than an R-8 door. Insulation is important because you want the door to prevent exterior heat or cold from entering the garage and changing its temperature. If you live somewhere hot, you want a high R-value so that hot air doesn't get into your garage and elevate the temperature of this space.
Weight
You should also look to see the weight, in pounds, of any garage door that you're thinking about buying. A few different factors can influence the weight of a door, including its material and thickness. While there are lots of advantages of heavier materials such as wood — including their appearance — there can also be drawbacks for some people. If you plan to operate your door manually, you might favor something that has a lighter weight. If you plan to buy an opener, you'll need to ensure that it's strong enough to lift the weight of the door that you choose.
Warranty
Most garage doors have a warranty that can range in duration based on the manufacturer and even on the type of door itself. It's important to always look for how many years your garage door will be under warranty. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong with your door in the future, it's a comforting feeling to have selected a product that has a lengthy warranty. Keep each of these numbers in mind as you evaluate different doors so that you can choose the best one for your home.