How to Replace Garage Door Insulation Panels?

Having an insulated garage door can make a big difference in keeping your garage warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulation helps prevent outside air from entering your garage, which can save energy and money on heating and cooling costs. Over time, garage door insulation can become damaged or degraded, reducing its effectiveness. Replacing worn-out insulation panels is an easy DIY project that you can tackle in an afternoon.

Why Replace Garage Door Insulation?

There are a few signs that indicate it’s time to replace the insulation panels on your garage door:

Visible damage – If the insulation is torn, cracked, or falling apart, it needs to be replaced. Damaged insulation allows outside air to penetrate into your garage.
Moisture damage – Exposure to moisture can cause garage door insulation to degrade over time. If the insulation feels damp or has dark water stains, replacement is needed.
Draftiness – If you feel cold drafts coming into your garage from the overhead door, the insulation may be compromised. Drafts mean the insulation is no longer effectively sealing out outside air.
Higher energy bills – Poorly insulating garage doors can significantly increase heating and cooling costs. If your energy bills seem excessive, faulty insulation could be the culprit.

Replacing deteriorated insulation sooner rather than later is recommended. The longer you wait, the more energy you’ll waste heating and cooling your garage. Even if your insulation looks okay, it can’t hurt to replace it every 10-15 years for optimal efficiency.

Garage Door Insulation Options

When selecting new garage door insulation, you have a couple of options:

Polyurethane Foam Boards

Polyurethane foam boards are the most common type of insulation used on garage doors. Foam boards consist of rigid polyurethane foam laminated between two layers of aluminum foil or paper. The foil facing gives the insulation panels structural rigidity.

Polyurethane foam offers an R-value of around R-6 per inch, making it very effective at stopping heat transfer. Standard foam board thickness is 1/2″, providing an R-value of R-3. For colder climates, 3/4″ or 1″ thick boards can provide even higher insulation levels.

Polyurethane insulation panels are lightweight, easy to cut and install, and relatively affordable. They come in 4×8 or 4×9 foot sheet sizes.

Polystyrene Insulation Boards

Another option is rigid polystyrene (Styrofoam) insulation panels. Extruded polystyrene (XPS) boards have an R-value of R-5 per inch. They are moisture-resistant and hold up well over time.

Polystyrene insulation is lightweight and comes in precut easy-to-install kits custom sized for standard garage doors. Kits include tape for attaching the insulation to the door. Polystyrene typically costs a little more than polyurethane foam.

Fiberglass Batt Insulation

Some homeowners use fiberglass batt insulation, typically used with kraft paper or foil. Fiberglass provides an R-value of around R-3 per inch.

The downside to fiberglass is that it lacks rigidity and needs additional structural support. Installation takes more time since the batts must be cut to fit the garage door panels. Fiberglass insulation works best when installed behind a finished wall or ceiling, rather than directly on a garage door.

For ease of installation and maximum insulation value, polyurethane foam boards are usually the top choice for garage door applications. Let’s look at how to install new foam board insulation on an overhead garage door.

Removing the Old Insulation

Before installing fresh insulation panels, you first need to take down the existing damaged insulation. Removing old garage door insulation is a quick process:

Materials Needed

Utility knife
Wire cutters
Scraper
Protective eyewear
Work gloves

Steps to Remove Insulation:

Fully open the overhead garage door to access the insulation panels.
Wearing protective eyewear and gloves for safety, use the utility knife to cut through any tape or adhesive holding the old insulation in place. The insulation should be attached to the door with small nails or staples.
Use the wire cutters to clip the nails or staples. Try to remove fasteners without damaging the door itself.
Gently pry off each insulation panel. A scraper can help loosen panels that have become stuck to the door over time.
Peel off any remaining fasteners or adhesive residue using the scraper.
Sweep off any debris from the garage door in preparation for the new insulation.
Carefully bring down the overhead door and close it to get ready for the new panel installation.

With the old insulation removed, you now have a clean slate for the new insulation.

How to Install New Garage Door Insulation

Installing fresh foam board insulation panels is straightforward. Carefully attaching the panels ensures they provide superior garage door insulation for years to come.

Materials Needed

Polyurethane foam insulation panels
Tin snips or sharp utility knife
Caulk gun
Exterior panel adhesive
1″ galvanized roofing nails
Hammer
Scrap wood block

Steps for Installing Insulation:

Fully raise the garage door again to access the inside. Sweep out any remaining debris for a clean surface.
Measure the height and width of each garage door panel. Cut your foam boards 1-2″ smaller than the panel dimensions. This prevents the insulation from being seen from the outside. Use tin snips or a sharp utility knife to neatly cut the boards.
Apply a bead of panel adhesive around the borders of the door panel. Stay in about 1/2″ from the edge.
Place the cut foam board over the center of the door panel and press it firmly into the adhesive.
Using 1″ galvanized nails and a hammer, drive nails through the insulation into the door panel every 6 inches around the perimeter. This secures the board in place while the adhesive dries.
In the field of the foam board, nail on a 12″ x 12″ grid pattern. This prevents the insulation from sagging over time.
Use scrap wood when hammering to avoid damaging the foam. The wood spreads the hammer force.
Repeat steps to adhere insulation boards to all of the garage door panels, cutting boards to fit each section.
After nailing up the final board, lower the garage door and allow several hours for the adhesive to fully cure before using.

With fresh insulation panels installed, your garage door will once again provide energy-efficient protection from the elements outside. Professional installation can cost $3-5 per square foot, but doing it yourself saves considerable money with minimal time and effort.

Insulation Tips and Tricks

Follow these handy tips when replacing or installing new garage door insulation:

Seal all edges – Caulk around the borders of the insulation panels with exterior sealant. This helps block drafts from entering at the edges.
Weatherstrip the exterior – Ensure weatherstripping around the garage door perimeter is intact. Replace if it’s damaged to prevent air infiltration.
Insulate the access door – Don’t forget the garage access door! Use rigid foam boards around the door frame for maximum insulation.
Consider adding insulation to the garage door itself for increased efficiency. Specialty kits allow you to adhere rigid foam boards to the inside of the actual door.
Metal or fiberglass garage doors have lower insulation values than wood doors. Attach magnetic vinyl door insulation sheets to the exterior of metal doors in cold weather.
Inspect the boards occasionally for any damage and re-adhering loose edges as needed.
When building a new home or replacing a insualted garage door, choose an insulated model for ultimate energy savings.

Following proper installation techniques and maintaining the insulation ensures your garage remains comfortable year-round.

Conclusion

Replacing damaged or degraded garage door insulation is a simple yet highly effective way to increase the energy efficiency of your garage. Rigid polyurethane foam insulation boards provide excellent thermal performance when correctly installed. Removing old insulation takes just a few simple steps. Measuring the door panels, cutting the boards to size, adhering them properly, and adding weatherstripping ensures your new insulation provides superior insulation against drafts from the elements outside. With an afternoon of effort, you can seal up your garage and start benefitting from a more comfortable and cost-effective space.

FAQs

How long does garage door insulation last?

With proper installation, polyurethane foam insulation boards can last 10-15 years before needing replacement. Visual inspections for damage help determine when it’s time for new insulation.

Should garage door insulation be installed on the inside or outside?

Insulation is normally installed on the inside of the garage door. This protects the insulation from weather damage. Outdoor installation is mainly limited to vinyl magnetic sheets on metal doors.

What R-value is best for garage doors?

Most experts recommend an R-value between R-8 and R-12 for garage door insulation. Common 1/2″ polyurethane boards provide around R-6, while thicker boards give R-10 or greater.

Can I install insulation on a Wayne Dalton TorqueMaster spring garage door?

No, these unique counterbalance spring garage doors have springs inside the door itself, so insulation cannot be applied. Only professional door modifications can increase insulation.

Should I glue and fasten the insulation to the garage door?

Proper adhesion is important, so use panel adhesive and galvanized nails spaced every 6-12 inches to securely fasten the insulation foam boards. This prevents sagging, separation, and wind damage.

Can I install vinyl garage door insulation myself?

Yes, magnetic vinyl insulation sheets specifically made for garage doors come in easy-to-install kits. Simply cut the sheets to size and attach them to metal exterior doors according to the product instructions.

Properly installing new, quality garage door insulation is the best way to maximize energy efficiency and savings. With the right materials and proper technique, this straightforward DIY project can be tackled in just an afternoon. And keeping your garage comfortable throughout the year makes the effort well worthwhile.