What an insulated garage door does
B&D says insulation helps keep the garage cooler in summer and warmer in winter. That counts most when the garage is part of the living space: a laundry, a home gym, a workshop or a bedroom above.
It cuts noise too. B&D says an insulated sectional door can reduce external noise by 18dB, about double the reduction of its standard uninsulated Panelift door, citing an independent Acoustic Logic test.
B&D's insulation has a graphite-infused EPS core, and B&D says it makes the door physically thicker and stronger.
Garage door insulation the makers list
| What it is | Which doors | |
|---|---|---|
| B&D insulation | Graphite-infused EPS core, listed as Insul-Shield in B&D's sectional guide | All B&D sectional doors except Storm-Shield |
| Steel-Line standard insulation | Fitted into the back of the panels, with brush seals recommended | All standard Steel-Line sectional doors |
| Steel-Line Mammoth Modern Insulation | Recycled polyester fibre with a thermal value of R1.09, by Steel-Line's figure | Steel-Line's insulated door range |
| Steel-Line polycarbonate multiwall door | Layers that trap air, and let diffused light through | Steel-Line Custom Collection |
Insulated roller doors and insulation panels
Both B&D and Steel-Line describe insulation as an option across their sectional ranges. If you have a roller door, ask the door specialist what your model can take, or whether a sectional door suits the opening better.
Gluing insulation panels onto an existing door is a different job. Steel-Line says spring forces are generally equal to the door's weight, so anything that adds weight to the door upsets that balance. Have a door specialist check the springs after any change like this, and never adjust them yourself.
Seals matter as much as the panels
An insulated panel only helps if the edges close up. B&D says its Panelift Icon has 360° perimeter seals to help keep out leaves and dust, which its standard Panelift does not. Steel-Line's roller doors have a PVC weather seal in the aluminium bottom rail and an optional brush seal for the side guides.
Looking after an insulated door
- Wash the panels regularly: Steel-Line's manual says it clears corrosive salt and dirt.
- Keep grease off the tracks, which Steel-Line says attracts dirt and dust.
- Look at the seals at each service and point out any that are torn or flattened.
- Keep up the servicing the warranty asks for, since both B&D and Steel-Line tie their cover to it.
What we would do
If the garage is a room you live in, ask for the insulation and the perimeter seals as one job. Insulated panels with gaps around them still leak heat and noise, which is why Steel-Line pairs its insulation with brush seals.