Energy Efficent Shop / Garage Doors
martyrg
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
Hi All,
Working up a design for a 28 x 40 shop for working on cars. The plan is to heat the building so I can work in the winter (Michigan). I’m looking to build with SIP’s on a FPS slab for maximum energy efficency. I’m looking for a good solution for the garage doors. Standard insulated roll up doors aren’t very efficent and are very leaky around the side and top jams. Anyone have a good alternative?
Marty
Replies
In Alaska I had a 10 x 12 foot overhead door, metal clad and insulated. I didn't find it drafty at all. I even had windows cut into mine. I found the need for some daylight and an outward view was necessary for my sanity. True, the R value isn't high but I figured that its a door and some things just have to be accepted. I concentrated in keeping the rest of the building energy efficient.
I would caution you to be careful in spending too much for some superinsulated but expensive door. You may never get the payback. (Especially if you end up cutting windows into it.)
Sapwood, what kind of seal was used on the door?
A vinyl or vinyl-like flap on the exterior and a brush sort of thing on the inside. There was a tubular sort of vinyl or rubber soft seal on the bottom.
I'm sure there were air leaks on that door as well as air leaks on my current doors, but they weren't really noticable. One expects some air infiltration on such a large door.
I suspect that an overhead door could be designed and built to seal perfectly. But the cost! Easier to let the furnace run now. But someday, maybe not.