Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 16, 1999 08:22am | #1

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   you dont need nor want a vapor barrier on a steel paneled garage door. regular styrofoam panels should suffice when cut to size. Maybe try some iso board even.

   Bear in mind that it is a garage, not a house. don't get carried away reading all the insulation/vapor barrier/r-value/gravity's effect on air molecules postings on here.

   Best regards,
   Pete Draganic

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 16, 1999 09:28am | #2

   *You should probably check your local building code...most of the solid foam boards are not allowed to be "left in the open"...they must be enclosed behind at least 5/8" sheetrock, since they are flamable. Do you ever open this garage door? I have a basement workshop, & the bay that my shop is in is never opened. Only the bay my wife keeps her car in is ever opened. If you never open it, why not take out the door & frame & insulate it properly?If you want to keep the door, I have seen this foil-faced bubble wrap (like the packing material) which I believe is designed for ductwork, but it might be flexible enough for an opening garage door. You should also make sure the seams (along the edges, bottom & top) are well sealed with rubber flanges of some sort.As an aside, I don't think the foil layer is meant as a vapor barrier. Solid foam board has a "closed-cell" structure, which does not allow moisture to pass through it. Rather, the foil is meant as a "heat mirror", reflecting heat away from it. The foil increases the R-value/inch, or so they say.

2. 
   Chad_Sutter | Jan 27, 1999 01:13am | #3

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   Marty (and others),

   Commercial steel garage doors are insulated with rigid foam (bead-board or extruded polystyrene) and covered with sheet metal face panels skins). This gives the thermal values and covers the highly flamable foam products. The skin can be screwed or riveted into place and the door will actually by functional, too. I'd also invest in quality seals for the head, jambs and bottom rail. Consider using the brush seals on the edges and a large neoprene or silicone seal on the bottom.

   Another item is if you have glazed areas; you can replace the (typical) single glazing with a more efficient multi-pane thermal glazing unit.

   Have fun.

3. 
   Marty_R | Jan 27, 1999 01:13am | #4

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   Im insulating my garage shop, and Im trying to find the best way to insulate a 16x8 steel 4 panel roll up garage door How about cutting up those solid foam 4x8 panels with plastic skin on both sides? Would the foil sided ones be better as a vapor barrier. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance guys. Marty