It’s February, it’s the Midwest and it’s cold outside. Last year, the average temperature this month was 27.1 degrees, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If your commercial space features large garage doors, you’re probably fighting a losing battle between keeping your space warm and your utility bill, that is unless you have an insulated commercial garage door.

Insulated commercial garage doors, like Overhead Door’s Thermacore^® Series, offer the highest levels of thermal efficiency, air infiltration and wind load resistance. Insulated doors maintain high R-value performance not just in winter, but summer too.

What’s R-Value?

R-value is a term typically used in the construction industry to rate the “effectiveness of insulation in stopping heat flow opposite of conductance.” The higher the R-value the greater the insulating properties of the commercial garage door.

Keep in mind, the R-value can fluctuate based on the methods of manufacturing, like the materials used. For example, one manufacturer may rate a commercial garage door at R-18 and another might rate a similar door at R-20. Both doors might offer the same level of insulation but the R-factor differs due to how the door is made. 

Overhead Door Corporation uses a calculated door section R-value for our insulated doors. We have several door styles to meet your insulated door needs for both residential and commercial applications.

What is U-Value?

Another thermal measurement is U-value and U-Factor. U-value is the measure of the flow of heat through an insulating or building material. The lower the U-value, the better the insulating ability. U-value is the inverse of R-value.

The installed U-Factor is a tested value of actual energy loss, whether heat or cold, of an insulated commercial garage door. The lower the number the lower the energy loss and therefore the better the thermal performance. U-factor will vary between 0.66 and 1.00 depending on the garage door’s finish and color selection. For best U-factor, choose a finish and color with high solar reflectance (bright colors).

Varieties of Insulated Commercial Garage Doors

Overhead Door’s Thermacore commercial garage doors are designed with thermal breaks between internal and external skins, PVC thermal break and joint seals minimize air infiltration and provide one of the highest thermal efficiency ratings in the industry for specified applications.

• Thermacore^® Wind Load Insulated Sectional Steel Doors are engineered to withstand higher design pressure than our other Thermacore^® models.
  
  
• Extra Heavy Duty Thermacore^® Insulated Sectional Steel Doors feature one of the best overall air infiltration ratings in the industry – as well as a Class 26 sound transmission rating. Ideal for heavy-duty applications where both thermal efficiency and sound suppression are desirable.
  
  
• Heavy Duty Thermacore^® Insulated Sectional Steel Doors meet or exceed almost any thermally efficient application requirement. These heavy-duty doors fit a wide range of opening sizes and the spectrum of applications. The models available in the Heavy Duty line feature a thermal barrier that withstands extremely hot or cold climates along with some of the best overall air infiltration ratings in the industry.
  
  
• Medium Duty Thermacore^® Insulated Sectional Steel Doors feature a ribbed, textured surface that offers both energy efficiency and attractiveness. This variety comes with wood-grain textured exteriors.
  
  
• Light Duty Thermacore^® Insulated Sectional Steel Doors are well-built doors that provide a higher level of thermal protection than standard insulated doors. These doors are a good choice for projects where economy and energy efficiency are equally important. 

If you’re tired of watching your profits escape out your flimsy commercial garage door, call Overhead Door of Sioux City™ or Overhead Door of Yankton™ and ask about our line of Thermacore commercial garage doors. They’ll protect your business during both the coldest and warmest months.