How to Insulate a Garage Door

How To Insulate A Garage Door

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Garage insulation cuts energy bills and street noise. Here’s how to insulate your garage door.

Garage door insulation can make your life warmer, cooler, and quieter. It lowers energy bills, acts as a barrier between you and street noise, and brightens an otherwise dreary space.

Garage door insulation is an easy DIY project; it’ll cost you about $200 to insulate two 9-foot-wide doors.

Types of insulation

Any insulation type will increase the energy efficiency of your garage door. Here are the most popular types to apply to the back of garage doors:

• Batt insulation. This flexible insulation, often found stuffed into exterior walls, is commonly made of fiberglass. It’s usually backed by paper or foil, which act as vapor and air barriers. Insulating values are R-3 to R-4 per inch of thickness. Cost is about 30 cents per sq. ft.

• Foam board insulation. These rigid panels, typically made from polystyrene, provide a high insulating value for relatively little thickness. Panels most often range from ½ inch thick (R-3.3) to 1 inch (R-6.5). Foam board often is faced with aluminum or vinyl. ($20 for a 4-by-8-ft. sheet that’s 1 inch thick.)

• Reflective insulation. Rigid boards and rolls of reflective insulation have highly reflective aluminum foil applied to one or both sides of insulation materials, such as cardboard and polyethylene bubbles. This type of insulation reflects radiant heat, making it a good insulation choice for garages that heat up in summer or hot climates. Its approximate R-value is 3.5 to 6, depending on the way you apply it. (A 4-by-25-foot roll is $42).

Matching insulation to your garage door

The goal is to match your garage door to an insulation that’s easy to install and appropriate for your climate.

• Steel garage doors. These doors can accommodate any type of insulation. Stuff the flexible insulation in the frames around the panels, with the fiberglass side touching the door. Or squeeze cut-to-fit foam board insulation into the frames.

Wood frame-and-panel doors. Cut and fit rigid insulation into the recesses between the door frames. For extra climate control, install two layers of foam board.

Flat garage doors. Foam board or reflective insulation is the best fit for garage doors without panels. Glue or tape the insulation to the garage door.

Insulation kits

Even though buying and cutting insulation isn’t hard, garage door insulation kits make it even easier. They contain:

• Insulation — rolls or boards -- cut closer to the size of garage panels than if you bought these yourself, though you’ll still have to trim.

• Fasteners or tape to hold insulation in place.

• Higher-end kits throw in gloves and/or a utility knife.

Kits to insulate a 9-ft. wide garage door cost $50-$70.

Heads up!

Adding insulation to a garage door adds weight. Extra weight isn’t usually a problem with 9-ft. wide doors, but can strain the opening mechanism of larger doors. Your garage door’s spring tension might have to be adjusted — a job best left to a garage door professional.

Contact your local RE/MAX  Realty Center Agent Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696, Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one. I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

To get a Free market analysis of your home visit www.waukeshacountyhomevalues.info

See you at the closing table.

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Understanding Energy Ratings for Windows and Doors

Understanding Energy Ratings for Windows and Doors

By: Karin Beuerlein

Qualifying for the $200-$500 federal tax credit on new windows and doors depends on two measurements, U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient.

Just because windows or doors are Energy Star-labeled doesn't mean they're eligible for a federal tax credit. And with costs running about $500-$1,000 per window including labor, it's wise to know something about the scientific lingo and numbers on the product labels you're likely to encounter. Here's your pro-level label-decoding guide so you can be sure you're buying qualified products.

Which Labels Matter?  

The two labels you should look for: The U.S. Department of Energy's blue-and-yellow Energy Star label, which specifies the climate zones the product is certified for, and the white National Fenestration Rating Council label. Nonprofit NFRC is the industry-recognized certifying body for windows and doors. It reports raw numbers only; Energy Star tells you whether those numbers constitute superior performance, putting its seal of approval on those products that meet its standards.

To confuse matters, DOE has issued a blue label that manufacturers can use to signify that a product qualifies for the tax credit. But DOE doesn't require that manufacturers include it.

What You Need to Get the Tax Credit

For windows or doors to qualify for the credit, two NFRC-supplied measurements must each be equal to or less than 0.3, regardless of climate: U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). You must also have the manufacturer's signed statement that the product complies with IRS requirements. This either comes with purchase or can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website.

Don't be swayed by ratings the manufacturer may post on its own label. A window or door's frame and other components (weather stripping, sidelights, transoms) can significantly affect its energy efficiency, so NFRC measures based on the entire unit, not just the window glass or door slab alone. Manufacturers, on the other hand, sometimes report values that don't take the entire unit into account, according to Energy Star.

A Guide to Measurements

The NFRC label typically lists five measurements, including the tax credit-critical U-factor and SHGC. The other three are somewhat less important to energy performance, according to Energy Star, but can help you judge how well a window or door will perform in a particular application—for example, whether it'll let in enough light. 

Where you live affects which measurements are most important, but the tax credit requirements are uniform across the country. There are four Energy Star climate zones, differentiated by whether heating, cooling, or a mix of the two is most critical to energy performance.

1. U-Factor

Range: 0.20 to 1.20

The lower the number, the better an insulator the window or door is.

Tax credit qualification requirement: 0.3 or less

Efficient Windows Collaborative climate recommendations:

• Northern: 0.35 or less 

• North Central or South Central: 0.4 or less 

• Southern: 0.60 or less

A low U-factor means that less heat escapes in the winter, which makes it particularly important in cold northern climates, according to the Collaborative, a coalition of government agencies, research organizations, and manufacturers that promote efficient window technology.

2. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

Range: 0 to 1

The lower the number, the less solar radiation—and heat—the window or door allows inside.

Tax credit qualification requirement: 0.3 or less 

EWC climate recommendations:

• Northern: The highest you can find (paired with a low U-factor) if cooling isn't a significant concern; up to 0.55 if cooling is a significant concern.

• North Central: 0.4 or less for climates with significant air conditioning; up to 0.55 for climates with moderate air conditioning.

• South Central or Southern: 0.4 or less.

SHGC refers to the solar radiation a window or door allows inside. Seek the lowest possible SHGC rating in warm climates to minimize the use of air conditioning. Look for a slightly higher number in cooler climates so that the sun can help heat your home in winter, but be sure to balance SHGC with an efficient U-factor for your area.

3. Visible Transmittance 

Range: 0 to 1

Lower number means the room will be dimmer; a higher number means the room will be brighter.

Tax credit qualification requirement: none 

This number applies to windows or doors with windows only. Visible transmittance is the amount of light a window allows to pass through. With older window glazing techniques, VT and solar heat gain were basically the same; the brighter a room, the hotter it got. But new technologies allow windows to let in lots of light while the room stays cool. 

Consult VT numbers if you're looking to reduce glare in a room or fill it with natural light, but be warned that a very low VT may mean you have to use artificial lighting even during the day.

4. Air Leakage

Range: N/A, but .0.3 is standard building code

The lower the number, the more airtight the window or door.

Tax credit qualification requirement: none

This number, expressed in cubic feet per minute per square foot of window/door area, represents the amount of air that the window or door's frame allows to pass through. Energy Star standards don't consider air leakage because it's difficult to measure accurately and can change over time as frame materials expand, contract, or warp in place, according to the EWC. Still, this measurement can help you compare similar products, especially if they'll be buffeted by the elements.

5. Condensation Resistance

Range: 1 to 100

The lower the number, the more condensation the window or door allows to build up.

Tax credit qualification requirement: none  

Condensation resistance is a measure of how much moisture a window or door allows to build up on the surface (which can drip onto wood and cause mold or discoloration) or between glazing layers (which can't be clean and blocks your view). Energy Star-rated windows tend to resist condensation well, so this number won't likely affect your purchase decision.

Before Buying New Windows

You can recoup 78.7% of the project cost for midrange vinyl replacement windows, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report.

But before you buy, check out these articles for more info:

What You Need to Know About Buying Energy Efficient Windows

Repairing Windows May Be the Smarter Option

Contact your local RE/MAX  Realty Center Agent Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696, Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one. I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

To get a Free market analysis of your home visit www.waukeshacountyhomevalues.info

See you at the closing table.

Read more: http://members.houselogic.com/articles/understanding-energy-ratings-for-windows-and-doors/preview/#ixzz3KfXvMwjs

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Holiday Train Comes to Hartland

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Comes to Hartland, Wisconsin 2014

Posted by Melissa Peterson On November 03, 2014 0 Comment

The Holiday Train arrives at approximately 8:40 pm, December 7 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm, with a FREE half hour set of musical entertainment from a boxcar! Arrive early for premium parking and join the family fun.

Appearances by Santa
Free mini-train rides courtesy of Canadian Pacific boarding at Hartland Meadows beginning at 7:00 pm
Free Elf Glow Wand with monetary donation to food pantry courtesy of Hartland Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring businesses
Free music from the Holiday Train performers

Please remember to bring non-perishable food donations for the Food Pantry!!!!

Other Wisconsin stops on the 2014 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train:

December 7th, 2014

5:20 pm, Sturtevant, 9900 East Exploration Ct., Amtrak Depot,  ​Home Free and Kira Isabella

​Arrive 6:50 pm, Show at 7:15 pm, Milwaukee, 433 West St. Paul Avenue, Amtrak Depot , Home Free and Kira Isabella
​​8:45 pm, Hartland, ​Parking lot adjacent to Cottonwood Avenue and Pawling Avenue , ​Home Free and Kira Isabella
​​10:30 pm, * 15 minute Stop N’ Go, Columbus ​Amtrak Depot, ​​Home Free and Kira Isabella

December 8th, 2014
​ ​1:15 pm, Portage ​400 West Oneida Street, Amtrak Station  ​​Home Free and Kira Isabella
​​2:45 pm, Wisconsin Dells ​100 La Crosse Street, Amtrak Depot   ​​Home Free and Kira Isabella
​4:15 pm, Mauston ​Division Street railway crossing ​ ​​​Home Free and Kira Isabella
​ ​5:30 pm, Tomah ​205 North Superior Avenue, Amtrak Depot ​ ​​Home Free and Kira Isabella
​6:40 pm, Sparta ​Corner of South Water Street and Milwaukee Street ​ ​ ​​Home Free and Kira Isabella
​​9:00 pm, Lacrosse ​601 Saint Andrew Street   ​​Home Free and Kira Isabella

Contact your local RE/MAX  Realty Center Agent Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696, Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one. I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

To get a Free market analysis of your home visit www.waukeshacountyhomevalues.info

See you at the closing table.

Bathtub Party Day

Bathtub Party Day

Bathtub Party Day is today. Draw yourself a tub full of warm water. Add a few bath oil beads, and Voila! You're ready to hop in and "soak it" in the bathtub. Ahh, how soothing and relaxing!

Don't let anything disturb the peace, quiet, and serenity of your bath. Turn off your cell phone. Put on your favorite CDs to a volume where you can't hear the doorbell ring.

Did you know? Bathtub Party Day is a copyrighted holiday. It was created and is provided, courtesy of the great folks at  Wellcat.com

Have a happy Bathtub Party Day.

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Recipe of the Day:

May we suggest: Zucchini Nut Bread

Also See: Holiday Recipes and Pumpkin Recipes Galore

Contact your local RE/MAX  Realty Center Agent Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696, Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one. I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

To get a Free market analysis of your home visit www.waukeshacountyhomevalues.info

See you at the closing table.

Why Rent When You Could Own This Home. $69,000.00

Cute Starter Home on huge lot. 3 bedrooms 1 bath with a rec room in the lower level 2+ garage plus a sizable shed. Nice Fruit Trees room for a nice garden. Act Fast.   

Contact your local RE/MAX  Realty Center Agent Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696, Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one. I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

To get a Free market analysis of your home visit www.waukeshacountyhomevalues.info

See you at the closing table.