TECHNICAL TIPS
Myths about Garage Door Thermal Performance
By Joe Hetzel, DASMA Technical Director

The thermal performance of garage doors is attracting the attention of others outside our industry.

For example, the thermal performance of garage doors and other types of doors is now being studied by the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Also, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) recently incorporated garage door provisions into two of its standards. This was done essentially without input from the garage door industry.

Besides these non-industry developments, a new DASMA garage door certification program, launched earlier this year, includes garage door thermal performance (R-value and U-factor) among the label’s ratings.

The increased attention to this subject makes it important to separate some myths from truths about garage door thermal performance.

Five Common Myths

Myth: The federal government has mandated specific garage door thermal performance ratings.
Truth: There is no federal mandate. Garage door thermal ratings are optional and are usually provided because of market demands or job specifications.

Myth: The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is to rate every exterior product for thermal performance, including all garage doors.
Truth: The mission of the DOE is to advance energy security and to promote innovation in support of that mission. The DOE has no specific mission or activity regarding garage doors.

Myth: Garage door manufacturers can only go to the NFRC to label their products for thermal performance.
Truth: Other agencies can label garage door products. The new DASMA garage door certification program is a good example. Intertek Testing Services has also recently rolled out a thermal performance program for window and door products.

Myth: Garage door manufacturers are required to obtain third-party certification for the thermal performance ratings (i.e. R-value and U-factor) they publish.
Truth: Currently, garage door manufacturers can self-certify their published thermal performance ratings.

Myth: Accurate garage door thermal performance can be determined by a simple calculation, without testing.
Truth: To our knowledge, the only way to currently determine accurate garage door thermal performance is by testing. And the proper test standard for determining garage door thermal performance is ANSI/DASMA 105.

DASMA continues to participate in the development of various codes, standards, and technical activities that may change the process of determining garage door thermal performance. This magazine will continue to keep you abreast of the latest developments in this important field.