Garage Door R-Value Explained: What Importers Need to Know

R-value is the number your North American buyers will ask about first. Here's what it means, what's actually behind the number, and which level to order.

What R-value measures

R-value measures resistance to heat flow — higher means better insulation. A non-insulated single-steel door is around R-0 to R-3. Our insulated sectional doors range from R-9 to R-16 depending on panel thickness and foam type.

Polyurethane vs. polystyrene

Two foams dominate the market, and they're not equal:

• Polyurethane (injected): fills the panel completely, bonds to the steel skins, adds rigidity. Higher R-value per inch (roughly R-6.5/inch). This is what premium doors use.
• Polystyrene (laid-in boards): cheaper, cut to fit between the skins. Lower R-value per inch (roughly R-4/inch) and can leave gaps.

When a quote seems too cheap for its claimed R-value, check which foam is inside — that's usually where the difference hides.

What your market expects

• Northern US / Canada: R-12 to R-16 is the standard expectation for residential.
• Southern US: R-9 to R-12 sells well; buyers care more about heat reflection and price.
• Europe: buyers think in U-values (W/m²K) instead — our 50mm PU panels achieve ~1.0 W/m²K.
• Middle East: insulation matters less than heat and dust sealing; focus budget on finish durability.

What to specify in your order

Don't just write "insulated door" on the PO. Specify: panel thickness (40/50mm), foam type (injected polyurethane), and the target R-value — then verify it in the spec sheet before production. We list all three on every quote so there's no ambiguity.