With decades of combined experience covering the latest news, reviewing the greatest gear, and advising you on your next car purchase, The Drive, is the leading authority on all things automotive.

The Drive  and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.

In addition to storing cars, a garage can be a craft room, an office, or even a storage space. What it shouldn't be is drafty, humid, noisy, and full of outdoor creatures. Did you know you can get even more use out of your garage without spending a lot of money? In this buying guide we include several garage door insulation products that are worth considering.

Owens Corning Garage Door Insulation Kit

US Energy Reflective Foam Core Insulation Roll

Matador Garage Door Insulation Kit for 8-Foot Tall Door

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

Most of the garage door insulation panels you’ll find come in a pre-packaged kit. Each kit specifies how many panels are included and what size garage door they fit. Panels can come in a variety of colors and material types, from white and reflective silver to foam core and fiberglass. Some kits include adhesive as well.

The majority of garage door insulation kits and roll-up bundles are reflective. This feature allows the material to be more energy efficient so that your garage will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Reflective garage door insulation panels can either be white or silver and are typically made from foam core.

Foam core garage door insulation is a popular method for reducing energy costs and noise levels in the home because the material is both smoke- and fire-resistant. Rather than the styrofoam you’re used to finding in packages, foam insulation is packed much tighter to provide both a better seal and more insulating properties. While denser materials provide better resistance to heat transfer, foam core insulation can often pale in comparison after a few years of use.

The biggest reason to choose fiberglass garage door insulation panels over another type of material is that fiberglass is both mold- and water-resistant. This can be particularly helpful in areas where there is a lot of moisture and humidity in the air. In fact, many garage doors are made of fiberglass.  

There are various types of polystyrene laminate, including expanded and extruded. Garage door insulation made from polystyrene laminate can either be incredibly effective or not very useful at all. Expanded polystyrene laminate has lower energy efficiency than the extruded alternative, mostly due to the insulating features of each type. While some polystyrene can be rather cheap, you get what you pay for, so choose a higher-quality, higher-priced option if you can. 

Part of the Atlas Molded Products company founded in 1965, Matador Garage Door Insulation kits are a viable solution to any unsecured garage door. If your garage door is wider or larger than standard, check out the Wide, Large Insulation Kit offered by Matador.

Based out of Florida, US Energy has been in the garage door insulation business since 2007. If you’re looking for a non-fiberglass alternative, check out its Platinum Reflective Insulation for two-car garage doors up to 8 feet high.

If you need an Attic Stairway Insulator, check out what the folks at Owens Corning have to offer. Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, this company has been in the business for over 60 years and serves countries worldwide. 

One of the key components to the best garage door insulation, whether it’s in a kit or just the product itself, is that you don’t need any special tools to install it. The best garage door insulation comes with the adhesive you need in order to apply the panels and secure them in place. Beyond that, the panels should be pre-cut and ready to go.

There are certain materials within your house that shouldn’t get wet, but your garage door will inevitably endure some moisture over the course of its lifetime. The best garage door insulation will be water-resistant to prevent not only mold and mildew from forming but also discoloration and disrepair. Even though the insulation material fits the backside of your garage, it should be water- and weather-resistant.  

The best garage door insulation keeps your energy bill low and the noise level lower. Panels should be designed in such a way as to promote cooler temperatures in the summer and warmer temperatures during the winter. Similar to the way in which your house is insulated, the garage door insulation should also deaden any sound within your garage.  

Choosing the best garage door insulation means finding one you can install and then not have to worry about for quite some time. Garage door insulation that is low maintenance won’t require washing as the years pass and will last at least a few years. Spending less time on your garage door insulation and more time using said garage means looking for insulation that is low-maintenance. 

More on Garage Tools/Accessories

Owens Corning has long been associated with high-quality products, and that’s the main reason why we chose its Garage Door Insulation Kit as our top pick. The kit is designed for metal garage doors and includes enough material to cover a single garage door that’s up to nine feet wide. 

Let’s take a closer look at what else makes this kit an easy, weekend DIY project. All you need to install the garage door insulation are a tape measure, a utility knife, a straight edge, and a marking utensil. The panels easily go up in less than one hour. Made from a flexible material, these fiberglass panels have vinyl facing that finishes off the interior look of your garage, and they're easy to clean. After installing this garage door insulation, Owens Corning boasts that you’ll see a 20-percent reduction in noise levels with five times better thermal performance.

Our biggest concern with the Owens Corning Garage Door Insulation Kit is that the fiberglass can easily pull away from the garage door surface if it’s caught or snagged. There’s also a possibility that you may find it difficult to apply the insulation around sharp edges, which will likely cut the material instead. Despite these issues, this kit makes it easy for any homeowner to make some cheap and easy improvements.

With the US Energy Reflective Foam Core Insulation Roll, not only will you be able to cut your own panels, but you’ll also have a convenient way of storing any leftover insulation. This product is made in America, so you’ll be supporting an American business by purchasing from US Energy.

This roll of foam core insulation measures 21-inches tall by 16-feet long. The material is 5/16-inches thick and consists of a foil base, foam core (hence the name), and a white vinyl outer layer. This outer layer is puncture-proof, crush-proof, and waterproof. Overall, the product is lightweight and provides a non-toxic solution for those who want to get more out of their garage space. In fact, this foam core garage door insulation reflects nearly 100 percent of heat transfer, so you won’t bake or freeze, depending on the time of year.

A drawback to this product is that you have to cut your own panels. This makes the process a bit longer when it comes to installation, but anyone armed with a tape measure and a utility knife should be able to measure, cut, and install this foam core insulation just fine. Read our tips section for more on how to make the most of your cuts when it comes to roll-up installation.

Next on our list of the best garage door insulation is the Matador Garage Door Insulation Kit for 8-Foot Tall Door. This kit works on garage doors that are eight to nine feet tall and includes eight insulating panels. 

Though this particular kit didn’t make our top two slots, there’s still a lot to love about the Matador Garage Door Insulation Kit. There are no specialty tools required to install these eight panels; simply purchase a strong adhesive, apply it to the back of the panels, and install it onto the inside of your garage door. In fact, you can easily complete this installation in less than one hour. Made from high-impact polystyrene laminate, these panels are easy to was and are actually made from the same product as most garage doors. That means you can have a uniform look and still get the benefits of high-quality garage door insulation.

The main drawback of this product is that the polystyrene isn’t as flexible as other material, so when you go to install the panels you may find that bending them without causing damage can be difficult. However, Matador makes it easy for anyone to enjoy the many benefits of garage door insulation with their easy-to-install product. 

The SmartGARAGE reflective garage door insulation kit is designed for 16-panel doors up to 18 feet wide and 7 feet high. The company claims the kit can reduce temperatures by as much as 8 degrees in the summer and will reduce heating costs during the winter. The 4mm reflective surface is constructed of closed cell polyethylene foam and aluminum on both sides, which provides double the protection.

This kit comes with heavy-duty, double-sided tape that can withstand extremely hot or cold conditions. The insulation is designed to provide a vapor barrier, so humidity, moisture, and mold don't penetrate. The kit also dampens sound and is easy to install. The materials are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, and the finished look is nice and clean. Users report that the garage space is much more comfortable to use in summer and winter after installing this kit.

However, there have been some complaints that the tape isn't the best quality and doesn't stick as well as intended. In addition, the insulation has a tendency to make a lot of crinkling noises when you're opening and closing the garage door.

This NASA TECH garage door insulation kit from US Energy Products is made in America. It fits doors that are 18 feet wide by 7- or 8-feet high. The insulation features an air pocket design with an insulation value of R8 and can reduce the inside temperature by as much as 30 degrees in the summer. The materials are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic. 

The kit comes with heavy-duty, double-sided tape for installation as well as four rolls of white/foil foam core insulation, a razor, a squeegee, and instructions. In addition to controlling the temperature in both hot and cold climates, it also dampens sounds. It's an effective, lightweight solution that meets American and international fire codes, so you feel confident in its protective abilities. Overall, it's simple to install, and customer service is very accommodating if you experience any problems.

The biggest complaint about this product is that it is a little thin in construction. Some users also report that they had to cut the insulation themselves in order to make the panels fit correctly.

The Reach Barrier 3009 Garage Door Insulation Kit is a reflective insulation kit with bubble barrier technology that blocks as much as 95 percent of radiant heat, which reduces your energy costs. The kit comes with eight pre-cut panels that are simple to install. It also has 48 acrylic adhesive squares and instructions. You don't need special tools or protective gear when you're using the kit.

The panels are constructed of 5/32-inch barrier bubble material sandwiched between two layers of reflective polyethylene with high R values. The product meets or exceeds ASTM fire code standards and requires no maintenance. Users say this insulation maintains the temperature in the garage and blocks out a lot of heat. In addition, it's lightweight enough that there shouldn't be any additional strain on the garage door opener's motor or spring. Overall, it's affordable, and customer service is very helpful.

Unfortunately, there have been some complaints that the adhesive doesn't work very well. Also, some users have had to order two boxes in order to complete the work because the dimensions are a little unclear.

The Cellofoam garage door insulation kit comes with eight foam panels that feature an expanded polystyrene core that's designed to reduce utility bills and make the space more comfortable throughout the year. The face of the panels are made of high-impact styrene (HIPS) laminate for durability, aesthetic purposes, and for easier cleaning. The panels are 20 by 54 by 1.5 inches and have a 4.8 R value.

One of the best things about this product is that the installation is very simple and takes around an hour to complete with the use of basic tools you should already have on-hand. Once installed, the garage or workshop should be quieter and more comfortable to work in. Users like the clean look of this insulation, which doesn't resemble aluminum foil.

One downside is that it may be a little trickier to install if you have windows on the garage door and need to cut the pieces to fit correctly. There are also no extra pieces included in case you make a mistake.

This garage door insulation kit from Ant Enterprises fits a variety of door sizes, including 16 x 7, 16 x 8, 17 x 7, 17 x 8, 18 x 7, and 18 x 8 foot garage doors. The insulation is made of non-fiberglass reflective foam core foil with an R value of 8.5. The package includes four rolls of 24-inch-wide by 18-foot-long material, which is made in America.

The insulation is durable and waterproof as well as easy to install thanks to the step-by-step instructions. The kit comes with good-quality tape that keeps the paneling in place. If you make a mistake during installation and need to readjust it, the material adheres just as well the second time around and is so strong that it won't fall off. You will notice a temperature difference after you install this insulation, which is helpful if you work in your garage in extremely hot or cold weather.

However, you have to be patient when installing this kit and to clean your door in advance for the best adhesion. It's also critical to measure twice and cut once to ensure you have the proper dimensions.

Here's another product from Reach Barrier. The Reflective Air Insulation has two layers of sealed air that's laminated between two layers of reflective polyethylene that enables it to effectively insulate the area and reduce sound. The roll of radiant protection is 2 feet by 100 feet and can be used in a variety of places, including garage doors and ceilings, crawl spaces, and in metal and steel buildings.

This product is designed to minimize loss of heat in the winter and reduce heat absorption in the summer, which will save you money on energy bills over time. The insulation is easy to install and will not cause any problems if it contacts your skin. It meets ASTM standards, and users like it because it is less expensive and features more material than many garage insulation kits that only fit one double garage door.

There are not many complaints associated with this product. Since it's designed to be used against metal, it's not a good substitute for fiberglass insulation. Some users also didn't receive installation instructions in the packaging.

Next is this commercial-grade product from SmartSHIELD, which comes in a variety of sizes, including 16 x 50, 24 x 50, 48 x 50, and 48 x 100 inches, making it a versatile option. The reflective insulation roll includes a foam core radiant barrier and thermal insulation shield. This product can be used in a variety of places in addition to your garage, including attics, steel buildings, crawl spaces, sheds, and hunting shelters.

This insulation reflects 97 percent of radiant energy and resists humidity, moisture, and mold, making it a great indoor and outdoor solution. It also has soundproofing capability and is easy to cut, clean, and install. The insulation is strong yet lightweight, non-toxic, and meets fire standards. Even though it's not particularly thick, it is tough and wrapped in foil on both sides for optimal efficiency.

There have been some complaints that the roll may be damaged during shipping. You also need to make sure to use the correct tape in order for it to adhere properly.

A: Look at the inside of your garage door. Count how many panel openings there are between the frame of the door itself. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to have a few extra panels, so you may want to keep that in mind as you order the insulation.

A: Most panels can be cut with a utility knife or box cutter. We don’t recommend cutting the panels with scissors as most of the materials won’t react well. Make sure you cut with safety in mind, placing the panels on a flat surface and practicing caution when moving the blade.

A: Depending on the type of material they’re made from, garage door insulation panels typically don’t weigh too much alone. However, after you’ve put eight to 10 of them on your garage door, you’ll be able to feel the difference—and so will your garage door opener’s motor.

A: In most cases, you should just have to make a few adjustments. That being said, it’s always a good idea to check your garage door opener and make sure it’s not straining to open the garage door. Adjust the settings accordingly or invest in a more powerful opener if necessary.

A: Manufacturers typically specify whether their panels can be washed or not. It’s important to know if you can wash the panels before you begin spraying them down with a hose or pressure washer, as some materials will not react well to the moisture. Always check to make sure you can wash your garage door insulation panels before getting them wet.

A: R values, in regard to garage door insulation panels, refers to the material’s ability to conduct heat. Materials that have high R values insulate very well.

A: This may be possible, depending on the manufacturer, but often you’ll likely have to purchase a whole kit just to have those extra panels you may need for replacement. If you do think you’ll have to replace panels frequently, consider purchasing an extra kit as a backup.   

A: Depending on what product you choose from the types of garage door insulation available, it may be more advantageous to go with a roll of garage door insulation rather than pre-cut panels. The best approach is to measure the interior of your garage door cutouts, add an inch on each side for a better fit, and then search for panels that fit those dimensions. 

Our top pick for the best garage door insulation is the Owens Corning Garage Door Insulation Kit. Capable of covering garage doors up to 9 feet with no special tools required, it will fit nearly any garage door.

If you’re working off a budget, consider the US Energy Reflective Foam Core Insulation Roll. This material can quickly be cut to fit your garage door.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox.

© 2022 Recurrent Ventures. All Rights Reserved.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.