What are U Values?

If you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your building, understanding what U values are can be extremely worthwhile. Below we define what U values are, explain their importance and tell you what U values you need for steel doors.

What is a U value?

U values measure the efficiency of a building element at reducing heat loss. The lower the U value, the more effective a material is in keeping the warmth in and the cold out. In contrast, the higher the U value, the less effective a material is in keeping the warmth in and the cold out.

Why is U value important?

Understanding the meaning of U values and what they indicate is important as they have the potential to save you a lot of money. The lower the U value (which is measured in watts per square metre Kelvin), the better insulated that your commercial building will be. While doors with lower U values may be more expensive up front, they are a great way to maximise long-term savings as you can expect a significant reduction in your heating bills.

What U value do I need for my steel doors?

It’s recommended that the U value for a steel door, when insulated, is 0.65, and that the U value for a steel door that has no fibreglass insulation included is 1.20. It’s worth bearing in mind that, in 2010, a change in building regulations meant that all new doors had to have a U-value of 1.8W/M2K or less. However, this only applies when the entire frame is being replaced along with the door. If you’re only replacing the door itself, then you may be able to get away with a less energy-efficient door, but the downside to this is that you’ll be paying higher energy bills.

Our services

Here at Ace Door Solutions, we work hard to ensure that you’re getting value for your money. One of the most popular products that we offer is steel security doors, ideal for the commercial and industrial sectors. Alongside our steel security doors, we offer a wide range of other products, including security fencing and gates, access control systems, PVC strip doors and sectional doors.

For more information about U values, and more specifically the U values of our security steel doors and what they can do for improving your energy efficiency, please contact us directly.