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All garage doors, particularly newly installed models, add value to your home. Higher-quality and higher-priced doors increase the ROI, so a well-insulated custom garage door increases the value of your home more than a poorly-insulated stock model. Updating a garage door boasts the second-highest home improvement ROI, at nearly 95%.

Most insulation lasts 15 to 20 years, but it really depends on the type of insulation. Spray foam is a permanent insulation material that can last up to 100 years. Fiberglass and cellulose typically settle, shift, or deteriorate around 15 years. Once your insulation reaches the 15-year mark, it's time to check it for signs of needing to be replaced.

STC (Sound Transmission Class) is a rating that describes how well a building material or assembly blocks airborne sound. A higher STC rating means less noise will pass through the material, providing better sound reduction. This rating system applies to various building components, including windows, doors, flooring, drywall, and insulation.

For context, a typical single-pane window has an STC rating of around 25 (where normal conversations are audible), while a well-sealed, double-pane window can exceed STC 45 (blocking loud speech and most music). It is important to note that for some products, like soundproofing drywall, the STC rating refers to the entire wall system, not just the individual panel.

Additionally, STC ratings are most effective for measuring sound reduction at mid-to-high frequencies, such as human speech, and may not accurately reflect how well a material blocks low-frequency sounds like bass music or thunder. Because of these factors, it is recommended to consult a professional to determine the right STC-rated materials for your specific soundproofing needs.

The best type of attic insulation depends on where you live, your budget, and what stage of construction the attic is in. For example, if you're building a house, then structural insulated panels are a worthy investment since they're easy to install during construction and they're the most energy-efficient type of insulation.  

Additionally, if you live in a very warm climate, then you can potentially save quite a bit of money by opting for reflective insulation, which is more affordable than comprehensive insulation but doesn't work well for cool climates. Blown-in, loose-fill, and spray foam insulation are all great options for attics in moderate climates.