5 Options To Consider When Shopping For Garage Doors

According to Remodelling magazine’s 2016 Cost vs Value report, replacing the garage doors is one of the best home improvement you can make, claiming that a new garage door will give you a 91.5 percent recoup. It will not only improve your home’s curb appeal and increase its value, but it may also improve your home’s insulation and save you money on energy bills.

However, with so many different options out there, choosing a new garage door can be a challenge. A visit to retailers’ and manufacturers’ websites will give you a feel for different materials and styles, but all the variations and permutations of product available may also make your decision tougher.

Here are some options to consider before visiting a retailer or a manufacturer’s website:

1. Do you want an insulated door?

An insulated door will not only increase your home’s overall energy efficiency, but it can also make your garage useful as a workplace or an extra entertaining area by keeping it warm and quiet. A polyurethane insulated garage door, for instance, is a fairly thin door, but offers high insulation and substantial noise reduction.

2. Do you want windows in the door?

Windows do add to a home’s curb appeal and allow natural light into the garage, but before deciding on including them as a feature, you should consider such potential issues with them, such as leaking and cracking, and lack of privacy.

3. What style of garage door is right for you?

You may like the look of a certain type of garage door style, but it’s important to buy a door that suits the style of your house.

Most homeowners choose the sectional roll-up door – it tends to suit most contemporary houses. However, if you have an older style house like a Victorian or Georgian home, you might consider a coach house or stable look. If you have an Arts & Crafts home, a garage door with raised panels or sections will suit this type of architecture. Lastly, a 1950s ranch style house will do well with a streamlined look for the garage door, such as plain finish and simple horizontal design (IE wood slats).

4. What types of garage doors are available?

The short answer to this question is, “Many.” There a number of variations in style, but the four basic types are doors that roll up, swing out, swing up or slide side to side. The most common is the sectional door, with horizontal panels that roll up. These come with or without windows.

Swing-style doors, such as true carriage doors, will integrate better with the rest of the house, and can be more energy efficient. On the other hand, they are expensive to automate, and can be time-consuming to open and lock manually.

5. From what material should my garage door be constructed?

The most popular material for garage doors is wood, but doors do come in in a variety of materials, such as fiberglass, vinyl, steel, wood composite, aluminum, and even glass.

Woods used to make a garage door include cedar, redwood, and fir, and they can be painted by you or stained in a factory. Wood composite garage doors are typically made with a wood frame covered with sheets of fiberboard.

Steel doors should ideally be made of two layers of galvanized steel. They can be painted to match your home, but they may become dented and can rust. Garage doors fitted with aluminum panels are not prone to rusting, but are easier to dent. They come in contemporary brushed finishes, as well as in many colors.

Fiberglass garages are less prone to denting or cracking. They do not rust, but can break upon impact. Vinyl doors look similar to fiberglass doors, but are available in fewer colors. They are known for being “kid-proof,” because they are difficult to dent or break.

The options when it comes to your garage doors are nearly endless, and if you have a style in mind, chances are it can be matched. For more information on how to best choose a garage door, contact our team today!