Our garage door in our 1950’s home has had it’s time
What probably looked really good for this all wood classic back in the day, is showing wear and tear. The door has decayed and rotted and the springs wouldn’t hold it up. Our “opener” has been a large wood pole we would use to prop it open by hand. Oh to have a great garage door that gives my home curb appeal but also function and style! The good news is we have found our new door, and I wanted to share how you decide which door is best for you? If you haven’t looked at garage doors lately, for me it’s like shopping for shoes – the options are endless so you really have to do some homework, and a bit of dreaming for that ‘perfect fit’!
Here are some things to consider:
Home style and architecture
– Take a look at your home – the color, the shape, the architecture and neighborhood feel. Is your garage door near your front door – if so make sure they work together. And what about the color and style of your roof. It’s like putting together an outfit. The garage door is the coat to your pants, shirt and shoes. Consider the shape and style of windows too. Be true to your personality because garage doors are a fun way to express yourself but you want to make the overall vibe of the door will work with where you live.
Your Garage Purpose
– Like any room design, before you make choices you need to think about the purpose and function of that space. Is this simply storage and a place to park the car? Or is this a man or woman cave you’ve always dreamed of for projects, and other hobbies, maybe even an extra room as an office or work-out spot. Once you determine how the garage will be used you will know what kind of elements you need, including the door, to make the project a success.
Insulation
– If your garage is attached to your house – choose an insulated door. It will help you save on energy bills year round. And it will also help block out noise. If you are planning to use the garage as a project center, or other hobbies, insulation will make it look and feel more like a room. That is what we opted to do because now you just want to be in there more! If you have a detached garage and is only.
Upkeep
– Our old garage door made of all wood really did start to deteriorate. The paint was chipping and the wood itself had rotting issues. That is why we chose a faux wood door that has little upkeep. But every door, even the faux wood needs regular check ups. Doors made from steel or composite are very durable and virtually maintenance free. But you may prefer the warmth of wood and the endless options. Just note to self, be prepared to paint or stain every few years.
Building Code Rules – If you live in a coastal area or high wind area, you may need a reinforced door approved by the local building code authority. Garage doors are more susceptible to wind damage, especially two-car garage doors. If it’s not reinforced, strong winds could put you or your property at risk.
Materials
– In choosing my new garage door, I did a lot of research online, then went to the big box stores and showrooms to look at physical samples of how they look in person. I highly recommend this because there is no replacement for seeing and touching the material. But thanks to the new interactive websites like www.ClopayDoor.com/dream you can also visualize what the different door styles and materials will look and feel like with your own home photo!
Garage doors are now made out of anything from wood, to composite to steel and aluminum and they truly are about function and fashion. Installing a new garage door is one of the top few money back on the dollar home improvements.
So what do the different garage door materials do and what about the pro’s and cons:
Wood: It is classic with flexibility to make your unique door with the type of wood species and stain you prefer. However it weighs more than steel, so an opener with higher horsepower is recommended. And depending on where you live, it will require more maintenance.
This is a Clopay Reserve Collection Semi-Custom factory stained Cedar wood door. Design 2, REC 13 windows.
Composite: If you are into wood but not the upkeep then you are like me and would go for faux wood composite. It is gorgeous, looks like the real thing, only it’s more durable and less maintenance. The composite polymer material can be painted or stained and it is UV resistant and impervious to moisture, so it won’t rot, split, shrink, separate, or crack.
Clopay Canyon Ridge Collection stained composite garage door. Design 38, Arch1 top.
Steel: This gives you the broadest range of insulation and price options from a single-layer and non-insulated door to a premium three-layer door with thick polyurethane insulation and gorgeous windows.
Clopay Premium Series insulated steel garage door, Long Panel, Palladian windows with grilles.
Steel doors with composite overlays offer the benefits of durable, insulated steel with added charm and design flexibility. Details like coped edging, true divided lites and embossed woodgrain texture make it another attractive, low-maintenance alternative to real wood, if you’re in the market for a carriage-house style door.
Clopay Coachman Collection carriage-house style steel garage door with composite overlays. Design 12, Arch3 windows.
Aluminum: This is a rust proof alternative that is great for humid and coastal areas. You can dress it up with glass windows to add style and light too. It is incredibly durable. And if you live in a home that is ultra modern you can go with all glass too.
Clopay Avante Collection aluminum and glass garage doors. White frame with frosted insulated glass panels.
Budget
– Garage doors range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the size, materials and design you choose. Even if you have a small budget you can still get a great looking door that is going to enhance the look of your home.
You make some good points about choosing a garage door based on your home's style as well as the purpose of the garage. My husband and I moved into an older home so we would probably want to make sure the garage door we choose matches the shape and architecture of our home. Since neither of us know a lot about architecture, we are considering consulting a contractor to help us figure out what our options could be. http://www.garage-door-store.com
I agree that you should give your garage door some personality. I think that while you shouldn't overboard, you could definitely do some unique things to it. I would still generally try and make it match the rest of the house, though. http://www.allamerican-garagedoor.com
Whenever I think of garage doors I just imagine the basic style that is on most houses. My old door is showing a lot of signs of wear and tear and I have been thinking about replacing it. I really like the idea of a composite door that looks like wood but doesn't require the amount of work on upkeep that wood does. Maybe I will see that my options are for that type of door.
http://www.bestdoors.com.au
I think a lot of people overlook garage doors. You don't see many stylish ones when you are walking through a neighborhood. Maybe I will look into upgrading mine to a nice wooden one.
http://jcgaragedoorcenter.com
These are some great tips for choosing the right garage door. Most people wouldn't put this much thought into something like a garage door, but I know it's importance. I recently learned just how many different materials and styles you could choose from now, and there is a ton! You were smart to do research online. http://www.gdslax.com/services
I really like how you described the different ways that a garage could be used. This should be considered when purchasing a garage door. One that actually keeps cars in it may require different features than one that is basically used for storage. Do you have any other advice for finding a garage door to suit your needs? http://www.gandertdoor.com
Thanks for all of the information to help me choose the right garage door for my home. I like the tip that you shared about finding an option that matches my home style and architecture. Now that you mention it, this seems like such a vital aspect of choosing the right garage door. I will be sure to take your advice so that I can find the appropriate garage services in my area! http://overheaddoorofeverett.com/garage/3539348
I really want to have a beautiful garage door in our home. We are designing it now, so we need to make a decision. I think your first tip, looking at our home's style, is what will influence our choice the most. I had never thought to consider the window shape too, so thanks for the advice! http://www.noosadoorcentre.com.au/garage-doors/4/
This article gives me a lot of things to think about when getting a garage door. I want to get a garage door that is low maintenance and does not need me to repaint it every year. My parents have a garage door that is metal and they don't have to do anything with it. http://edisondoor.com/