In addition to the front door, the garage door makes a huge impact on the aesthetic of the front face of a home.
If you park your car indoors, you may even use the garage door more frequently than your own front entry door!
Because it has such a huge impact on the facade of your home, you will want to consider these seven things before choosing a new garage door.
1 Style
Sectional
This type of garage door seems to be the standard in newer builds. A sectional garage door is made of several horizontal panels that roll up and down on a track.
They are often connected to a remote system, so the garage door will open and close without having to leave your car.
Swing Out
Garage doors that swing out are reminiscent of old carriage doors. They open like french doors from a hinged frame to create a modern farmhouse look.
Though they are typically made of wood, they can also be found in galvanized steel. This is a great option for a garage with limited head room and can be automated.
Roll-Up Garage Doors
As the name suggests, these doors are made up of 2”-3” slats that roll up around a drum to open or close. This type of door can be built without springs and can withstand heavy use.
Slide to the Side
This type of garage door slides parallel to your garage door. Ideal for garages with little ceiling space, but less than ideal for someone who likes to use their garage for storage. They can, however, be automated for the users convenience.
Tilt-Up Canopy Garage Doors
This style of garage door is very mid-century modern. They are made of one solid panel set on a pivoting hinge. This allows them to tilt up into the garage, sitting parallel with the garage ceiling.
2 Material
You should consider three things when deciding what your garage door should be made of; climate, style and whether it will open manually or automatically.
If you keep these three factors in mind, you will find the best fit for your environment.
Aluminum or Steel
Though more expensive than the other options, aluminum or steel garage doors are incredibly durable and easy to maintain. They will provide security and longevity.
Wood
Gorgeous, traditional and higher maintenance. This material will increase your curb appeal, but will not be compatible with all types of garage doors.
There are engineered wood doors available that look like the real deal but require less upkeep.
Composite
Composite material is made from wood fibers and plastic resins. It is lighter than wood and fairly durable.
3 Insulation
Whether you live in a hot or cold climate, chances are you don’t want to let the outside into your garage.
People who live in areas with extreme temperatures will definitely want to consider getting a garage door that is insulated or can be easily insulated.
If your garage is attached to your home, your HVAC system will have to work extra hard to maintain the climate in an uninsulated system.
4 Climate
Your climate will influence which type of garage door you will select. If you live in an area with a lot of ice and snow, know that a metal door will eventually rust with exposure to salt.
If you live in an area prone to termites, a wooden garage door may not be a great idea. If you want your door to last for years, take your environment into consideration.
You can even ask your neighbors what has worked well for them!
5 Technology
Are you the type of person that likes to park their car in the garage? Or do you prefer to leave it as a workshop/storage?
If you are constantly driving in and out of your garage, you will want to select a style that is compatible with an automatic garage door opener.
If you rarely open the garage door and mostly use that space for storage or projects, you can save some money by opting for a garage door that doesn’t open remotely.
You can also have a keypad installed that operates the garage door in case you lose your remote or need to grant someone else access to you home!
6 Safety
If you opt for a garage door that opens automatically, you will want to know how to use the emergency release pull cord in case the power goes out and you need to leave your home.
It should also come with a sensor that can tell when an object is in the path of the door to prevent accidents.
7 Budget
Like front doors, there are economy garage doors as well as deluxe models.
If you have a tight budget but value artistic expression, consider installing a wooden canopy garage door that you can paint a mural on!
That’s a good point that you should consider your local climate. We have very cold winters where I live. I may want to consider an insulated garage door.
Great blog brother, You truly are a smart man.
You have so much knowledge in your field and a true expert.
Thank you Stanley! We are glad to know you like our post.
I want to make sure that I have the right garage door. It makes sense that I would want to get one that slides upward! I can see how that would save on space in the long run, because I wouldn’t have to worry about the space it takes for a door to swing open.
Thanks to the author for sharing such a great post. The article was very well written and providing great info about 7 tips for choosing the best garage door for your home!! It can be really great for people like me who are looking to get such kind of more knowledge about it.
Wow! This one is the best! I accidentally visited this site while looking for something else!, But Wow!, Good thing I came into this site. Thank you for sharing this guide with us, it is really helpful!
Thank you for explaining that climate influences the type of garage door we should get. I need a new garage door on my rental property. It would be smart for me to consult a professional about the best garage door options for my needs.
Great content! This is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. Thanks for your help .
Hello, Joseph,
Thanks for choosing EightDoors!
We are happy this content was helpful to you! Feel free to email us at doors@eightdoors.com if anything is needed.😊
Kind regards,
EightDoors Team
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