Choosing a New Garage Door

One of the easiest ways to spruce up a big, and very visible, portion of your home is a new garage door. When it comes time to figure out just which style, material and options to select, here are some tips that may prove helpful.

Tip #1 – Decide on a Look

Are you looking for a traditional garage door to match the rest of the home’s design? What about contemporary, or French Provincial, seaside cottage look, country, or other? You want to ensure that the garage door – a focal point of your home – blends in nicely with the home’s architecture and style. Deciding on a look is one of your first considerations.

Tip #2 – Choose Your Door Material

Types of garage door materials include wood (great for traditional styles), aluminum, steel and fiberglass. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. What material you choose may depend on where you live (humidity, extremes of weather), maintenance and upkeep, and durability.

Tip #3 – Select Door Type

Garage door types include roll up or tilt-up design. Tilt-up doors rotate out and upward when opening. They have a disadvantage in that they may not open if objects are left too close to the door and they also tend to allow moisture, snow and other debris into the garage. Roll up garage doors consist of several sections, usually 4 to 5, that roll over tracks and rest against the ceiling when open. More expensive than tilt-up doors, roll up models save on space and are considered stronger and safer.

Tip #4 – Pick Design and Options

Will you want insulation in your new garage door? Tack on about 10 percent for this option, which is well worth it if you live in a climate of weather extremes or an area prone to hurricanes or typhoons. Wood-grain embossing, moldings, windows, special paints, recessed or raised panels and flush design are some considerations.

Tip #5 – Get the Best Warranty

Wherever you buy your new garage door, get the door with the best warranty you can – on both the product as well as the installation.