If you make the right choice, the garage door you choose will likely serve you for more than a decade. There are many considerations to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect garage door for your home. It is important to make the right decision because your garage door is not only a convenience, it is one of the first features of your home that guests get to see. A good garage door will increase your home’s curbside appeal and property value. If you need help getting the right garage door for your home, contact Local Garage Door Pros. But first, here’s how to choose the best garage door for your home.
Budget
Like any other purchase, the amount of money you have set aside for the project will dictate the best choice for you. Garage doors come in a wide range of costs depending on their material and style. You can get a garage door from $800 to $10,000. A customized garage door will cost more than those which are not made to order. It is advisable to do plenty of research online and in person. Do not make the costly mistake of ordering a garage door online or over the phone. Most reliable companies will send a garage door salesperson to inspect your garage door opening, shape, size, headroom and side clearance.
However much you plan to spend on your garage door, be sure to do a lot of window shopping to ensure you purchase the best door you can afford. It is worth it to spend a little extra to ensure that you get a door that is sturdy, durable and aesthetically pleasing. Great ways to reduce your total garage door bill include choosing a company that offers inclusive installation, maintenance and warranty. Labor is often a significant part of purchasing a garage door and relying on a qualified salesperson will ensure you get a personalized quotation.
Style
You’ll be spoilt for choice when choosing the style of garage door you’d prefer for your house. The most appropriate style for you will depend on your home’s architecture and your personal taste. Swing-out garage doors are usually made of wood or galvanized steel. They open from a hinged frame just like french doors. Swing out doors can be automated and are the best choice for homeowners struggling with limited headroom in the garage.
Sectional garage doors are made of horizontal panels which roll up or down on a track. They are the most common for modern homes and are typically linked to a remote garage door opening system. The system enables you to open and close your garage door without having to exit the car. Roll-up garage doors consist of two-inch slats that roll around a drum during the opening and closing of the door. These doors do not need springs to operate and can be more suitable for heavy use because of their durability and low maintenance nature.
If you have limited headroom, you can opt for a slide to the side garage door which opens through a mechanism that slides it to the side. Slide to the side doors are not ideal for homeowners that want to use their garage as a storage space.
Material
Choosing the best material for your garage door will be guided by your budget, climate, the style of door you have chosen, and the opening mechanism (manual or automatic). This is the best way to ensure that you choose the door that most appropriately fits your needs and style. The most common garage door materials are steel, aluminum, wood and composite.
Steel and aluminum are on the high end of the price scale because they are very durable and low maintenance. Wood is a traditional choice that though high maintenance, increases the curbside appeal and property value. Environmentalists can opt for doors that are designed to look wooden but are much less high maintenance.
Insulation
You should consider insulating your garage door because it is an efficient way to reduce your energy bills. Homeowners in extremely hot or cold regions can benefit greatly from insulation because it ensures that your HVAC does not work overtime to cover leaks that are caused by an uninsulated door.
Security
Security is a top consideration when choosing your garage door. Homeowners that choose an automatic door should ensure that they have failsafe sensors that detect objects in their path to prevent accidental injury to children or pets.
