Selecting a Garage Door: What to Consider Before Purchasing a New Garage Door

Installing a new garage door for your home is one of the best ways to increase your curb appeal and increase the value of your home. There are several considerations to make before purchasing a garage door including: use, size, style, material, maintenance, safety and durability. Taking the time to properly research the numerous garage door options will help ensure that you are choosing the best garage door for your home. Use Garage doors are available in so many varieties, from insulated, to non-insulated, to custom ordered and pre-fabricated. The function of your garage is the main factor in determining what kind of garage door you need. For example, if you use your garage as a playroom room or workshop, then you should select an insulated garage door. If you live in a cold region, then an insulated garage door is a must. An insulated garage door will also help to keep out the noise from outside. Size Do you have a unique garage size that will need a custom sized garage door? If this is the case, then be prepared for it to cost you more than most standard garage doors. Style Hardware, color, windows and more can all be selected to meet your style needs. When determining which garage door style will suit your home the best, the first thing that you will want to keep in mind is color. Choose a garage door color that will complement the other colors on the exterior of your home, such as the brick, siding or roof shingles. Windows on garage doors provide extra light into your garage while making a stylish and pretty statement. Garage windows come with many styling options too, such as stained glass, frosted glass and tinted glass. Maintenance Before you select a garage door material, determine how much time you want to dedicate to maintaining your garage door before you choose the style and material. Points to think about are: Will I have to re-paint my garage door; if yes, then how often? Material Garage doors are made out of many different materials including: wood, aluminum, Vinyl, fiberglass and steel. Steel garage doors are the most popular garage doors in North America. They are the most cost effective, require low maintenance and are extremely durable. One of the least popular garage doors materials is aluminum. Wood garage doors are a popular choice as they come with many customizable options, such as different colors stains and paints. Safety A garage door with proper safety features is crucial. Nowadays, almost every garage door comes with safety features. It is still important to check that the garage door has a good springing system. New garage doors should also be equipped with sensors. Durability Choose a garage door that will sustain dents well. This is especially important if you have young children who may play ball and ride bikes near the garage door. If you live in a region where strong storms are common, such as in Florida or Texas, you should consider a very durable garage door material, such as steel.