Your garage is a main focal point of your home. It’s one of the first things people will see when they drive by or park in your driveway. Having the right style and color garage door is the key to making a great first impression on those who visit or pass by your home. As overwhelming as it seems, picking a garage door isn’t that bad when you’re informed. When it comes to finding the best garage doors for your home, here are a few things you should know.
Tips For Picking The Best Garage Doors For Your Home
When picking out a garage door for your home, the first thing you should look as is what type or door is right for you. This will help you to narrow down your style options and ultimately help you make your decision. The following garage doors are what you will have to choose from:
- Swing-out – Consists of two doors that are hinged and swing out like a normal door. It can be operated manually or mechanically, depending on how much you are willing to spend. This type of door leaves you with ceiling room that others take away.
- Swing-up – A traditionally styled door that literally swings up from its standing position. These doors require a certain amount of clearance to open. That being said, parking against the door is not a possibility if you want to be able to open your garage.
- Roll-up – A modern take on a garage door that saves ceiling space and can be operated manually or remotely. This style isn’t typically the first choice for homeowners because it’s more for industrial usage. But if you have a hidden garage where you store big machinery such as tractors, this may be the perfect option for you.
- Sectional – This is the most popular garage door style today. It takes away some ceiling space due to the way it operates, but gives you a lot of freedom in return. A sectional garage door can be made with almost any material and is fantastic at keeping your belongings safe from the weather.
- Sliding – This style is exactly like many barn doors. The use of tracks and wheels allows two heavy doors to be easily pushed apart by hand or remote. A downside to this style is that it’s not as weathertight as other types.
Which Garage Door Materials Are Best?
After deciding what type of door you want, picking the material comes next. After determining what your needs are, you will then be able to determine what your garage door should be made out of. The following are your material options for your garage door:
- Steel – One of the most popular choices for garage doors. This material is very affordable and can stand strong in most types of weather. A downfall to steel doors is that it can rust over time and become dented or scratched easily. However, there are preventive coatings that can be placed over the door.
- Aluminum – A popular choice for garage doors. It’s cheap and durable, as well as customizable. Many aluminum garage doors come with custom paneling that allow for windows to be inserted.
- Wood – This traditional material really knows how to make a statement. Wood garage doors can be customized so that it fits the look of your home perfectly. Although they tend to be more expensive than other materials and require a bit more maintenance, it will certainly add character to your home.
- Fiberglass – This affordable material comes in many colors and finishes but isn’t the most recommended for cold weather climates. It can also break more easily than other materials.
- Glass – As a very modern looking material, having a glass garage door might be just what you need to put the finishing touch on your home. You can choose to have glass windows on a door of a different material or just have a door made of completely glass.
Selecting Color & Paneling Design
Picking the right color is very important stylistically. First determine if you want your garage to stand out or blend in. If you are looking to draw attention, find a contrasting color that pops or match the door to the color of your home.
To give your garage some sense of texture, paneling is a must. Instead of having a plain door, panels can give it depth and add some character to the exterior of your home. Your paneling style options include flush, recessed and raised. Windows can also be placed where some of these panels would be.
Additional Garage Door Features To Consider
Depending on where you purchase your garage door from, it may or may not come with a motor, keypad and remote opener. These are a must have if you are looking for convenience. Keypads are a great security feature that will allow anyone to get in the garage without a remote–great for kids coming home after school. Also, not all garage doors come insulated. That being said, in the winter it might get a bit chilly in your garage. Insulating your door is simple and can be done by a professional or yourself.
Motor City Door: Your One-Stop Shop For Residential Garage Doors
Experience matters! Motor City Door has been serving Metro Detroit since 1965. Whether it’s commercial or residential related, we can do it all. From design and maintenance to installation and security, Motor City Door is the one to call. Call (586) 501-5874 to learn more about the best garage doors for your home and request your free quote.
