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Picking a Garage Door
When you are choosing a garage door for your home, there are many factors to consider. You want to make sure you choose the right one for your needs and budget. There are many different materials, options, and styles to choose from, so it can be difficult to know where to start. Don’t worry, here we’ll cover everything you need to consider when making your decision. We will also provide some tips on how to find the best garage door for your home!
Set a Budget
Your first step should be to set a budget. A great resource on the costs of new overhead garage doors is available here. It’s a detailed rundown of the costs associated with a new garage door. Take a look and decide on a budget that matches your needs. Among the things you have to consider are:
- What is the purpose of the garage door?
- Garage doors can be more than just storage for your car. Could be an entrance to a garage gym or used as a mechanic’s garage and need more accessibility.
- What kind of security do you need?
- Do you need to keep your car safe from the elements?
- What do you need in terms of security?
Using these questions, begin to narrow down your budget range.
Pick a Material
There are a few main types of garage doors: wood, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass. Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of each. Wood garage doors are the most traditionally beautiful and can be customized to match your home’s style. Steel garage doors are strong and durable, but they can be more expensive and heavy. Aluminum and fiberglass garage doors are a lightweight options that are growing in popularity most recently. Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you will need to weigh your options carefully.
Pros:
- Traditional type of garage door
- Strong
- Great noise reduction
- Great insulation
Cons:
- Require maintenance like paint
- Susceptible to wood rot
- Will eventually need to be replaced
Pros:
- Very strong
- Low maintenance
- East to paint any colour
- Economical
Cons:
- Can’t prevent noise very well
- Easily dented
- Can rust over time
Pros:
- Light and energy efficient
- Versatile in terms of design and colour
- Do not rust
Cons:
- Easily physically damaged
- Not fantastic at insulation
Pros:
- Doesn’t grow or shrink much due to temperature
- Low maintenance
- No rust
- Okay at insulation
Cons:
- Repair is difficult so usually will need to replace if damaged
- Can yellow over time
Pick a Style
Garage doors come in many shapes and sizes. They can come with elaborate designs and colours. They can have windows across the top or down the side for a more modern application. Some garage doors can have multiple colours and others will have intricate patterns and designs woven into the material.
To Insulate or Not to Insulate
Once you have decided on a material, you will need to choose between an insulated and non-insulated garage door. Insulated garage doors are great for reducing noise and keeping your home warm in the winter. This is especially true if you have a heated garage. Insulated garage doors will prevent heat escaping and save your heating costs in the winter. Non-insulated garage doors are less expensive, but they will not provide these benefits.
Opener Options
There are also many different opener options to choose from. You can get a chain-driven opener, which is the most common type. You can also choose a belt-driven opener, which is quieter and more reliable. If you have a large garage door, you may want to consider an automatic opener. This type of opener can lift the garage door with little effort on your part.
Additional Extras
Finally, think about any additional features you may want in your garage door. Some garage doors come with windows, which can add style to your home. You can also choose garage doors with different panel styles. There are many options available, so take some time to browse and find the perfect one for your home! There are many different garage door styles to choose from, including traditional, carriage house, and contemporary. Again, you will need to decide which style is best for your home.
Some garage doors come with additional features, such as insulation and technology. Automation in garage doors is a current emerging technology as an example. These are all things you will need to consider when making your decision.
Finally, once you have considered all of these factors, it is time to choose the right garage door for your home!
We hope this blog post has helped you in choosing the right garage door. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
1 comment
Thank you for explaining about insulated garage doors. I’ve been wondering what kind of features we should consider in a new garage door. I never thought about this, but I can see how it could help us, especially in the winter.