Garage doors last for a long time. Some have a life span of up to 30 years. For this reason, you need to make the best choice when buying a garage door. The type of garage door you choose for your property is vital. Since it occupies almost a third of your home’s exterior (approximately 30% of the façade), it is one of the most prominent features of your property’s exterior.
Garage doors have several benefits. As SGI Property Management in Phoenix points out, they help to boost your home’s curb appeal and value. If you want to refresh the look of your home’s exterior, you can upgrade the garage door. However, that is not all the benefits you can obtain from them. Garage doors also help to boost your home’s energy efficiency. Some garage doors will help to lower your heating or cooling costs. For families with kids, some garage doors have safety features. Before you settle on a garage door, below are some tips to consider:
1. Garage door material
Garage doors come in several materials such as vinyl, wood, composite wood, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass. Each material has its pro and cons.
Wood garage doors are attractive. However, they require regular maintenance. The installation and maintenance costs can make it more expensive than others.
Aluminum, steel, and fiberglass are the most common. You can still get the appearance of a wooden garage door by using wood stains on steel doors. Whichever material you choose, remember that you will have to replace the garage door tracks at once.
2. Need for insulation
Some garage doors offer more insulation. Such doors cost more than the ones without enough insulation. If you spend more time in the garage and have a loft, workstation, or living space above the garage, you should consider insulated garage doors. It is also advisable to seal the garage floors for more insulation and avoid damage to the doors.
3. Have a budget
There are several types of garage doors. Each of them comes with outstanding features. Choosing a garage door can be overwhelming if you do not have a budget. If you have a tight budget, you may consider a standard, no-frill garage door and opener.
The price of the garage doors varies based on the material and added features. Some manufacturers include the installation cost in the purchasing price of the garage door. Ensure you confirm this when considering your budget.
4. Safety features
Safety features are essential in garage doors, especially if you have kids or pets. Most modern garage doors come with safety features. Some features to look out for include:
- Reverse sensor
- Finger-free design (prevents fingers from sustaining injuries following rail jams)
- Audible warning from your door opener using the newest technology.
- WiFi enabled openers to monitor if your door is open or closed.
- Ability to open and close your door from anywhere with your phone.
- Alerts when your door has been opened or left opened.
- Cameras to take a look inside when you aren’t home or to pair with Amazon Prime.
- Manual control (in case there is a power failure)
5. Your home’s architectural design
Since the garage door is a prominent feature on the home’s exterior and also contributes to its appeal, it would be best to select a garage door that matches the property’s design. Consider the overall aesthetics, color, and landscape before choosing a garage door. A suitable garage door will blend with your home effortlessly, but the wrong type will make your home exterior appear awkward. To have an idea of what you could have on your home please take a look at our gallery for inspiration.
6. Get an opener alongside
Modern or expensive garage doors come with automatic openers. It is more affordable to install the opener when replacing the door. That is because you save money on labor and buying the opener.
Garage doors that do not come with openers may appear inexpensive initially. However, the cost will add up when you later buy the opener and pay for the installation. It would be best to replace your openers with the garage door if your opener is old.
7. Garage door windows
Garage door windows have benefits and downsides. However, professionals have recommendations to minimize the cons. Garage door windows allow natural light into the space and add more value. But the windows may increase energy bills or attract thieves. You can prevent these by installing energy-efficient garage windows or using a screen instead of windows.
8. Description of features
Garage door manufacturers use specific terms to connote the features. Some terms include R-value, single layer, double layer, and premium.
- R-value explains the insulation property. If your garage is heated, go for doors with an R-value above R-13. For non-heated garage doors, you can choose R-6 to R-9.
- Single-layer doors have a layer of lightweight wood, steel, or fiberglass.
- The double-layer doors option has more insulation because it has two layers.
- Premium doors have a fiberglass sandwich between high-quality wood and steel. They have the best energy-saving feature.
The bottom line
Renovate or install a new garage door in your home is not like other renovations you do at your property. It is advisable to consider the things mentioned in this article when choosing garage doors along with other factors including the neighbourhood’s climate, safety, curb appeal, architecture, features, etc. Always seek professional advice if you have difficulty choosing the best garage door for your home.
