How to Choose the Right Style Garage for your Home
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There’s no doubt that the interior of your home gets all the fanfare when it comes to decorating and home improvement, but there’s no doubt that the exterior of your home is what makes the first impression. One area of your outdoor home that is often overlooked is your garage door. It’s almost the “stepchild” of the home improvement world! Well not anymore, if you are in the process of choosing a new garage door, here are some tips for choosing the right style for your home.
1. Choose a material that works for your climate
It’s easy to think of your garage door as just a functional, utilitarian door that offers shelter and security for your vehicles and storage, but it also needs to work well with your climate. Depending on your geographic location, choose from metal, fiberglass, or wood for your home. Metal and fiberglass tend to be more durable and will last over time, although wood is natural and creates a beautiful aesthetic for your outdoor home. If you have salt in the air, ask your local garage door dealer what material works best to resist corrosion.
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2. Wooden garage doors are beautiful, but they are an investment.
Everyone loves wood! Whether you choose furniture or wainscoting, the inherent nature of wood cannot be matched by any other material. If you have a rustic exterior home, or like the sleek, modern lines of contemporary wood garage doors, look to Cedar, Hemlock, and Larch as wood varieties to consider. Remember, wood is more expensive than its metal counterparts, but it can give you a look you’ll love. Contact a custom wood door garage door manufacturer to see design options for your home.
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3. Metal garage doors can be of strong or lightweight construction
Depending on the location of your home, a steel or aluminum garage door could be ideal. For houses that are in places prone to hurricanes or typhoons with strong winds, steel is ideal for resisting damage and theft. For older homes, steel is a good choice as it is durable and can be painted in a variety of colors. Aluminum doors are durable and lightweight, and are ideal for homes that don’t want to use a higher powered motorized garage door opener.
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4. Consider fiberglass doors for extreme temperature changes:
If you live in a climate that experiences high heat or cooler low temperatures, a fiberglass door is ideal. Fiberglass is durable and is also a great insulator and will keep your heating and air conditioning bills from skyrocketing during seasonal temperature swings. Fiberglass is also more resistant to splitting and cracking unlike wood garage doors.
5. Choose a style that matches the architecture of your home:
After you’ve chosen a material, it’s time to consider what aesthetic you’d like your garage to have. Garage doors have come a long way from being just a solid field of color! Today, you can get doors that have windows or windows and you can get doors that mimic the architectural details of your main home. From traditional single door carriage doors to contemporary double sided varieties, there is no limit to your creativity! Many homeowners look to garage door manufacturers to build custom garage doors.
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6. Make sure your garage door has the security requirements you need
Like the exterior doors to your main home, your garage door must have the functionality to access your home and belongings, but also the security requirements to ensure no one is harmed. Depending on your garage door opener and/or how garage door openers work, it will mostly be based on your garage space as well as the type of door you choose. Ask your garage door professional about roll-up, canopy, side-hinged or sectional garage doors. They will be able to assess your garage for the correct style of mechanism.
7. Teach your family how to be safe around the garage door
While safety mechanisms, such as motion-controlled sensors to operate the door without accidentally falling on a person or object, are important. Another safety tip to keep in mind is to teach family members and children not to play in or around garage doors. Be sure to point out the garage door sensor area and talk about being safe and staying away when the garage door is being operated.
8. Before selecting a garage, understand the maintenance required for maintenance
While you may think you can buy a garage door and never have to repair or maintain it again, think again. Just like any other mechanical feature, your garage door should be checked by a garage door professional every few years to ensure the springs, mechanical parts, garage door opener, and door integrity are still in good state. Look for garage doors that don’t require a lot of maintenance. Many homeowners prefer not to use a garage door opener and open it manually. The choice is always up to you.
9. Add an unexpected curb appeal to your garage door facade
Another way to find the right garage door is to stop on the street and check out your entire house. Similar to determining the correct color for the exterior of your home, going back will help you assess your entire exterior. What is missing? Is your garage flat in the front or is it hidden behind trees? Does your garage need to coordinate with the house around it, or can it have a design aesthetic of its own because it faces another street? Once you answer these questions, it’s possible that paying more attention to the details of your garage will improve its curb appeal.
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10. Choose a garage door that works well with your family lifestyle
Once you’ve considered the other 9 tips, don’t forget one of the most important factors: your lifestyle. If you love the look of glass-front garage doors but have active kids playing in the driveway with balls, skateboards, and neighborhood friends, you may need to reconsider an unglazed (glass) one. Remember that your garage door should reflect your lifestyle as well as your home – enjoy choosing one that makes you and your home feel great!
