What To Do and Not To Do When Choosing a New Garage Door
A garage is an important part of a home, in fact, it is front and center and plays a big part in a home’s curb appeal. Replacing an old garage door can give you curb appeal a big lift. Not only will it look better, but it will also perform better. Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to choosing a new garage door.
DO select the right style.
A home’s curb appeal is important when it comes to resale. A worn-out garage is not a good first impression to a potential home buyer. Replacing a garage door will enhance the exterior of your whole home. It is very important to choose the right style of door. The most important tip is to choose a door style that complements your house. If you have a Craftsman bungalow, then you would want a door with deeply overhanging eaves, extensive woodwork, and divided-light windows. If you have a modern home you will want a simple garage door with clean lines.
DON’T forget insulation.
Many homeowners skip the front door and use their garage door as their primary entrance. If this is the case, then it is a good idea to insulate the garage door. Insulation will allow a more comfortable garage when entering and exiting your home. A garage is usually 10 to 20 degrees different from the temp outside. This is a big opening in your home, and insulating it can also save you money on energy expenses. A room next or above a poorly insulated garage will be very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter.
DO choose a practical door type.
Just like there are different styles of garage doors, there are also different types of garage doors. Some homeowners want to have a traditional swinging door that opens outward from a central split or others want an old barn door that opens right to left. The most popular are overhead sectional doors because they roll up and down on mounted racks and are easy to pair with an automatic door opener.
DON’T ignore care requirements.
The garage door is one of the most important entryways of a home. It needs to be maintained properly and perform its bests. Wood garage doors are very popular nowadays but they require refinishing. If you want the wood look, composite is the way to do it. Steel is a good choice no matter what climate you live in. Understand the upkeep requirements of any door on your radar, and don’t commit to purchase one that you’re unable or unwilling to take care of.
DON’T underestimate severe storms.
Even though a garage door is big, a storm can still hurt it. They can be very vulnerable to high winds such as a tornado or hurricane which can break through a garage door. It is important to become familiar with the code-compliant doors. A local garage door dealer can tell you what the regulations are in your area.
DO experiment with visualization tools.
A dealer showroom is a great place to start. There you can see how different styles, construction and colors actually look and feel. There are also online tools that can help you visualize a certain door on your home. A great online tool is the Door Imagination System. You can simply upload a picture of your home and see different designs, colors and hardware on your home.
