As the most frequently used entrance and exit point to homes, garage doors are a significant feature and can greatly determine the aesthetic appearance of the home. If your garage doors are shabby, broken or old fashioned, those viewing the property from the outside may assume that the rest of the home is in a similar condition, and if you’re looking to sell it, this can have disastrous effects. In fact, one of the top remodelling projects to increase the value of a home the previous year was the replacing of garage doors, with up to an 85% ROI.
If you’re considering upgrading your garage doors to boost your curb appeal, then you will find yourself confronted with many options, some of which may be suitable, some of which may not. Style is of course an important factor to consider when choosing new doors, but security and insulation should be equally as important. Garage doors are an investment, so treat them as such, and try to make a reasoned decision when it comes to choosing them.
Here are a few of the options available when your choosing new garage doors:
Styles
There are many styles available on the market today, but two of the most popular are ‘classic’ and ‘carriage’.
Classic style doors:
These come in a variety of colours and different insulation options. They are easy to customize by adding windows, hardware and other items to help the doors match your home. Classic doors can be raised by hand, or by using a garage door opener and are the most practical and economical choice.
Carriage style doors:
These are designed to resemble historic carriage house doors and can help make your home look more distinguished and elegant. They offer an outward swinging opening with upward operation and can be made from a range of different materials.
Materials
Garage doors can be made from many different materials, but the most popular are wood, steel, fibreglass, vinyl and aluminium. Your budget may affect your choice, and here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each material:
Wood:
Wooden garage doors can look pleasing and are easy to customize, but they can be costly and heavy, which may be a factor if you’re planning to open your doors manually. They may also require more frequent maintenance than other materials.
Steel:
Garage doors made from steel require lower maintenance than wood but are vulnerable to rust and dents. Weight is also a factor to consider.
Fibreglass:
Doors made from fibreglass are more affordable and can easily be customized, but they are less hardy and can look less pleasing as time goes on.
Vinyl:
Easy to maintain, vinyl garage doors are hard to damage by denting, but they come in less colour and design options.
Aluminium:
Aluminium doors are much lighter than other materials and are resistant to dents, but they can be costly.
Insulation
With insulated garage doors you can lower your home’s electricity bills by blocking the exterior temperature and preventing any heat or air conditioning from escaping. You can also help to keep the garage space at a comfortable temperature. Insulated doors can also help to reduce the operating sounds of the garage.
If new garage doors are going to feature in your next remodelling project, then be sure to carefully consider your options and always have them installed by a professional.
