Thinking about a new garage door installation to add a bit of curb appeal to your home? You’ve come to the right place! At Door Power, we know selecting the best garage door to fit your needs and your home’s exterior design can be confusing. Should you go with a timeless, classic design? Or wait, what about sleek and modern? What kind of material should you choose? Do you need insulation? Is that just a marketing ploy? And what about color?! We know you’ve got questions, and fortunately, we’ve got some answers. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of what you should consider when scoping out your new door.
All Garage Door Materials Are Not Created Equal
One of your most important considerations when planning your new garage door installation is the type of material you’d prefer. Don’t know anything about garage door materials? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a quick breakdown of your options:
● Wood. Oh-so-classic, wood has long been a material of choice due to its versatility and aesthetic appeal. That said, wood garage doors are prone to warping and damage, which means you’ll need to be diligent about proper maintenance.
● Wood composite. A modern take on classic wood, wood composite doors feature a solid wood frame that typically has a fiberboard overlay. Their appearance is strikingly similar to traditional wood, but their price point is far lower. Again, you’ll need to be diligent about routine maintenance if you choose this material
● Steel. If you’re looking for longevity and substantial insulation, steel doors are a great choice. They’re fully customizable, so you can select the aesthetic details that best suit your home’s exterior design. Even better, steel is super low maintenance, but it does have one drawback: it’s prone to denting. If you’re careful though, a steel door will last in excess of 20 years.
● Fiberglass. Fiberglass is more dent resistant than steel, but it’s not great as far as insulation goes. That said, if you’d like to add insulation to a fiberglass door, you typically have that option. This material also does well in the longevity department, typically lasting 15-30 years with very little maintenance.
● Aluminum. Aluminum is another popular material choice due to its durability and longevity. The material is thinner than steel, which means it may dent more easily, but on the flip side, it’s also less prone to rusting. Like steel, aluminum garage doors are fully customizable and can even be made to look like real wood.
● Vinyl. Often referred to as “kid-proof,” vinyl garage doors are virtually dent resistant, so they’re a great choice if you have young children or are prone to accidental bumper run-ins. This material bears a striking resemblance to fiberglass and offers impressive longevity with little maintenance.
Insulation & Energy Efficiency
If your garage shares one or more walls with any of your living spaces, such as your living room or bedrooms, it’s a good idea to select an insulated door. Adequate garage door insulation will help maintain a more comfortable temperature within those rooms and help you cut down on your heating and cooling costs. Even better, insulated garage doors tend to operate more quietly than their non-insulated counterparts, so you’ll make less of a racket when you leave for the day.
Keep in mind, though, that insulated garage doors tend to be on the pricier end of the spectrum. If you have your heart set on improving your home's energy efficiency, you’ll need to factor that extra cost into your garage door installation budget.
Designing Your Exterior Aesthetic
Last but definitely not least, do you know which style of door you want? What type of design best complements your exterior aesthetic? When it comes to choosing a garage door style, your options are almost endless. You can select from:
● Classic, raised-panel garage doors. Raised-panel doors are the tried-and-true, standby design that complements just about any home exterior. This style is perhaps the most common garage door found in neighborhoods throughout the country.
● Clean and contemporary garage doors. Modern, sleek door designs add a touch of sophistication and class to mid-century modern and contemporary exterior designs.
● Unique, carriage-style doors. Also referred to as barn-style doors, these designs feature distinctive paneling and lend a rustic feel to mission- or craftsman-style home exteriors.
In the Market for a New Garage Door? Contact Door Power Today
At Door Power, we’re committed to helping you find the perfect garage door to fit your needs. And, once you’ve found it, our garage door installation team will ensure a seamless, stress-free install. Since our founding in 1967, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners just like you install and maintain their garage doors, and we’d love to make you our next fully satisfied client. To learn more about our services, give our team a call at 952-467-3199 or leave us a message on our contact page. For your convenience, you can also request your free estimate online!