Types of Garage Doors: Styles, Materials, Options
A garage door is a large part of your home. It’s part of the home’s curb appeal, but it’s so much more than looks. You want it to add value and function to your home. Choosing the right type garage door for your home is a multifaceted process that involves numerous factors including the material, finish and style.
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Understanding Garage Door Styles and Opening Mechanisms
The term garage door is a very general one. Within that term is a lot of detail – material, style, functionality, finish, insulation, privacy, etc. It’s important to know what type of door you want, and what materials are available with the look you want. Obviously, it’s also crucial to consider your budget as you decide what is best for your home.
When you say garage door, this is what most people think of. It is the most common door style and consists of single horizontal panels that slide up and parallel to the garage ceiling when opened.
These are more popular for commercial properties, but involve steel or fiberglass material being rolled by a motor to open and close.
Whereas a side-hinged door opens from the side, a tilt-up door opens from above the garage. The door opens as one single piece, so make sure you’re parked far enough away to not damage your car or the door.
This is more commonly referred to as carriage-house style. It is where the garage door opens as a single piece from the middle and is connected to the structure on the outside of the opening.
These operate similarly to a barn door, sliding along a track above the garage. They provide a rustic aesthetic, but are heavy and can be difficult to reattach if they get off-track.
Garage Door Materials: Options for Every Need and Budget
Steel garage doors are a very popular choice because of their strength and durability. They can be finished in various ways to accentuate your home. They also can be customized to add insulation for energy efficiency.
It’s hard to beat the classic look of a real wood garage door, and they can be customized in many ways to enhance the curb appeal of any home. But they also tend to be a little more expensive and have more maintenance upkeep than other materials.
Lightweight and highly resistant to corrosion, aluminum garage doors are great for coastal areas and can be finished in numerous ways to give you the look you desire. They are prone to denting, however, so be aware of that.
Upscale, modern and trendy, glass garage doors are built with a steel or aluminum frame and can add a lot of natural light to your garage. It’s important to consider how much privacy you want with this type of garage door, and that will influence the type of glass you use.
Composite or Vinyl garage doors can be considered to be the best combination of wood and steel. They are blended materials and can provide the real wood look many like with the low maintenance needs of a steel garage door.
Low maintenance and durable. Those are two things homeowners love to hear, and it’s exactly what fiberglass garage doors are. They are resistant to moisture, insects and rot, but on the other hand lack the same amount of insulation as steel or wood doors.
Specialized Garage Door Styles and Designs
Carriage House Doors
A classic look, these barn style garage doors swing open from the middle. They often have windows and a wood-look finish, but they are pricey.
Contemporary Garage Doors
These sleek modern garage doors can be heavy on windows or be adorned with decorative hardware. They can be minimalist or extravagant, depending on the look you’re going for.
Custom Garage Doors
Maybe you want to combine certain elements from various styles to create your own. It’s easy! Most installers have the ability to customize a door as much as your heart and wallet will allow.
Insulation and Energy Efficiency in Garage Doors
If you hear the term ‘R-value’ in relation to garage doors, it simply means the thermal efficiency of the garage door to resist the transfer of heat. In addition to savings on your energy bill with an insulated garage door, it also helps cut down on noise from the outside and helps by not exposing your car to outside elements.
While a real wood garage door has the most natural insulation of materials, it also is more expensive and needs more upkeep. Many of the other materials used to construct a garage door (steel, vinyl, composite, etc.) can be customized with more insulation – for a cost – to aid energy efficiency.
Choosing the Right Garage Door: Key Considerations
With so many options for a new garage door, it can be overwhelming as you aim to make the best choice. It’s important to consider the weather conditions of your area, the style of your home and perhaps most importantly, your budget and the long-term value of the garage door.
It’s important to know the maintenance needs for each type of door, and if a certain material is better for your location.
To answer these questions and any others, be sure to use a quality company with a long history in helping customers find the right garage door for them. To help, call Garage.com any time to connect with top-rated companies that are ready to respond.
Common Questions About Types of Garage Doors
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