When it comes to residential overhead garage doors, there are many options for homeowners to choose from and each type offers its own set of benefits. Some garage doors are more energy efficient, while others offer better finishes. Do a little digging online and you’ll soon discover that there are numerous garage door models that vary in style, material, design, and color options.
Why You Need to Choose the Right Garage Door For Your Home
Selecting the right garage door that suits your home is important because it will provide your vehicles and stored valuables the security you need, grant you easy access to your garage, and renew the look of your property’s external appearance, which increases the value of your home. By choosing the best residential overhead garage door for your home, you will gain instant curb appeal and be sure to stand out in your neighborhood.
Garage Door Improvements
Chances are you are in the market for a durable garage door that will last for years that is able to withstand a range of weather conditions. Consider the ways in which you use your garage. Does your garage function as an extra room, office, or workshop? If the answer is yes, you’ll want to make sure your garage is properly insulated to keep you warm in the winter months. Residential overhead garage doors are now manufactured with more durable materials than ever before to last longer, be more energy efficient, and ultimately to help save you more money. These high-tech devices offer high-performance insulation to ensure that your cars, bikes, sporting equipment, tools, and other stored supplies are better protected. Installing a new garage door for your home allows you to get a solid return on your investment. In fact, a Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report found that a new garage door can increase the value of a home by almost $3000. Not only are you adding aesthetic appeal, but you are also increasing the financial value of your property.
To help you decide on the type that is the best fit for your home, let’s explore four classic garage door options below.
Insulated/Non-insulated Garage Doors
Choosing whether to purchase insulated or non-insulated garage doors depends on the layout of your home, your home’s location, and what purpose your garage functions as. Insulated garage doors have two layers of steel with insulation between the layers and are thicker and more energy efficient than non-insulated doors. Because of this dual layer of steel, an insulated door provides more strength and makes it more resistant to dents. Insulated garage doors are the perfect option for residents that want a climate-controlled environment.
Consider the blueprint of your home. If your garage is attached to your home, insulated doors are the best option. Is there a room located directly above the garage? If so, buying an insulated garage door will help keep the room above the garage warm. If your home resides in a part of the country that experiences severe winters or harsh summer heat, you will probably want to purchase an insulated garage door. If the garage serves as a man cave, workshop, or home office, you or your family probably spend a lot of time there and will want something insulated to keep in the heat and reduce the outside noise.
However, all of the benefits that come with an insulated garage door bring a higher cost. If you are looking to purchase a more inexpensive garage door, you may consider buying non-insulated garage doors. Keep in mind that non-insulated doors may come with a lower price tag, but they also are less durable, and not as energy efficient compared to their insulated garage door counterparts.
Steel Garage Doors
Steel garage doors have become a popular choice because they are strong, relatively inexpensive, and require little maintenance on the part of the homeowner. This material provides the ultimate in security, so consider this option if you store your cars, trucks, motorcycles, sporting/hunting/camping gear, yard equipment, or high-end tools. New, state-of-the-art steel garage doors are durable. Advancements in technology now allow for embossing metals with wood-grain patterns and coatings that can rival the look of wood without the need for repair due to harsh weather conditions that can cause paint to peel from classic wooden garage doors. In fact, if you choose this option, you won’t have to worry about the doors falling apart because of rain, hail, snow, or from the extreme heat of the sun. That’s because steel doors won’t warp, crack, or delaminate. Keep in mind that steel garage doors can dent and be more difficult to repair. Premium-quality steel doors are insulated and will help regulate the temperature of your garage as the seasons change. This upgraded material also makes the door lighter, quieter, and easier to operate.
Aluminum Garage Doors
Aluminum garage doors are softer than steel, making them easier to emboss and design. Although they are very lightweight, aluminum doors are durable. Because the doors are not as heavy as steel or wooden doors, there is less strain put on the springs and tracks, which improves the longevity of the aluminum garage doors. Aluminum doors will not rust, which is important if you live around salt and moisture. Like steel garage doors, aluminum doors are relatively inexpensive; however, they, too, can be easily dented. Take into account your household activities and those of the neighborhood in which you reside. Are there a lot of little kids who frequently ride bikes near your house? Are you constantly moving supplies and tools in and out of your garage, increasing the chances that the door could be dented? Do you live in an area with a lot of hailstorms or high winds? It’s important to consider your family’s routine, living situation, and climate conditions when deciding to choose an aluminum garage door.
Garage Doors with Windows/Glass Panels
To significantly increase your home’s curb appeal, another option is to go with residential overhead garage doors that feature windows or glass panels. The addition of windows or glass panels to a garage door gives it a modern decorative accent. They add contrast to your garage door, giving it an appealing look. You can customize the appearance of your garage door by choosing from an array of glass panels varying in sizes and shapes. Another added benefit is that these window sections create an opening for daylight to pour into an otherwise dark garage. This provides added natural light and heat to the garage’s interior, which can save you money by reducing your utility costs.
Be mindful that windows are less stable than a solid door, but tempered glass panels can easily stop the glass from breaking due to random yard waste flung in the air from your lawn mower. As for security concerns, most garage windows are too high up for a passerby or neighbor to take a peek inside your garage, so you don’t need to worry about your valuables being visible to the neighborhood. Overall, garage doors with windows or decorate glass panels create instant curb appeal. With this option, you’ll be able to match your garage door to the beauty of your home by reflecting the warm colors of a morning sunrise or evening sunset through the window panels of your garage door.
If you are in the market for a residential overhead garage door, we have highlighted some of the more popular types for you to choose from. Still have questions or are not sure which one will work best for your home? Contact us today and let our professionals help you pick the one that suits you and your home best!