A New garage door is an excellent way to give your house a lift in curb appeal. It also increases resale value and may help reduce energy costs. But deciding what kind to buy can be confusing, especially with the number of options available and their varying price tags. The best approach is to consider your needs and the look you want and then find a model that fits those criteria.
What is the most popular style of garage door?
A garage door makes up a large part-up to 30 percent-of your home’s front façade, so it’s important that it look good and complement your home. Fortunately, there are many choices in style, color and material that make it easy to get a door that looks great and blends in with your home’s architecture and the surrounding landscape.
The most important consideration is the material that the door is made of. Steel, fiberglass and aluminum offer durability, but they all can rust or corrode over time. Wood provides beauty, but it’s vulnerable to moisture and insect damage. Composites combine the best of both worlds: the look of wood with less maintenance.
Another factor is the climate in which you live. A garage door that’s well insulated can keep your garage warmer in winter and cooler in summer, helping you save on energy bills.
Most companies sell doors that are rated according to their insulation and weather resistance. For example, the Therma Tech and Therma Safe lines from Hormann are average priced doors that include 3-layer steel with polystyrene insulation sandwiched between the outer and inner layers to create an R-Value of 8.9 or 7.4. Some manufacturers also offer additional features like windows (clear, frosted, tinted or mirrored) for visual interest, as well as smart technology that lets you control your door from your phone or smart device.