Installing a new garage door is a crucial decision. It could complement your lavish house or it could answer your need for functionality and simplicity. Here are easy tips to follow in finding the right choice:
1. Consider your Budget
Every house is unique. It can be contemporary, classic or modern. You can match the new garage door to the design of your house or you choose something that would complement your needs. Decide on your options so you will know how much to spend on it. Once you have determined your budget figure out what style to buy and how much each style would cost.
Listed here is the least price range to the highest price range. Evaluate and consider what suits your budget.
-
Steel Garage Door
This garage door offers the least expensive prices but offers the widest range of options to choose from. You can select single-layered, premium-three layered or insulated polyurethane double-door. A 16-by-7 double door price range from a cheap $800 to a high $4,000. You can also choose from a wide range of colors.
-
Composite Wood Garage Door
This garage door is composed of sturdy materials that need low maintenance but looks like real wood. It is also resistant to moisture and won’t deteriorate for a long time. It won’t split, shrink or rot. A 16-by-7 double door cost from $1,200 to $2,400.
-
Wood Garage Door
Nothing compares to the characteristic look of natural wood. If you have enough budget you can choose from an elegant but expensive selection. Manufacturers use cypress, cedar or redwood because they are resistant to moisture. Take into consideration also the fact that wood doors need more maintenance than other materials. A 16-by-7 double door cost from $1,500 to $5,000.
-
Aluminum Garage Door
If you live in an environment that requires you to buy a rust-proof garage door choose an aluminum garage door. Its price range is higher than other garage doors. You can’t get one below the range of $1,600 to $2,400.
-
Insulated Garage Doors
The standard size for an insulated garage door is 9’ft. wide and 7’ft. high. This would cost $1,000 to $2,200 excluding the installation cost.
Ask your garage door installation company if the price given to you included the installation fee. Most companies offer a complete package of the garage door, accessories, and installation fee.
2. Environment and Safety Factors
When choosing a new garage door consider also the safety and risk factors. The weather of your environment is one thing to consider. If you live in a place where extreme winds and hurricanes are frequent make sure you buy one that can endure the harsh elements of nature. Check on your installer for an additional bracing needed for that extra protection and other essential attachments to withstand high winds. Select a door that is made of sturdy material. If the sun would hit the direction of your garage door the whole day then better choose an insulated door. It can control the temperature inside. Inquire also for a model that is pre-manufactured to withstand these harsh elements. They come cheaper than installing a new attachment to the original door.
3. Aesthetic Aspect of the Garage Door.
A homeowner’s first consideration in building his house is the over-all aesthetic look of the building. Most important is the exterior of the house. Most often the garage is situated in this part. Garage door companies nowadays offer a wide variety of models to choose from. You can select one that complements the appeal of your house. There are also beautifully designed models that can express or fulfill your functional requirement.
There are styles of home garage doors that should be taken into consideration when looking for a garage door compliment.
Pick a match from your style of home and the style of your garage door.
- A classic house would need a classic-look garage door. Symmetric rectangular panels give the garage door a clean classic look.
- If your house is contemporary you can choose a garage door with an originally-inspired, ancient homey look.
- A craftsman house is described as beautiful, simple and rustic. You may want a garage door that is also simple, rustic and with a countryside look.
- Cottage homes are smaller in size and have living space on the ground floors and sleeping places on the upper levels. This house would also require small garage doors with a provincial look.
4. Types of Popular Garage Doors According to Opening
One important thing to consider is the opening of a garage door. Spaces may be limited to the owner and he has the options to choose which garage door opening to acquire to suit the space available for his garage.
Here are popular types of garage doors according to opening:
-
Side-hinged garage doors
This is the traditional door. They open from the center and are hinged on the sides.
-
Sectional Garage door
These doors are connected with hinges and have several section panels.
-
Roll-up Garage doors
This door rolls from the floor up to the ceiling. They are more expensive but are good in places with limited ceiling space.
-
Slide to the Side Garage doors
This is a door that bends to one side of the garage and sits parallel to the wall. It is good for garages with little headroom.
5. Contact Garage Door Installation Companies and Acquire Full Information
After you have decided on how much is your budget, what type of material you need or whether or not you buy an insulated garage door, you can contact the company that installs garage doors.
A garage door installation is important as buying the garage door itself. Check if the company offers both.
Check if the prices include the installation fee or not. If the brochures disclose that the fees are separate ask for a combined sum of the installation and the garage door itself. You may also request to add-on any attachments you may specify so you will know how much all-in-all the amount you need to pay for the whole package.
Estimates are usually rendered for free.
Contact at least 3 to 5 garage door installation companies. This way you can compare prices and choose from a wide range of selection.
Ask for their product brochures. It’s easy to compare models and prices when you have product brochures.
Check on the availability of your requirements. One company might have that or might not or you may find it in another company.
6. Consider what attachments or add-ons you need for your garage door
-
Garage-door Opener
Do you need a garage door opener?
Before deciding on a new garage door consider first if you need a garage door opener.
Decide also what type of door-opener you may need. It can be belt-drive, chain drive or screw-drive openers. Having a garage door-opener prevents garage door accidents. A homeowner who goes away from home can be confident that house-breakers will be driven away with a door that has a functional door-opener. Thieves are discouraged to break into a home if they know it has a garage door opener. -
Wireless Remote-Control Gadget
Garage door companies nowadays offer doors that can be operated remotely and controlled by a remote-control gadget. It will be more convenient to open and close your garage door.
Browse, analyze and decide from the garage door companies’ product catalog which one best suit your personal need.
Make a summary of your decisions out of this checklist:
- How much is your budget for the installation of your new garage door?
Is it worthwhile to spend on an expensive door that meets your specific personal needs? - Can the product material you choose withstand your neighborhood’s weather?
Is the risk big enough to let this factor influence your decision? - Does the garage door complement your house design or fulfill your functional and aesthetic needs?
- Is the beauty of the garage door and its complement to your house enough gratification to make a luxurious choice?
- Would the product availability of 3 to 5 companies supply what you need in installing your garage door? If your answer is no look for other companies. Remember, most often estimates are given for free.
- Have you considered what add-ons you need for your garage door installation?
- Does the garage door company assure you the availability and speed of their installation?
After answering this checklist you will be ready to have your new garage door installed. Along with your house design your garage door is also a lifetime choice.
The luxury of choosing your new garage door is yours to enjoy. Take your time and choose carefully. Your garage door is the entry to your beloved home. Indulge in the luxury of your chosen unit. Spending on it with delight and extravagance will give you the benefit of ultimate comfort and enjoyment.
