Thinking about installing a new garage door? It’s an investment you naturally want to make carefully. The average American buys a new garage door once every 20 to 30 years, maybe once or twice in a lifetime. What’s the best garage door for you?
This guide will walk you through how to choose the perfect garage door for your taste and budget.
Choosing a Garage Door Style
When it comes to garage doors, there are many styles to choose from. These include:
- classic style
- carriage style
- modern style
The classic style is the most common. You have your choice in colors, materials, and insulation. It’s a fairly affordable choice.
The carriage style is designed to look like a carriage house door, named for the old fashioned buildings that literally housed a horse and carriage. These doors are becoming increasingly popular because of their sophistication and elegance.
Modern styles are trendy and very popular in California.
Choosing a Garage Door Material
When it comes to materials for your garage door, you generally can choose from the following:
- Wood
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Fiberglass
- Vinyl
Fiberglass and vinyl are affordable and fairly easy to maintain. Wood and steel are highly durable. The beauty of wood is its natural appeal but it’s expensive. You might consider a wood composite door if you like the natural look of wood but want to save some money. Wooden doors do require more maintenance as they will need to be periodically sanded and painted.
Should You Insulate Your Garage Door?
Don’t assume you don’t need an insulated garage door if you live in a relatively warm climate like Roseville, California. The truth is an insulated garage door keeps the hot out as well as the cold. This can substantially save on cooling costs if the garage is attached to the house.