So, you are in the market to buy a home or maybe make your own. You’ve probably thought of the basics, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the yard, and whether there is a need for a basement, attic, or both. All of which are fair to consider. However, many soon to be homeowners overlook one major aspect of the home, the garage.

What seems to be important is whether or not there is a garage to park their car, for extra storage space or possibly a workshop. Homeowners often ignore the essence of the garage door which plays a vital part in how functional the garage is and the overall aesthetics of the home. The door is also an additional entry point into your home which means it has to be strong and secure. 

But shopping for a door isn’t easy with so many different types and material available. You also have to consider the technology which can make it tough on you to select the perfect garage door. Our guide will help you in your selection to ensure you get the most aesthetically appealing and durable garage door for your new home.

Types of Garage Door

One of the first aspects of the door you must consider is the type of the opening mechanism of the door. There are four popular types which you will come across in homes. These are:

Sectional: This type of door has multiple sections which roll-up. The sections are connected with hinges. For the opening and closing mechanism, the door panel utilizes wheels which roll up and down at the edge of the door panel. The hinges of each section bend as it rolls up due to the panel track being curved. You will find most sectional doors employ steel and can find these in various configurations with or without windows or different door material. Sectional garage doors are the most common type of doors.

Roll up: While residential homes previously didn’t commonly use roll-up doors, they are now generating interest from homeowners. Roll-up doors have been and still are more commonly used for commercial spaces especially retail shops. These are ideal for garages with limited ceiling space as the door rolls up directly above the door opening. The door is durable and designed specifically for heavy usage. 

Slide to the side: The slide to the side doors operate exactly as the name suggests, rather than rolling up, they slide to one side of the garage. It is one of the oldest types of garage door that is still available. This is another option for garages that don’t have a lot of ceiling space as the door slides against the wall of the garage. 

Tilt-up and over retractable: These doors function similar to sectional doors but don’t have as many sections, usually just three. The door retracts up and down with the help of frames on the ceiling and side of the door. They are more difficult to operate and you usually find these in manual configuration rather than automatic.

The Material Used for Garage Doors

The material of the door determines its durability and the aesthetic appeal of the garage. Which is why most people focus on material over other mechanisms of the door. 

Steel: Steel doors are inexpensive and don’t require a lot of maintenance. The material is durable so you won’t have to deal with a lot of damages either. You do, however, need to take care of scratches or dents that may occur otherwise there is a chance of the door catching rust. You can also find steel base doors with an overlay of fiberglass to avoid rust. Overall, this is a common material used for homeowners that need a durable door that will last a lifetime. 

Translucent aluminium: This material is now commonly used and makes the door appear like translucent window panels with an aluminium frame. These are light-weight and emit light at night when the lights inside the garage are left open, so have a completely different appeal when compared to other materials. If you have a Victorian-style home, these will add a bit of sophistication to your garage, which most homeowners tend to ignore but contributes heavily to the aesthetic of the home.

Wood: Wooden doors have a certain charm that no other material does. Which is why they are becoming more popular with homeowners. Wood is also durable as long as it is maintained. The price of the door varies depending on the size and type of wood you opt for but these can be costly. But if you care about your garage door not taking anything away from the aesthetics of your home then wood is your option.

Door Configuration

The configuration of the door depends on the opening space of the garage. For wide garages, you have double doors and smaller ones, single. With double doors, you have the option to raise and lower the doors all at once. This is ideal for larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs. Single doors are smaller which means they are lighter. If the opener of a double door garage fails, it will be difficult for you to manually open the door due to the strength required while single doors are easier to open manually. 

Door Features

The features of the door contribute to how it functions or add another dimension to it. 

Insulated: For homes in a cooler climate, insulation might be important to ensure that items in the garage don’t get too cold as the temperature drops. You may have a completely insulated garage and decide to skip the door but cold air can easily seep through the door which will immediately drop the temperature inside the garage. Insulation would be needed to protect the items in the garage, think of it as winterizing your garage door. 

Windows: For anyone that uses their garage for work, windows are pretty much a necessity. They bring in natural light and liven up the garage. Lights just don’t compare to natural light. Windows also add to the overall appeal of the garage door. 

Picking the Right Garage Door for Your Home

When it comes to picking the perfect garage door for your home, whether you are buying a home or building one from scratch, you need to consider the following:

1. How often you will use the garage?

2. What you will use the garage for?

3. The weather in the location your home will be in.

For those that plan on using their garage doors multiple times during the day a sectional or rollup steel door would be the best option. If you care more about how the door adds to the aesthetics of your home, then a wooden door of any type would be your best bet. You need to figure out what the overall purpose of the garage will be to determine the best door for your home.

Author Bio: Ran Keller is an experienced handyman who’s been working for Elite Garage Door Of Tacoma for 10 years. When he’s not fixing garage doors, he likes to share his repair ideas and knowledge with others. 

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