The garage door is an important part of your home, and yet, it is something we don’t really notice when we live in the home. The garage door is actually a great convenience. It helps keep rain, sleet snow and wind out of your home, away from your car and keeps you healthy by keeping you out of the inclement weather during the cooler seasons.
When we push a button the garage door opens, push it again and it closes. It is a home improvement invention that is very useful, but unfortunately most garage doors only last for about 20 years, which means that at some point this door needs to be replaced.
Replacing a garage door means you need to make your selection with care. Keep in mind that a garage door is more than just a door. It is a device that makes your life safer and more convenient. It needs to be dependable and made of quality materials. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right door.
Garage Door Size
Before purchasing a new door you need to check the size of the door opening. Your measurements need to be exact. It is essential you get the right size or it won’t work. Measure the width of the opening from side to side and then measure the height of the opening. These measurements will tell you what kind of door you want to start shopping for. Of course, there are standard garage door sizes for most opening sizes, even so you still need to know the size before you decide to order the garage door of your choice.
Consider Cost
If you want to get a return on your investment when you sell your home then you want to purchase an attractive door but one that is not so expensive that you cannot get an approximate 60% return on your investment. An attractive garage door can cost about $2000 and comes with an automatic door opener and web integration.
Garage Door Materials
One of the determining factors of the cost of your door is the material it is made from. There are several choices available. These include:
Wood – a traditional garage door material that can make the house very attractive. Plus wood doors are easy to paint and add more insulation to your home. However wood is also prone to rot, cracking and termite infestations. So you must take these factors into consideration.
Steel – a Material that can be made to look like wood. The benefit to steel is that it doesn’t crack or warp and can keep your home warmer because of its insulation. The problem with steel doors is that they can dent easily and that could affect your curb appeal.
Aluminum – The benefit is that manufacturers can add different designs. It is also insulated but won’t rust like steel doors do.
Fiberglass – These doors are lighter than others which means they are easy to open and close. They won’t crack or warp either and are harder to dent than steel. However, they are not as insulated as well. They yellow with age and are difficult to paint.
Consider Style
The final thing you want to consider is the style of the door. Today, there are a ton of options to choose from. You can even get a door with windows. The only limitation you might have is your imagination and your budget. You can choose from an old wooden panel door to a full glass garage door. Best of all manufacturers usually make a variety of standard garage door sizes and there is bound to be one for the size of your opening.
