A garage door takes up a large proportion of the area. It has a big visual impact so you need to choose the right design, style, material and color. You can find traditional as well as contemporary designs. Select a design that complements your home architecture. There are many things to consider before selecting a particular type of garage door.
Function
Do you plan to use your garage as an extension of your living space? The purpose may be to use it as workshop, laundry room, children's play area or hobby area. In such a case, a lot more interior planning is needed. The space must be comfortable. You will need proper insulation in the garage doors. For moderate temperature, buy a door with a minimum of 3 R value. In harsh climate area, select a door with higher R value that can go up to 10. You can install a simple door without insulation if the place will be used only to park the vehicle.
Material
Garage doors are available in wood, steel, aluminum, composite wood and fiberglass. The wood doors can be used in both traditional and contemporary houses. There are ornate style raised panel designs that have a classic old look. Wood doors can be painted or stained. Steel doors are less expensive than the wood doors. Aluminum doors can have faux wood texture. There is no problem of corrosion with fiberglass door. It is resistant to harsh effects of salt water climate, making it suitable for coastal areas. However, it is lightweight and has poor insulation property.
Construction
Steel doors for garage can be installed in single, double or triple layer construction. A single door is made from a single galvanized steel sheet. It is the most economical option. Double layer garage doors have polyurethane or polystyrene backing that provides good insulation and soundproofing. Triple layer doors have an additional metal sheet skin from the inside. Higher R value can be achieved with thicker insulation.
A flush panel has flat design and slightly textured surface. Long raised panel has a single raised panel design. Short raised panels have intricate trim and can have two or more raised panel design. Contrasting colors can be used to paint the flat and sloped parts differently.
Size
The garage door opening must be measured properly before buying any product. Take help of a professional garage door installer to accurately measure the garage door opening. It helps select right size door. Check out this webpage to learn more.
Most homeowners use remote controlled garage doors. These doors have electrical and electronic components. Such products should be selected carefully after checking various specifications. A good looking garage door helps increase the curb appeal of your home. It increases sales and rental value of your property. Consult a professional installer before buying any product for your garage door. You do not want to buy items that are not needed or which do not fit with other door components.
