Garage Door Buying Guide

No matter how you use it, the garage door should be strong and secure to keep your things safe.

Though most garages are designed to house a car, most also serve as a storeroom for various other things. No matter how you use it, the garage door should be strong and secure to keep your things safe. However, security isn’t the only consideration when choosing a garage door; the aesthetic appeal of the garage door is also an important factor. Below is a guide that covers everything you need to know (and do) when shopping for a garage door.

The Garage Door Construction

Garage doors can be made from many different materials. For example, there are garage doors made from steel, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and composite materials.

Fiberglass garage doors are characteristically lightweight and translucent and offer better resistance to the effects of salt air. That is why fiberglass doors are often chosen for places where light transmission is important and near corrosive ocean climates.

The downside is that fiberglass is a poor insulator, yellows with age, and is easy to break, especially during frigid weather conditions.

Steel garage doors are the strongest of them all. Yes, they are stronger and more secure than aluminum, fiberglass, and wood. And, due to new technologies that make it possible to emboss metals with wood-grain patterns, steel garage doors can nowadays be made to look like wood—but without the maintenance headaches.

Steel doors have a reputation for standing up to the elements. They also don’t warp, lose their lamination, or crack. Plus, most feature a baked-on polyester finish, which means they are not susceptible to rusting and do not require regular repainting as often as wooden garage doors.

The downside, however, is that steel garage doors dent and are challenging to repair.

Aluminum garage doors are similar to steel garage doors in that they can also enjoy wood-grain embossing and durable finishes. Aluminum garage doors are fairly popular because they are lightweight, do not easily rust, and are comparably inexpensive.

Lastly, there are doors made from wood. People who prefer all-wood garage doors do so because of their natural look and affordability. But there are people who give wood garage doors a wide berth because wood expands, contracts, and can bend and crack as it weathers. Thus, wooden garage doors require a lot of maintenance, such as refinishing and repainting every few years.

Insulated Garage Door Vs. Non-insulated Garage Door

Choosing whether to buy an insulated garage door or a non-insulated garage door will depend on the climate in your area, whether there is a living space attached to the garage, and how often you use the garage.

Insulated garage doors are crucial if a living space is attached to the garage or if you use the garage room as a workspace. If the garage is attached to the home or living space, the air in the garage can pass through the doorway to the living area. Thankfully, if the door is insulated, it will minimize the impact of outside temperatures on your living area. If you use the garage area as a workspace, the garage door will help to reduce temperature fluctuations in the garage room. An insulated door is typically quieter and features a more attractive interior than an ordinary non-insulated one.

But if you are using the garage room primarily for storing your car and other equipment and it is not attached to any living space, then there is no need to incur the expense of procuring an insulated garage door. A non-insulated garage door will still serve you well if that is the case.

Garage Door Sizes and Styles

First, measure the height, width, and thickness of the garage door area to determine what size you need.

Then, consider the style. It is great to choose a style that complements your house’s exterior. Window panels are a fantastic way to include a personal touch to the garage door.

The panel design can also add a personal style to the garage door. You have four panel designs to choose from: flush panels, carriage house panels, long raised panels, and short raised panels. Flush panels are often flat and slightly textured and can complement the surrounding wall area without drawing too much attention to the garage door itself. Long raised panels add depth and distinction to the door while improving the overall home aesthetic. Short, raised panels also add depth to the door and are suitable for vintage-style homes.

Safety

Safety is a very important consideration when shopping for the right garage door. In this sense, safety comprises two main points: protecting the homeowner from injuries and protecting the home from burglars and other intruders.

Since so many homeowners keep valuables in their garages, many thieves understand that if they can break into the garage, they can get away with some loot. All garage doors should have mechanisms that prevent or minimize forced entry. At the very least, as a homeowner, you need a strong garage door. Remote control devices can also alleviate safety concerns because they make monitoring the door easy.

Garage doors have many standard safety features but look for additional ones if your door is unusual. For instance, if the garage door you buy swings out, then it should have safety features that can prevent sudden outward bursts, thus reducing the risk of someone’s fingers being caught in the door as they close it. If possible, get a garage door featuring polyurethane insulation. Polyurethane insulation significantly reduces the risk of fire.

Opener

There are many opener styles that homeowners can choose from. Garage door openers often come with wireless keypads, batteries, extra cases, three-function wall consoles, and up to three button transmitters. Homeowners should opt for openers that feature the longest range and a record of consistent, unfailing performance.

Other Factors

You need to consider other factors, such as the driveway space and the cost of the garage door. Cost shouldn’t be the only factor, as most high-cost garage doors offer the best security and safety. Buying a garage door may cost a fortune, but it performs very important functions: providing security and protecting your assets.

Need reliable garage door repair or installation services in Phoenix? Contact Lucky Boy Garage Door, your trusted experts. Let us keep your home secure and functional!