There is never a convenient time for your garage door to malfunction. Whether it’s a refusal to open, a loud grinding noise, or a visible dent from a minor accident, you are immediately faced with a decision: can this be fixed, or do we need a new one? Making the right choice depends on safety, budget, and long-term value. We are here to help you navigate this common dilemma so you can restore security and convenience to your property without unnecessary expense.

A garage door treated as an afterthought gives the impression of a not particularly well-thought-out home. Consider that most homes built in this century have attached garages, and the doors thereof take up as much as 30% of the front facade. That’s a big chunk of curb appeal to be swallowed up by builder-grade blandness.

Garage doors, whether on residential or commercial property, are big, heavy and, when opened manually, awkward. It’s little wonder, then, that the invention of the electric opener followed the first overhead garage door within a few years of its introduction in 1921. Garage door safety, however, evolved more slowly. Only since the 1970s has an industry standard existed for garage door openers. In 1993 that standard became federal law.

Your home’s garage door is more than just something functional — it’s one of the focal points of your exterior, and an opportunity to feature a unique look that can enhance your curb appeal.

Your home’s garage door is more than just something functional — it’s one of the focal points of your exterior, and an opportunity to feature a unique look that can enhance your curb appeal. Design and construction have come a long way over the decades, and today’s popular garage doors blend aesthetics and functionality like never before. If you think you’re still limited to a plain steel door, think again. Homeowners today have a wide range of garage door ideas to choose from, giving them the chance to enhance the appearance of their properties and make life more convenient at the same time. You have your pick from numerous colors, styles and features to give you the exact door you need for your house. Read on to learn more about some of the latest garage door trends affecting the market today.

Make Way for Wood

One of the most popular trending garage doors right now is wood. A wooden garage door can be the crowning touch for the outside of your house because it ties together all the other wooden accents including door frames and windowsills. They bring a beautiful, natural look to your home, especially if you have an exterior dominated by darker colors.

Some of the most frequently used designs for wood doors are carriage house and mountain style, but there are many others available. If you want the appearance of wood without the upkeep, there are a number of faux wood doors on the market today. These materials are easier to clean and maintain, but still provide the same look and feel as their natural counterparts. Unlike real wood, they don’t need to be stained or painted every other year.

Garage doors, whether on residential or commercial property, are big, heavy and, when opened manually, awkward. It’s little wonder, then, that the invention of the electric opener followed the first overhead garage door within a few years of its introduction in 1921. Garage door safety, however, evolved more slowly. Only since the 1970s has an industry standard existed for garage door openers. In 1993 that standard became federal law.

Even so, given their size, power and potential for danger, garage door design must prioritize garage door safety. A responsible home or business owner must take seriously the idea of familiarizing family members or employees with garage door safety features.

The following garage door safety tips cover key components of and practical advice for using your overhead door openers.

Garage Door Auto-Reverse

Garage door auto-reverse has been standard on all garage door openers made since 1991. A sensor detects any resistance to the door’s downward travel and reverses direction. This feature can be tested by inserting an object — for example, a roll of paper towels — in the door’s path then attempting to close the door. If the door doesn’t reverse upon encountering the obstruction, consult a professional.

Insulating a garage for winter, above all, means knowing how to insulate your garage door. As the largest opening in the structure, the garage door invites temperature and moisture change, so it’s crucial to insulate your garage door before winter strikes. Fortunately, there are many realistic, cost-effective ways to protect your entire garage from the elements.

Any entry point to your garage is vulnerable to leaking air, which means it is therefore subject to losing warm air during the winter and cool air in the summer. It is important to remember that insulating a garage doesn’t always mean the usual things we think of — fiberglass batting and the like — when insulation is mentioned. Insulating means to prevent the transfer of something, such as air, heat or sound. When it comes to drafts, weather seals are perhaps one of the best ways to insulate a garage door. They’re also a frequently overlooked component when attempting to insulate a garage door. Thus, weather seals should be prioritized. Resolve those drafty entryways first. Then you can start thinking further about the how to insulate a garage door for winter.

Benefits of Insulating a Garage

On top of the obvious, there are numerous benefits of insulating a garage that are sometimes overlooked:

A garage door treated as an afterthought gives the impression of a not particularly well-thought-out home.

Consider that most homes built in this century have attached garages, and the doors thereof take up as much as 30% of the front facade. That’s a big chunk of curb appeal to be swallowed up by builder-grade blandness.

If you know what to look for in a garage door, you’re likely to get nearly all your money back when it’s time to sell your home. A 2019 study by a housing industry magazine showed garage door replacements have a higher return on investment — 97.5% — than any other home improvement project.

To realize that return, you need to make smart calls on budget, design and performance. Understanding the many residential garage door styles is a start. Take a look at this garage door buying guide, so you know what to ask when consulting with the pros.

What Is the Best Material for a Garage Door?

The best garage door material depends on your location, the function you want and your home’s style. What you should look for when buying a garage door should be a product that is cohesive with the architectural design of your home, delivers the performance you need and is appropriate for the environmental conditions. Any of the following door materials might be right for your situation:

Four or five times a day, on average, homeowners open and close their garage doors. Most give it no more thought than turning on a light — until pressing the button doesn’t work. Why? Garage door openers are more complicated than changing a lightbulb, and the prospect of troubleshooting potentially expensive if common garage door problems can be daunting.

They needn’t be. While some common garage door issues absolutely require a professional, some don’t. Whether it’s something simple like adjusting a sensor or something complex like replacing a part, CMB Garage Doors can provide the advice or service you need.

Common Garage Door Issues and How to Fix them

You can correct many minor garage door issues with basic DIY skills. Others are best remediated by a pro. Here are a few common problems and our suggestions for addressing them:

1. Worn Out Rollers/Bearings — Are you hearing a popping or squeaking when the door is in motion? Check your rollers and bearings. Squeaky bearings can often be resolved with proper lubrication. Worn rollers, which tend to “pop” as they move through the track, should be replaced.

2. Obscured or Broken Sensors — Electric eye sensors provide necessary safety, reversing downward doors when objects interrupt the connection between sensors. Even a leaf dangling from the bottom of a closing door can prevent the door from closing. Check antennas and sensors for dirt and debris, and check that sensors are aligned properly and at the right height (5-6 inches above the floor).

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Here’s a little myth-busting from inside the garage. That garage door opener of yours? It really isn’t opening anything.

Garage doors are heavy. That noisy chain (or quiet belt or fancy screw) would be out of luck without a torsion spring.

Typically running horizontally above the door on the inside of the garage, torsion springs are heavy-gauge steel wire coils that generate torque to counterbalance the garage door’s weight. Winding or unwinding as the door opens or closes, torsion springs ensure smooth operation when the door is in motion.

Unfortunately, even the best springs break. Reasons why garage door springs break are varied and include wear and tear, excessive rust, poor maintenance, or use of the wrong part. How often do garage door springs break? That depends on quality, use patterns, climate and maintenance, but a rule of thumb is 10,000 cycles — or about seven years averaging four uses per day.

Here’s a rundown of indications your spring may be broken and some notes on what to do when a garage door spring breaks.

Signs You Have a Broken Garage Door Spring

Descriptions about what happens when a garage door spring breaks can sound like cartoon sound effects. Some folks say it sound like a loud bang, snap or pop or like a firecracker going off. Then there are the shotgun blast and explosion descriptions.

Choosing an opener for your garage door goes beyond price. There are several types of garage door openers to choose from based on power, performance, sizing, advanced “smart” features and so on. As such, it’s important to know the differences and what you need to best suit your needs before you buy.

Below, we’ll go over the specifics of four different types of garage door openers to help you decide on the best type of garage door opener for your home.

Important Questions to Ask Before You Buy

1. How large and heavy is the garage door?

Determining these qualities is important to gauge horsepower. For instance, a heavy-duty or oversized garage door is going to need a one-horsepower opener. If, however, yours is a standard size, a half-horsepower opener should do the trick.

2. What tech-enabled features are important?

Opting for a more advanced system is going to give you additional features but at a higher cost. While browsing the various types of garage door remotes available, decide early if Wi-Fi-enabled features are important to you, such as video monitoring, live updates, remote open/close, etc.

3. Are there bedrooms or common living spaces close to the garage door?

Insulating a garage for winter, above all, means knowing how to insulate your garage door. As the largest opening in the structure, the garage door invites temperature and moisture change, so it’s crucial to insulate your garage door before winter strikes. Fortunately, there are many realistic, cost-effective ways to protect your entire garage from the elements.

Choosing an opener for your garage door goes beyond price. There are several types of garage door openers to choose from based on power, performance, sizing, advanced “smart” features and so on. As such, it’s important to know the differences and what you need to best suit your needs before you buy.

Here’s a little myth-busting from inside the garage. That garage door opener of yours? It really isn’t opening anything. Garage doors are heavy. That noisy chain (or quiet belt or fancy screw) would be out of luck without a torsion spring. Typically running horizontally above the door on the inside of the garage, torsion springs are heavy-gauge steel wire coils that generate torque to counterbalance the garage door’s weight. Winding or unwinding as the door opens or closes, torsion springs ensure smooth operation when the door is in motion.

Four or five times a day, on average, homeowners open and close their garage doors. Most give it no more thought than turning on a light — until pressing the button doesn’t work. Why? Garage door openers are more complicated than changing a lightbulb, and the prospect of troubleshooting potentially expensive if common garage door problems can be daunting.