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:
Steel: Popular because it is highly customizable, durable and budget friendly, steel’s primary drawback is poor insulation — which can be solved with double-layered steel.
Aluminum: Easily dented and a poor insulator, aluminum is generally for the budget minded. On the plus side, it’s light and paintable.
Wood: Yes, there’s upkeep involved, but wooden garage doors make a design statement few other materials do and thus are frequently atop lists of the latest garage door trends. Modern wood products resist rotting and splitting and can be designed to complement any home style. Plus, wood is a great insulator.
Fiberglass: Popular on the coasts for its resistance to salt corrosion, fiberglass is light and resists denting. If you need insulation, however, a foam core will be necessary.
Energy Efficiency & Insulation
Garage temperatures can vary wildly whether they’re a conditioned space or not. Especially when attached to your home, a garage door should keep warm air in during cold months and cool air in when it’s hot outside.
Your home’s comfort and energy consumption are easier to regulate with an insulated garage door. Failing to install a properly insulated door could lead to costly additional work in the future.
CMB’s Services
You’re probably going to buy one or two garage doors in your life. We sell them every day. This garage door selection guide is part of CMB’s mission to take you through the process to the best door for you to buy, not the easiest door for us to sell.
When you contact CMB, you can be confident we’ll have your best interests in mind. Our garage door installation services will provide a customized, cost-effective solution for your home.
From our initial consultation through your product selection, preinstallation inspection, installation and operating tutorial, you’ll get the benefit of our experience, professionalism and customer service skills honed over 20+ years in the business. Our highly trained technicians can help with maintenance issues and repairs no matter where your door or opener came from.
Whatever your garage door goals, reach out to us today and let our experts guide you to the perfect solution for your home and budget.
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