How to Choose a Garage Door

For many home owners the garage is an "extra room" where families can visit, play games, work on hobbies and much more. For others, it is used primarily for vehicle storage and a tool shed. Regardless of what you use your garage for, it is an important feature of your home and as such you will want to put some thought into the door selection.
5 Steps in Choosing a Garage Door
A garage door is an easy way to give your home a new look and there are many styles, types of materials and options to consider. Use these steps to make your garage door selection easier.

1. Determine your budget. Garage doors can be expensive, with wood and fiberglass doors being the most costly. Should you plan to have insulation added, then plan on an additional 10%. Of course, if you live in a region where winter temps often dip below the freezing point, or where typhoons or hurricanes are common, this extra expense is well worth it and will soon pay for itself in energy costs and peace of mind. Another added cost, is whether or not you want windows as part of the garage door. Also, when looking at the doors, be sure to ask about maintenance costs and warranties.
2. What's your style? Is your home reminiscent of the Old South? Then you may want to use recessed paneled doors. Does it have a modern flare? Then look at doors made of contemporary materials such as wood and copper or aluminum and glass or perhaps having panels that does not look like a garage door. You may even want to look around your neighborhood to see what style garage doors others have used. Doors can be made from wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and contemporary materials like glass, copper, or a combination of wood and zinc. You may also want to think about what color, if any, you would like for your garage door. Most doors come already finished in neutral colors, but you may wish to accent the other colors in your home's exterior.
3. Decide whether you want your door to roll-up or tilt when being opened. Tilting doors often allow moisture and debris into the garage but are cheaper in price. Roll up doors are composed of several sections, save on space, and are stronger, but they are more expensive.
4. Decide whether you want windows. Having windows can add style and break up the plain look of a door. You can select from curved, square rectangular or arched windows. However, keep in mind their placement in the garage door in regards to what can be seen through them from the outside.
5. How much maintenance do you have time for? Metal doors dent and show imperfections like scrapes caused by branches. Wood doors can accent your home's exterior features, but can be easily damaged if not maintained as per instructions; fiberglass doors are long-lasting but are not recommended in colder climates.

For additional information on garage doors, please visit www.premiumgaragedoorservice.com.
Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service.