Do your Homework before Investing in a Garage Door

by Jessica Ackerman

Investing in a new garage door can go a long way to improve the curb appeal of your home. Often one of the first impressions guests have of your home, the garage door can be a welcoming and attractive part of your overall outdoor design plan. 

There are many factors to consider when buying a new garage door, and with costs ranging from significant to extravagant, buying a garage door is not a chore that should be taken lightly. Planning ahead, knowing what your needs are and a little common sense will go a long way in helping you find the best deal and the best door for your money. 

As you are shopping for your new garage door, keep the following practical and aesthetic questions in mind. 

Practical Concerns

1. Budget. How much can you reasonably afford to spend? Set a spending cap and stick to it, no matter how much you may be swayed by a lovely but expensive feature on a showroom door. 

2. Garage Use. How do you use your garage? Do you park cars in all the available spaces or do you use part of your garage as a workshop or other area? If you spend more time than just going to and from your car in the garage, you may want to get an insulated garage door or insulate the door yourself with a kit after the new door is installed. Is it more practical for you to have individual doors for each garage bay, or one large door? 

3. Security. Do you have a garage door opener already? Can you afford to purchase a new one if your new door is not compatible with your old opener? Do you store expensive tools or hobby equipment in your garage? You may want to avoid windows, which might allow a nefarious individual to see all your wealth on display. Would you feel more secure if your garage door had more security friendly features? 

4. Labor costs. Installing a garage door is not a job for a beginner, and is a home improvement project best left to experts who are trained in how to hang garage doors properly. In addition to the cost, is there time available for a family member to be home while the door is being installed? 

Aesthetic Concerns

1. Does the new door fit with the style of your house? How about your neighbor’s houses? Are there any covenants in your neighborhood that forbid or encourage one particular style over another? A Victorian inspired garage door made from dark walnut with stained glass windows will look completely out of place on a contemporary minimalist style home. 

2. Will the new door you choose dominate the décor or blend into the background?  While an attractive garage door can add a lot to curb appeal, it can also be the only thing your guests remember if it is over the top or does not fit with the rest of your decorating plan.

Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, is an award-winning designer who illustrates how simple it can be to build decorative wall plaques online  whether or not you have buy floor vases.

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Different types of garage door available.

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