How to Choose the Best Garage Door for Your House 

There are very many different types of garage doors that you can choose from. These differences are because of their sizes, the materials that they are made of, and the way they open. With several types of garage doors available, choosing the right one can be quite tricky.

Whether you want to replace your garage door to increase the value of your house or you want to buy one for the first time, knowing what to look for and what type fits your home well is very important. 

Let us take a look at some of the best garage doors that you can buy for your house. 

Differences in How They Open

When you are shopping for a garage door, one of the things that you should consider is how the door opens. Your choice will depend on your preference as well as the amount of space you have in your home. 

Garage doors can be noisy as you open or close them, especially when not well maintained. Should this happen, you should also know how to quiet a garage door to help fix it fast. 

Sectional Garage Doors

This is a very common type of garage door in the United States. If you do not have it, then the chances are that your next-door neighbor does. The panel of the door is broken into sections that are held together by hinges. These hinges allow the door panel to bend as it opens.

These doors move vertically, then once they reach up, at the top of the door, they run parallel to the ceiling or horizontally. 

Roll-up Garage Doors

Just like the name suggests, these doors roll around a barrel that is located above the door of the garage. These doors are able to roll because they are made of horizontal slats, which allows it to bend and curve. 

Roll-up garage doors are not common in homes, but several storage units and commercial garages use them.

Slide to the Side Garage Doors

Also known as round the corner doors, these garage doors are among the first doors invented. These types of garage doors are no longer common today. These doors, unlike sectional garage doors, bend to one side and run parallel to the walls of the garage. You can consider this type if you do not have enough headroom for a sectional door.

Side Hinged Garage Doors

This garage door is also called the swing out garage door because they will allow you to swing them open rather than moving them to the side or upwards. The hinges of this door are located on its side. You can choose to open it from the center going inside or outside, kind of like opening a barn.

Tilt-Up Garage Doors

These types of garage doors do not have sections. They simply tilt up into the garage when opened. There are several types of tilt-up garage doors: 

• Tilt-up canopy: This door features a pivoting hinge that lifts the door, allowing it to slide back along with the garage’s ceiling. A small part of the door will extend past the front of the house when the door is opened
• Tilt-up retractable: This door works the same way as the canopy; however no part of it extends or protrudes from the house, because it is suspended independently from the frame

Before choosing the right door according to the way they open, kindly note that tilt-up garage doors are more expensive when compared to the garage doors. They are also more challenging to operate than a sectional door, which is the most common type of garage doors in residential homes in the US.

Garage Door Materials

The materials that a garage door is made from will affect its performance, durability, security level as well as its aesthetic appeal. Understanding the different materials will help you choose the best door for your garage. Do not forget to consider the insulation too. 

Steel Garage Doors

These doors are the best option for Midwest homeowners. They have several customization options like colors, panels, and window inserts. With a steel garage door, you can have a beautiful look that wood doors give you without worrying about the challenges of having a wooden door.

They are low maintenance, do not need to be painted, durable, and energy-efficient. They make having a quality garage very easy.

Wood Garage Doors

The beauty that wooden garage doors offer remains unmatched. These doors have an appealing and inviting look that will draw the attention of your neighbors, friends, and family. If you live in the Midwest, then you probably should not consider getting a wooden door. 

These doors are energy-efficient, however, because they tend to warp, rot, and expand when exposed to moisture, they will have a hard time working during winter, or when they face, hail, rain, and snow. This kills their beauty.

Wood garage doors are also very high maintenance. Should you choose them, be ready to paint and stain them after every few years so that you can maintain their aesthetic appeal. Wood is also expensive compared with other materials. 

Wood Composite Garage Doors

If you love wood and you cannot afford a wood garage door, then this is a cheaper option that you can consider. The door is made from fiberboard and has a wood frame. Some versions of these doors are made using high-density fiberboard skins to give them a more detailed look.

These doors do not offer the same level of beauty as wood garage doors, but they are also very energy efficient because they can prevent heat loss.

Fiberglass Garage Doors

This material is lightweight, and this makes doors quieter when they open or close. Fiberglass doors do not rot, warp, or expand when exposed to moisture. However, these doors are not energy efficient. They are the worst when it comes to insulation.

Since fiberglass can be brittle when exposed to a cold temperature, you should not choose this option if you come from the Midwest.

Aluminum Garage Doors

These doors are not only affordable but can withstand even the nastiest weather. They are very durable, do not expand, warp, or rot when they are exposed to moisture. However, aluminum absorbs heat, and when this happens, the door will be too hot to touch, and your garage will also be extremely warm.  

During summer, you might have to pay more electricity bills to keep the garage cool, especially if it is attached to the house. If it is nor attached, you should still worry about what the heat will do to your car and other items that you have stored in the garage. These doors also dent easily than other materials. 

Glass Garage Doors

This is a very contemporary type of garage door. They are not common, mainly because they are not safe. With this type of door, your property will remain exposed to everyone, and one can quickly tell when your home or not.

Even though these doors are made from very thick and sturdy glass, they are not as durable as aluminum, steel, or even wood. The glass also chips and cracks with time, especially when exposed to strong winds and hail.

Homeowners choose this door because they make the garage feel larger than it is. If it was not for the weather and security and privacy issues, this door could be a good option.

Garage Door Sizes

When choosing a garage door, you must consider its size too. There are two main types of garage doors that you can choose: Single and double doors. 

Single doors are the most common sizes for home because they are large enough for one car to pass through. Double doors, on the other hand, allow two vehicles to pass through at the same time.

Many single doors are around eight feet wide and double doors are about 16 feet wide. When buying a garage door, make sure that you measure your garage’s door before picking a size.

Custom-Built Versus Cookie-Cutter Garage Door

The final thing that you should also consider when choosing a garage door is whether you are going to have it custom-built or you will get a cookie-cutter door. You can find the latter in home improvement stores in your area. With a cookie-cutter garage door, you get exactly what you see, and you cannot change the size or design.

Custom-built doors are the garage doors that are built specifically according to your style. This allows you to create the garage door that you have always dreamt of having. You can customize everything, including the size, color, or even have window inserts included in the design. If your garage door is wider than 8ft or 16ft, a custom-built door would be the way to go.

Consider This Guide When Looking At the Types of Garage Doors Available

Before you make a buying decision, you need to understand the various types of garage doors so that you can make an informed choice. This way, you will buy a door that is within your budget, fits your style, and will offer you the service that you need. 

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