Tips For Buying a New Garage Door

Here at Sevan Locks and Doors, we know all too well how stressful it can be to purchase something new for your home. Buying a garage door isn’t something you are going to do very often, so it’s ok if you don’t know the process. Keep reading to learn some of the best tips for buying a new garage door.

Style & Material

Curb appeal is an important thing to think about with your new door. You need to determine the direction that you want the style of the door to go. Once you have some sort of idea of the look you’re going for, you can start looking at the following popular materials and see what you’re able to afford.

• Steel garage doors: You’re going to find the most color, price, and insulation options.
• Wood garage doors: Wood has a distinctive look that is hard to mimic and is the easiest to customize.
• Aluminum garage doors: If you live in a humid environment, this is a great rust-resistant option.
• Composite wood garage doors: A moisture-resistant, low-maintenance material that won’t crack or split and is insulated. It can also be painted or stained.

Insulation

Your garage can still affect the energy efficiency in your home, even though garages aren’t typically heated. Garage door materials aren’t the same as they were in the past. Manufacturers know that the seal needs to be tight to keep the outdoor elements where they belong.

If your garage is going to be attached to your house or have a room above it, you’re going to want insulation. This will help cut down the cost of utility bills as well as reduce noise. Also, if the direction of the door puts it in direct sunlight all day, insulation will help regulate the temperature.

Durability

Your location is going to determine what type of elements you need to think about your door withstanding. Garage doors are large, which means they are more apt to wind damage that other openings of your home. They need additional bracing, heavier tracking, and other hardware to make sure they stay in place when extreme winds come.

You can even look for “storm ready” models that are built with a passive reinforcement system already in place. This system is built in the to structure and is engages by just locking your door. These systems are to help save you money in the event a storm were to come and damage your home.

Additional Information

There are probably some common misconceptions that you have heard if you’ve ever looked into buying a new garage door before. Here are a few tips to help weed out the bad and make sure you know exactly what you are getting into.

• Garage door openers are not included in the price of your garage door and will be a separate purchase to factor into your budget. Most garage door companies will also sell the openers, so you should know the pricing up front.
• Carriage doors are beautiful doors and their looks are deceiving, so don’t worry if you don’t think you have enough room for the door to swing open. They actually move on a standard track like any other garage door.
• Some companies don’t include the actual cost of installation, so be sure to ask the company before you hire them.

We hope that these tips help you and will have you thinking about what you need to check when you speak to the garage door company. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be sure you know what you are getting into.

Contact Us for a New Garage Door

Hopefully, these tips for buying a new garage door have helped get you started. If you have more questions, or you're ready for a new door, contact us today!