Buying a new garage door, but not sure where to begin?
A garage door isn’t something homeowners buy very often, so you may not know how to approach the process. To avoid the ups and downs of the unknown, we asked highly rated garage door experts what shoppers should keep in mind.
How to buy a garage door
1. How much do garage doors cost?
Every house has a bit of character, so highlight it with the perfect garage door.
“Do you want a classic look or are you looking for something more contemporary, or even rustic?” says Chris Cunningham, “Determining your house’s style will help focus your options.”
Once you figure out the look you’re going for, evaluate these popular garage door styles and see what fits your budget:
Aluminum garage door: Rust-resistant aluminum is ideal for humid, caustic environments. Replace solid panels with frosted glass for a modern look. The average cost for a 16-by-7 double door: $1,500 to $2,000.
Steel garage door: Steel doors offer the broadest range of color, insulation, and price options. You can get anything from an entry level, single-layer, non-insulated door up to a premium three-layer, 2-inch polyurethane insulated door. The average cost for a 16-by-7 double door: $750 to $3,500.
Wood garage door: There’s no substitute for the distinctive look of wood. It’s typically made of moisture-resistant cedar, redwood or cypress and offers the most flexibility for custom designs. Depending on climate and exposure, wood doors require more maintenance. The average cost for a 16-by-7 double door made of quality wood: $1,200 to more than $4,000.
Composite wood garage door: A durable, low-maintenance material that looks like real wood, faux wood composite eliminates many of the drawbacks of natural material. It’s moisture-resistant, so it won’t rot, split, shrink, separate or crack. It’s insulated, and can be painted or stained. The average cost for a 16-by-7 double door: $1,200 to $2,200.
Garage door installation
Avoid DIY Garage Door Installation
Installing a garage door without the proper training, experience or equipment can lead to a serious injury or costly repairs.
2. Should you buy an insulated garage door?
Most garages aren’t heated, but your garage door still impacts your home’s energy efficiency. Construction materials and insulation technologies for garage doors have improved significantly over the last five to 10 years. Today’s doors provide a tighter seal against the façade to keep out the elements.
If your garage is attached to the house, your best bet is to purchase an insulated door, especially if there’s an occupied room above the garage. It will help reduce both noise and the utility bills.
Also, consider the direction your door faces. If it’s baking in the sun all day or getting blasted by the wind, an insulated door will better regulate the temperature inside.
wood carriage-style garage door
When selecting a new garage door, consider coordinating with the entry door for an overall cohesive look. (Photo courtesy of Clopay)
3. What’s the safety factor for the garage door?
If you live in a high wind or hurricane-prone area, make sure your garage door can withstand the elements.
“Because of their size, garage doors are more susceptible to wind damage than other exterior openings,” says Mark Westerfield, director of product development for residential garage door manufacturer Clopay.
Garage doors must have additional bracing, heavier gauge tracking and other necessary hardware to help keep them in place under extreme winds.
If you’re buying a new door, look for models that are “storm ready” with a built-in passive reinforcement system, which requires no advance set-up before a storm.
“With a passive system, reinforcement is contained within the structure of the door and is engaged by simply locking the door,” says Kristie Lamay, president of Broten Garage Doors in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Why You Should Replace Your Garage Door
Installing a new garage door can increase your home’s curb appeal, save energy and keep your family safe.
4. What else do I need to know before buying a garage door?
If you’ve never purchased a garage door before, here are some common misconceptions:
• Buying a garage door opener is a separate purchase and is not included in the price of a new garage door. However, most garage door installation companies also sell openers.
• Interested in carriage house doors, but think you lack the room for doors that swing open? Not to worry! Carriage-house style doors only look like they swing open. They actually move up and down on a standard track, just like every other garage door.
• Be sure to ask if the cost of the garage door includes installation. Most likely, it will. “A garage door installation is as important as the product,” Cunningham says, and encourages homeowners to do their research before hiring a company.