Choosing the Right Garage Door
The appearance of the door may be what you notice first, but there are several other decisions that determine how your new garage door looks and performs. We’ll help you compare the available options and understand where upgrading the door makes sense for your home.
Door Design
The design stamped or formed into the garage door sections has a significant impact on the overall appearance of the door. Depending on the door model, options can range from traditional raised-panel and carriage-house designs to flush and contemporary styles.
We’ll help you select a design that complements the architectural style of your home rather than simply replacing your existing garage door with something similar.
Door Construction
Garage doors are available in several construction types, ranging from basic single-layer steel doors to multi-layer insulated doors. Construction can affect the strength, rigidity, thermal performance, sound, appearance, and overall feel of the door.
We can explain the differences between the available construction options so you can determine where an upgrade provides value for your particular application.
Insulation
An insulated garage door can provide more than improved thermal performance. It can help create a more comfortable garage, reduce heat transfer between the garage and adjacent living spaces, provide quieter operation, and add strength and rigidity to the garage door.
Insulated garage doors are available with both polystyrene and polyurethane insulation, with different door thicknesses and construction options depending on the model. Premium polyurethane-insulated doors typically provide higher thermal performance while also creating a stronger, more solid-feeling door.
When comparing insulated garage doors, R-value and U-factor can both help evaluate thermal performance. R-value measures resistance to heat flow—the higher the number, the greater the resistance—while U-factor measures the rate of heat transfer through the complete door assembly, where a lower number indicates better thermal performance.
We’ll help you compare insulation type, door construction, R-value, U-factor, and other available options to select a garage door that provides the right combination of comfort, performance, durability, and value for your home.
Colors & Finishes
The color and finish of your garage door can have a major impact on your home’s curb appeal. Today’s garage doors are available in far more than traditional white or neutral colors, with options ranging from classic factory-painted colors to contemporary matte finishes, realistic wood-look finishes, and custom factory-applied colors.
Depending on the manufacturer and garage door model, homeowners can choose finishes designed to complement or coordinate with exterior features such as siding, brick, stone, trim, shutters, and the front entry door. Premium wood-look finishes can also provide the warmth and appearance of natural wood with the durability and lower maintenance of a steel garage door.
With extensive standard, premium, and custom color options available, we’ll help you select a garage door finish that complements your home’s architecture and creates the finished appearance you’re looking for.
Windows & Glass
Windows can dramatically change the appearance of a garage door while adding natural light to the garage. Homeowners can choose from a variety of window designs, glass types, and placement options to complement the architecture of the home.
Single-pane glass is commonly used in non-insulated garage doors, while insulated glass is recommended when windows are added to an insulated door to help maintain the door’s overall thermal performance. Depending on the garage door model, homeowners can also choose from clear, tinted, obscure, or other privacy glass options to control visibility and create the desired appearance.
Decorative Hardware
Decorative handles, hinges, and other hardware can add architectural detail, particularly for carriage-house-style garage doors. We’ll help you determine whether decorative hardware enhances the design you’ve selected or whether a cleaner appearance better complements your home.