When planning a home the design of the simple garage door can sometimes be an overlooked element. This is unfortunate, because garage doors are not only functional and practical but also impact the street appeal of your property. The team at Look Local WA have put together a list of considerations to help you choose the right garage door for your home.
Style
With so many different styles of homes it’s not surprising that that there are many styles of garage doors to choose from. The first step is to consider the overall style and façade of your house and how that works with the available garage door options. Examples of a few garage door styles can be found below.
Contemporary garage doors. As its name suggests, the contemporary door is a very modern style featuring clean lines and comes in a variety of finishes including clear, frosted or tinted.
Carriage garage doors resemble doors found on old carriage houses but they can suit more than just traditional style homes.
Panel garage doors are arguably the most popular style. These garage doors can come in a range of materials and feature a raised rectangular pattern across the door.
Don’t forget to also consider the colour of your garage door. Whether you want a neutral or bright coloured garage door, make sure that the garage door complements the overall style of the home.
Material
The materials used to make the garage door will directly impact durability, maintenance and cost. Aluminum, steel, wood and fiberglass are all commonly used materials.
Aluminum garage doors are a popular choice as they come in a variety of colours, styles and designs. Its lightweight properties make it very easy to operate manually. Although this rust proof material is extremely low maintenance, it does dent easily.
Steel is much tougher than aluminum, making it less prone to dents. If they do end up dented or scratched though they are likely to rust. Steel garage doors also come in a variety of colours, styles and designs.
Wood is a popular choice for garage doors with a range of options and designs to choose from. Garage doors made from wood do require regular maintenance such as painting.
Fibreglass garage doors are a relatively new option in comparison to wood and metal garage doors. They come in a variety of designs and styles and are much more durable; however they do crack much more easily.
Functionality
Roller garage doors are quite literally doors that ‘roll up’. Roller garage doors can be either automated or manual. If your driveway is particularly space poor then roller doors may be the perfect option as they roll straight up instead of outwards, allowing you to park your car right up to the door.
Sectional garage doors are made up of a series of panels. When the garage door is opened each panel of the door lifts vertically and folds upward. An advantage of a sectional garage door is that sections of the door can be replaced if damaged, without the need to replace the entire door.
Safety
Your garage door will be one of the most used doors in your home. Each time that you get into your car, leave home and come back you will most likely be opening and closing your garage door. Regardless of style or material, safety should be your number one consideration. There are many safety factors to consider when choosing a garage door, which includes minding your fingers! Have you ever had a door close on your finger? It’s not a nice feeling at all. When choosing a garage door make sure that it has a handle or pinch resistant joints (this applies to automated garage doors too). If the automatic operator stops working and you need to manually open the garage door ensure that you will be able to do so safely.
Are you looking for a professional to install, repair or service your garage door? Find a professional on Look Local WA.
- Simonne Francis from the Look Local WA Team
