Do you need your garage door repaired or replaced? Are you overwhelmed with all of the choices that are available? Here are some things to consider when deciding on whether to purchase or repair your overhead garage door.
Budget first!
Knowing your budget first will allow you to wisely pick the material, the style and ultimately allow you to make the best decision for what you want and need in a new overhead garage door.
Choose a dollar range of approximately 20% and set yourself a range. For example, if you feel you can spend $1000 on this project, you will have a range of $800-$1200. This range will allow you to make the best choice based on the pros and cons of materials and style. Every decision you make concerning household improvement adds value to your home. A new garage door will add both value and comfort while improving the aesthetic.
Material
Wooden Doors - Wood is a sturdy material to use, but often comes with a higher price tag and semi-yearly upkeep. These doors will hold up well in any climate, but will need to be refinished every few years.
Steel - Rugged and durable, steel is a cost-efficient and long lasting material. There are still multiple designs to choose from, but steel will also rust over time. Adding a fiberglass overlay can negate rusting and make this door a reliable, long lasting investment.
Aluminum - Lightweight and more durable than the aluminum doors of yesterday! Cheaper frames of aluminum are prone to dents and dings if you have children playing ball in the driveway for example, but heavier duty frames are a more resistant option. Having an aluminum door laminated will add to its durability over time.
Fiberglass - A fiberglass door is a great investment in warmer and coastal areas. In colder climates, it can yellow and crack due to the extremes. Fiberglass can be molded and designed to any shape and texture, which allows for many different visual options.
Vinyl - Vinyl doors are extremely resilient, modern and an option to consider along with wood if you have children playing in the driveway. More durable than other options, they are very difficult to dent or crack. While vinyl doors aren't offered in as many styles and aesthetics, they can be your best investment for a long term, reliable door that needs little maintenance outside of a power washing every so often.
Style
Carriage house (swing up) - This style is associated most often with that "barn door" look. They complement rustic style or mission types of houses that seek to portray a rustic aesthetic. They conjure images of old carriage barns and can be designed to your ornate tastes.
Contemporary - These doors offer clean lines and a modern take on just the aesthetic you are looking for.. They come in a variety of design styles and most often be matched with the material that suits your needs.
Traditional - The tried and true classic style that often suits older homes. Choose from a variety of designs in order to improve the look, but maintain that traditional feel that you are looking for.
Best decision for you
You can make your new overhead garage door choice simpler by narrowing your decisions to your budget, material and style that works best for your home and garage. You can utilize Overhead Door of the Permian Basin™ to help you with your decision. We can help assess those needs and wants, and even use our online visualization tool to upload a picture of your garage and play around with different styles here.
