The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Garage Door
Buying a garage door is a significant investment that impacts your home’s security, curb appeal and energy efficiency. A new garage door can deliver a return on investment of up to 194%, making it the number one home improvement project for cost vs value.
Here’s everything you need to know to ensure you choose the right garage door for your home.
1. Assess your needs
Before deciding on the style of your garage door, you need to determine how you plan to use your garage.
Is your garage attached to your home? If yes, insulation and noise control will matter
Do you use your garage as a workshop or living space? If yes, insulation and windows should be considered.
Does your home face the street? Curb appeal may be important.
Understanding how you use your garage will shape your decisions on what materials and styles to choose for your garage door.
Do you live in an area prone to major storms? If yes, you’ll want to be sure you install a high wind-rated garage door that can protect your home.
2. Choose the right material
Steel
Pros: Durable, low maintenance, good insulation options
Cons: Can rust if exposed to coastal regions
Wood
Pros: Premium look with natural insulation
Cons: Requires regular maintenance and staining, more expensive
Aluminum
Pros: Sleek, Modern look and corrosion resistant. Great for coastal homes
Cons: Poor Insulation, prone to dents
Glass
Pros: Upscale, Modern look. Maximum light allowance
Cons: Poor Insulation, expensive designs
3. Consider Insulation
Uninsulated: Best for detached garages. Provides zero thermal protection
Polystyrene: Basic foam insulated panels. Minimal insulation, cost effective.
Polyurethane: Dense sprayed in insulation, offers highest thermal protection and better energy savings.
Garage doors are now rated according to U-Factor as opposed to R-Value. Traditional insulation is rated by R-Value. You can find an easy R-Value to U-Factor calculator here to assist in finding the best thermal efficiency for your garage.
4. Pick a style that matches your home
Garage doors make up 30%-40% of your home’s façade. Choose a design that complements your homes architecture.
Traditional: Raised short or long panel designs are most commonly used on standard homes
Modern: Clean lines and frosted or decorative glass panels elevate your home to a sleek modern look
Custom: Carriage house doors, decorative hardware and windows add a personal touch
Pro Tip: Use the door manufacturer’s design your door web page to create a door and see how it looks on your home before purchasing!
5. Safety and Security Features
Ensure your new garage door system is compliant with local and state regulations. All new garage doors in Florida MUST be hurricane-rated. Each county has specific windload requirements for garage doors.
New garage door openers should come equipped with safety sensors, automatic reversal systems, and emergency manual release handles.
Additional opener features to consider:
Smart Openers: Integrates with existing smart home features and allows complete control of your garage door from your phone. Additionally, allows you to set times to be sure your garage door is closed at specific times.
Battery Backup: Allows you to continue garage door operation in the event of a power failure.
6. Budgeting & Installation
Garage door prices vary based on material, insulation, sizes, customization and opener types.
Basic Steel Doors range in price from $1000-$4000.
Insulated Premium Doors vary between $3000- $6000+
Custom Glass Door pricing can change dramatically depending on styles and glass chosen.
Working with a licensed, local installer ensures proper fit and warranty coverage
7. Maintenance Tips Post Purchase
Lubricate moving parts every 6 months
Inspect weather stripping and replace went torn or cracked
Test safety features monthly
Annual professional garage door tune-ups are worth the investment for safety and longevity
Final Checklist Before You Buy
Have you chosen the right material for your climate and budget?
Does the style enhance your home’s curb appeal?
Are safety and smart features included?
Is the insulation value high enough for your intended usage?
Have you researched professional installation companies?
Ready to Upgrade Your Garage Door?
A new garage door isn’t just functional, it can significantly boost your home’s resale value and aesthetics. Taking the time to choose the right garage door pays off!
Need help from a pro? Contact Florida Garage Door Pros for a free consultation and same-day service in your area!
