Three Essential Tips for PUrchasing a New Garage Door
Thinking of buying a new garage door but don’t know where to start? Homeowners don’t buy garage doors very often, so this is probably natural.
Here are top three tips to help you buy the right one for your home:
1. Define your budget.
Each home has its own character, so emphasize your home’s with a suitable garage door. Do you prefer it classic or modern? As soon as you know what you want, check out the following popular garage door styles and see what matches your budget:
Aluminim
A rust-resistant aluminum garage door is best for humid, caustic areas. If you’re aiming for a more contemporary look, simply put frosted glass in place of the solid panels. For a typical 16×7 double door garage door, expect to pay a minimum of $1,500 up to a maximum of $2,000.
Steel
Steel doors come with the widest variety in terms of color, insulation and pricing.
A 16×7 double door will probably cost around $750 to $3500.
Wood
Nothing can be better than the elegant look of wood. Wooden garage doors are usually made of moisture-resistant cedar, cypress or redwood, and provides the most flexibility for those who want to customize their garage door design. However, they may need more maintenance , depending on natural factors such as the climate. If you’re thinking of getting a 16×7 double door made of wood, be ready with around $1,200 to $4000+.
Composite Wood
Composite wood can eliminate the drawbacks of natural wood and still be as durable and beautiful. With its moisture-resistant property, you can expect it not to rot, shrink, split or crack. It also comes with insulation and can be painted or stained. A 16×7 composite wood double door will cost anywhere between $1,200 and $2,200.
2. Determine whether or not you need an insulated garage door.
While garage doors are not typically heated, they can still have an impact on a home’s energy efficiency. Over the last ten years, garage door construction has considerably improved in terms of materials and insulation technologies. Today’s doors are now made with a tighter seal to ward off the elements. Get an insulated door if your garage is attached to your house and there is an occupied room on top of it. This will let you cut back on your utility bills as well as noise. Also check the direction where your door faces. If it gets blasted by the wind or bakes in the sun all day, get an insulated door for better indoor temperature regulation
3. Determine the garage door’s safety factor.
Finally, if your house is located in a hurricane-prone area, buy a garage door that can can withstand the elements. Look for a “storm ready” model that comes with an inbuilt passive reinforcement system, which needs no advance setup.
