Introduction
First impressions, curb appeal, the best fit forward – your garage door does just that when it comes to the look of your home. This is especially true for suburban homes that have been built for decades. Designed for drive-in access, many people have garages that cover up to 30% of the front. No wonder the garage door upgrade is a popular home improvement project. In fact, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Cost vs. Value report, garage door replacement is one of the few projects surveyed to cover more than 90% of the initial cost when reselling a home.
To start
If you’re ready to explore the style and options for a new garage door, take a deep breath: there are plenty of options. Wayne-Dalton, a garage door industrial doors, for example, prides itself on 19 design options, 10 window patterns, and 15 colors for its Model 9700 door. That’s a possible 2,850 combination.
Thankfully, many manufacturers’ websites are equipped with digital visualization tools to help you get started. These interactive tools allow you to upload a picture of your home and overlay hundreds of styles, window sizes and colors. When you’re done, send your design to the manufacturer for a custom quote.
Back to the basics
Manufacturers have their own proprietary techniques and ways to put garage doors together, but the basics are:
Single layer construction consists of a simple outer layer of steel, fiberglass or engineered wood. Basic doors are lightweight, easy on springs and low cost. The value of their insulation is negligible.
The double layer construction consists of inner and outer skin sandwiched around a layer of polystyrene board with a hardness value of insulation.
Premium construction consists of inner and outer layers of high quality steel, wood or fiberglass sandwiched around a thick layer of polystyrene or polyurethane insulation with a maximum insulation value of more than R-15. There is more rigidity.
Type and price
With so many material options, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of garage door – including basic information, insulation cost, and cost. Remember that with insulation, it’s all about R-value – the more, the better.
1-Steel
This garage door is made of steel for durability and durability, while the molded, faux wood overlays and cross beam details create a popular carriage style look.
Steel garage doors have heavy gauge steel exterior layers available in traditional frame and panel styles or embossed to mimic wood grain and even plaster. Overlays, such as molding and cross-book design, shape the car door. Foam cores add strength and insulation, and some models are rated to withstand winds of up to 120 mph or more.
2-Fiberglass
Fiberglass doors are known for their resistance to dents, moisture, pests, warping and changes in moisture. A thick outer layer of fiberglass encloses an inner foam core and steel framework that provides strength and durability. Fiberglass is great for imitating real wood colors such as cherry, oak and mahogany colors and grain patterns.
3-Wood
The dark exterior of the house draws attention to the wooden garage door and porch columns for warm contrast pop.
Neither as strong as steel nor as hard as fiberglass, all wooden garage doors are made of moisture-repellent cedar, redwood, and pine, which offer a curb appeal like no other. However, note that wood also comes in different prices and quality levels.
Conclusion
Each garage door opener is a little different, so it’s always a good idea to visit the manufacturer’s website for instructions or consult the user manual (if you still have one). The basic process goes something like this: First, you’ll want to open the access panel at the back of your garage door opener. Find the Learn button and hold it down until the lights flicker. Now you have reset your door codes and your remote should not work. Next, press the Learn button once until the light comes on and at the same time, press the button on your garage door opener.
