Whether you’re looking to increase the value of your home before putting it on the market, your current garage door is damaged or you’re renovating the outside of your house and need a new door style to match, choosing the best garage door can be challenging.
Garage doors come in all types of sizes and materials, and some are better suited for particular situations than others. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most important considerations so you feel equipped to choose the best garage door for your home.
What to look for in the best garage door
When shopping for a new garage door, there are a few things that should be top-of-mind:
Your budget: First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a new door that aligns with your budget. Thankfully, garage doors come in a variety of styles and materials that range in price, so, there’s sure to be an option that meets your needs.
The orientation and location of your home: Where and how your home is situated matters when choosing a new door. For example, if your garage faces direct sunlight for most of the day, an aluminum garage door should be a top consideration as it can withstand possible fading. Or, if you live in a particularly windy climate, you’ll want a door that can handle high wind pressure.
Your intended use of the garage: Whether you intend to use your garage for storage or a home gym, the type of garage door you choose can help you make the most of your space.
The size of your garage: Garage doors come in standard sizes and can also be custom cut to fit your larger- or smaller-than-average garage. This will affect the price of your new door, so having a professional garage door technician measure your space is important to get the right fit.
Personal taste: Most excitingly, a new garage door is an opportunity to express yourself and add curb appeal to your home. And with so many styles available, there’s sure to be a garage door that piques your interest.
These five considerations can help you narrow down your choices while browsing for a new door. While some of these factors may eliminate particular materials or styles from the discussion, there’s no need to write them off completely.
If you’re set on a particular look for your new garage door but you think it may not necessarily be the best option from a practical standpoint, we encourage you to get in touch with an Amarr garage door technician. They can offer suggestions so you can have the door you want while making sure it’s appropriate for your home.
Price points vs. value
Garage door remodels can vary in price significantly. However the average cost, all things considered, is about $4,300. This comes in substantially lower than most other home remodel projects while offering the second-best return on investment (ROI). Homeowners who replace their garage door can expect to recoup about 102.7% of the cost if they choose to sell — their money back and then some.
That said, with garage doors you get what you pay for. To start, here are a few things that can help you get the most out of your investment.
Spring replacement
It’s imperative to keep up with repairs and general maintenance on garage doors. Garage door springs, while extremely durable, can wear down over time — especially if they’re not maintained correctly. Metal springs are prone to rust and can become a safety concern and even damage the garage door itself if not repaired in a reasonable amount of time.
Your springs may need to be replaced if the garage door:
Makes unusual noise when opening and closing.
Slams shut suddenly.
Feels heavier than normal.
Oftentimes, these problems can be attributed to defective, corroded or broken springs that need replacing. As a whole, a garage door should be professionally maintained about twice a year. This will help increase the lifespan of your door and ensure that you get your money’s worth.
Garage door insulation and R-value
R-value measures the resistance of heat transfer from one side of an object to another. For garage doors, this means that the more insulation, the higher the R-value — and the better it will mitigate heat transfer. Garage doors are most commonly insulated with polyurethane or polystyrene and R-values range from 8 to 32.
Whether or not you need an insulated garage door will largely depend on:
If the garage is attached to your house or not.
What you intend to use the garage for.
Where you live.
However, opting for insulated garage doors is by far the best long-term investment if it’s in your budget to do so. A properly insulated door can help regulate heat transfer and airflow, and keep rainwater out. For attached garages and garages that will be used mainly for storage, these options can help save you money on your monthly energy bills and keep stored items from being water damaged.
Proper garage door insulation helps regulate your home’s interior temperature.
Garage door repair
While homeowners may complete general maintenance and cleaning on their garage doors, repairs should only be done by a professional garage door service to reduce the chance of injury to you or damage to the door. The following should only be maintained by trained professionals:
Garage door opener.
Springs and pulleys.
Hinges.
Rollers.
New garage door installation time frame and expectations
The time it takes for technicians to install a new garage door system will depend on a couple different variables, such as:
Whether or not the desired door is compatible with the existing structure.
How large the door is, or how many doors there are.
In general, though, installing a new garage door can take anywhere from 4-6 hours or more. After that, homeowners should expect to dedicate around 2-4 hours of time for routine checks and maintenance about twice per year to ensure that their garage door is in good working order. When necessary, contact a professional for repairs.
Here are a few maintenance tips that you can do on your own for proper care:
Inspect the garage door system.
Clear tracks of any debris.
Tighten hardware.
Lubricate rollers and other moving parts.
Test the safety features, like auto-reverse.
If something seems off or is otherwise not working as intended, schedule an inspection with your local Amarr dealer.
Amarr steel garage doors
With all of these considerations in mind, it’s time for the fun part — browsing for a new door. At Amarr, we offer a range of classic and contemporary garage door types to suit any style. Here are some of our favorite collections, all of which are fully customizable with a range of garage door options from design, windows and added features like WindPro and noise reduction.
Most Amarr steel garage doors are available in single-, double- and triple-layer construction. The more layers you have, the better energy efficiency and protection from the elements you’ll enjoy. And, Amarr Color Zone offers over 800 factory-applied colors for true customization.
Mix and match design styles, windows, glass color and decorative hardware for a bespoke garage door that meets your needs — both aesthetically and functionally.
Classica garage door
The Classica is a stamped steel garage door that offers authentic carriage house styling and energy efficiency. This residential garage door makes a bold yet tasteful statement while being highly practical. Its seven distinct design styles offer tons of configuration options so you can build a door that’s unique to you and your home.
Hillcrest garage door
Our Hillcrest collection is manufactured from durable, nominal steel and offers low-maintenance and a high curb appeal. Its three distinct styles, Bead Board, Long Bead Board and Recessed offer lots of combinations.
Heritage garage door
The Amarr Heritage garage door collection is an attractive take on the classic garage door. Made from steel, the Heritage collection offers that traditional look with options for charming mosaic window designs and faux wood finishes.
Designer’s choice garage door
For the best insulation and highest R-value ratings, it doesn’t get better than the Amarr Designer’s choice collection. These triple-layer steel doors are quiet and offer the top-rated energy efficiency.
The best garage door for you is one that meets all of your needs, comes in at or under budget, is functional and matches your style. If you’re still unsure about what garage you’d like — or which is best-suited for your home, both aesthetically and functionally — a professional at your nearest Amarr dealer can help you choose the perfect door.
Or, if you want to try your hand at design and experiment with custom styles, try designing your own with our online tool. When you’re ready to talk garage door options and place an order, find an Amarr garage door dealer near you.
Proper garage door insulation helps regulate your home’s interior temperature.
