Replacing your garage door is an investment that starts paying you back immediately. It adds curb appeal to your home, instantly upgrades the look of the exterior, and provides visual interest. It's essential to choose a new garage door carefully to ensure it meets your needs and complements the aesthetic of your property. Yet, this is harder than it sounds. Here are some steps you should follow to choose a garage door that meets all your needs.

1. Work With a Trusted Provider

Your first step in finding the perfect new garage door is to work with a trusted provider that has an established history of providing exceptional customer service. Read reviews online from a third-party consumer review provider before you decide which garage door provider is right for your project. Request quotes from the top three providers and compare them by considering the value that each garage door company has to offer. It's important to note that you shouldn't automatically choose the company with the cheapest quote. While it's not always the case, oftentimes, this is a red flag. It could mean that they are using cheaper materials, or they may not offer guarantees or warranties. Be sure to carefully review a company and what they offer before signing any contracts.

It is essential that you choose a provider that offers a rock-solid warranty, fair pricing, and a wide range of garage door options. Settling for a service that doesn't offer the value you deserve can impact the outcome of the project. You want to choose a company that can provide high-quality results. It may be a good idea to ask for references that you can reach out to, so you can ask them if they were satisfied with the company's services.

2. Evaluate Your Needs

Consider what you need from your new garage doors. How large should they be? Do you have a single or two-car garage? Do you want a single door or two separate doors? How much insulation do you want? What style best matches your home style? Evaluating these basic needs will give you a starting point to build on when choosing your new garage doors.

Once you have figured out what your basic needs are, you can move on to the more decorative features or “wants”. Some decorative features that may interest you are the type of hardware used on the doors or whether the doors will have windows. Getting the basics out of the way will free you to move on to the fun parts of choosing a new garage door.

Beyond aesthetics, there are many types of garage doors to choose from that may improve the functionality of your home. For example, you could invest in an energy-efficient door. Garages don't typically have much insulation, so many people don't realize that it's guilty of allowing the outdoor temperature to leak into their homes. This naturally raises your utility bills since your heating and cooling systems have to work harder to keep your home at its set temperature. An energy-efficient door can help to solve this problem and lower your monthly bills.

3. Choose Your Style

There are several different styles of garage doors that may get your attention. Common styles include traditional raised panels, contemporary, carriage houses, and custom designs. Look for inspiration online or around your neighborhood. Take note of the styles that interest you the most and that you believe will match the aesthetics of your home. You want to ensure the style of your garage door compliments the rest of the house.

Matching your garage door to the architectural style of your home is an essential element of choosing the right doors. For example, if you have a craftsman-style home, modern garage doors may look out of place. Carriage-style doors may be more appropriate for a craftsman-style home. Choose your style of doors while considering the architectural details of your home.

4. Choose Your Materials

Garage doors are available in a wide range of materials, and each comes with different advantages and disadvantages. Some garage door materials will require more maintenance than others. Some common materials include aluminum, vinyl, steel, fiberglass, and wood. When you are deciding which material is best for your new garage door, consider durability factors, aesthetic factors, and maintenance needs.

Wooden garage doors, for example, may need a little more love compared to other materials. Wood garage doors require periodic staining or painting to protect the wood, while vinyl and fiberglass garage doors require a lot less maintenance. Of course, the region that you live in may play a role in what type of material you can use for your garage door. For example, some materials don't stand up well against areas with heavy snowfall. It is best to speak with an expert before you make your final decision. If you choose someone local, then they can provide recommendations based on your specific climate.

5. Choose a Color

Garage doors come in a rainbow of colors, but the top picks for garage door colors are usually white, or a shade of white followed by black, gray, and natural wood tones. Of course, there is a range of custom colors that you can choose from to better match the aesthetic of your home.

Most people choose a neutral color because it is easier to match neutral colors to the home. However, that doesn't mean that you must choose a neutral color. You should choose a color that makes you happy with your new garage door. Some people decide they want their garage door to be a pop of color on their home. Either way, one of the steps in choosing your new garage door is to choose the color for the door.

6. Consider Your Budget

Most homeowners are working within a budget for their new garage door. You may absolutely love a specific style and a specific material, but that style and material may not fit into your budget. The good news is, making some slight adjustments to the design and the material can make most garage doors more affordable. Be sure to talk to your garage door company about the various options they offer and their price points, so you can make an informed decision.

Working with a trusted provider can help you find the new garage door that you want at the price point that you need. You may have to compromise a bit, but you will still get the look you wanted. Whichever company you choose, let them know ahead of time what your budget is, so they can provide the appropriate recommendations.

According to the Wall Street Journal, only 11% of homeowners are happy with their garage and would not improve it. That means the vast majority of homeowners are dissatisfied with their current garage door. There are a lot of decisions to make when you are choosing a new one, and relying on professionals to provide guidance is an easy way to gather the information you need to make an informed decision. Getting the facts about new garage doors and fully understanding your options is the single best way to make the right choice. We're here to help! Contact A1 Garage Doors today, and we'd be happy to provide you with any information you need.