If you are considering replacing your garage doors, you may be surprised by the variety of doors available to you.
Made out of metal, wood, composite, or fiberglass and with four different types to choose from, there are over a dozen combinations to consider before making a choice.
Types of Garage Doors
Roller
This type of garage door is the most space efficient type, but many homeowners shun roller doors because of their industrial appearance. Made out of thin aluminium strips, this garage door rolls up into a drum and is often automated when installed.
Sectional
Sectional garage doors are the most popular type of garage doors. The door is normally made of wood or metal and is divided into several horizontal sections. The largest advantage of this type of door is its ability to maintain a traditional appearance without having to swing out to open.
Swing Hung
Swing hung garage doors work like a pair of double doors. Hinged on either side, space must be allowed in front of the garage for these doors to open. They can be automated or manually operated.
Up and Over
This type of garage door comes in one single panel that is lifted up and stored in the ceiling of the garage. Because of their large, unbroken profile, care must be taken that the car allows enough room for the garage door to open.
Garage Door Material Choices
Wood and metal are the standard materials for garage doors, but composites and fiberglass garage doors are also available. It is important to choose a material that fits with the overall aesthetic of your house. Consider choosing wood if you regularly change the color of your home, other materials may be more difficult to paint.
Insulated Doors Save Energy
If you are even considering heating your garage or your garage is attached to your house, an insulated garage door is a must. Metal garage doors may have injected foam insulation or polystyrene. If you have a choice, injected foam is almost always preferable for its higher R-value [source]. Wood doors can also have a polystyrene or foam insulation center, but you can also consider a solid wood garage door, which also has a decent R-value.
Garage Door Style Considerations
While style is often the first consideration when choosing a garage door, it should actually be the last thing you think about. Most garage door types are available in a wide variety of styles, including recessed panels, decorative cut-outs, and flush doors.
While you should obviously choose a style that best complements your home, you should also keep in mind that some stylistic additions, such as decorative glass, can reduce the insulative properties of your garage door.
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I have a lot of hands-on experience in the home construction industry, with a good deal of experience in sustainable building. I’m mostly interested in home restoration and home renovations.
