A garage door is a long term purchase and a large part of what people see from the street. Five decisions cover nearly everything.
1. Style
Match the door to the architecture. Raised panel doors suit most homes. Carriage house doors fit craftsman, farmhouse and older homes. Modern and full view glass doors suit contemporary and mid-century houses.
2. Material
Steel is durable, affordable and low maintenance. Aluminum and glass are light and contemporary. Wood is beautiful and needs regular refinishing. Wood look steel and composite give the appearance of wood with far less upkeep.
3. Insulation
An insulated door is cooler, quieter and stronger. In Central Texas it is worth it for almost any attached garage. See insulated garage doors.
4. Windows
Windows add daylight and break up a large surface. Choose frosted or tinted glass if you want privacy. Consider where the sun hits: glass on a west facing door lets in heat as well as light.
5. Colour
Matching the trim is the safe choice; matching the front door or going dark makes more of a statement. Darker colours run hotter in direct sun. If you have an HOA, start with its approved list.
Before you order
- Have the opening measured professionally, including headroom and side room.
- Ask for the door’s R-value and steel thickness so you can compare models fairly.
- Confirm that new tracks, springs and hardware are included.
- Ask about lead time.
Ready to look at options? See garage door installation.
