Garage doors aren’t just essential to keeping your vehicles safe – they also enhance your home’s facade. When choosing a new garage door, evaluate each option for durability, life span, mechanics, and aesthetics. Use the guide to door types, materials, and features to help you choose the perfect look for your home.

A Guide to Picking the Right Garage Door

1. Choose Your Preferred Type 

There are four basic types of garage doors. Roll-up garage doors feature panels situated on two tracks at the top to move the door up and down. As the name implies, swing-up doors have a single panel that opens outward and upward, extending onto your drive. Carriage garage doors have two panels that open outward from the sides. Though perfect for older or traditional homes, they also come in modern styles. There are also side-mount garage doors that slide open horizontally. Generally speaking, single-panel garage doors are cheaper, but their extension springs may require more upkeep. 

2. Pick Your Materials

There are several materials often used in garage doors. Wood is a durable, classic option, but may require new coats of paint or stain over the years. Wood composite is lighter and cheaper and requires less upkeep. Fiberglass is extremely versatile, but may yellow with age and become brittle in cold winters. Metals like super lightweight aluminum and heavier steel are also popular and long-lasting, though aluminum is prone to denting and steel to rusting. Vinyl is also a low-maintenance and nearly indestructible option. All of these materials can be painted or dyed to match your desired look. You can even choose a door that’s entirely made of glass panes fitted into a metal frame for an ultramodern design.

3. Add Design Features

To boost your home’s value, every element of your garage door should match your property’s existing aesthetic, including design features like windows and hardware. If you live in a Victorian-style home, for example, carriage doors with grooved panels and ornate wrought-iron hinges and knockers will beautifully complement the architectural features of your home. If you’re going for a more modern look, a sliding door with a flat panel, a column of frosted window panes at the side, and a polished metal pull handle may be just what your home needs. Lastly, consider adding insulation to your door, especially if you’ll be spending time working on hobbies or projects in the garage.  

If you need a new garage door installation, contact the experts at Superior Overhead Door LLC in New Haven County, CT. Their team has over 30 years of experience providing installations, repairs, and maintenance on top brands like Clopay®, Everite®, and LiftMaster®. These experts will help you choose the right material, style, and features to suit your needs. Call (203) 881-2207 or visit the website for information on their free estimates and to learn about the many varieties of doors that they carry.