Need a new garage door? Wondering how much a garage door costs? Well, it depends on a couple of major factors. Firstly, and most obviously, it depends on what type of door you buy. Secondly, it depends on who installs it. Today, we’ll discuss different types of wooden garage doors, how to choose the right one for your home, how to get them installed, and the cost of it all.
Garage Door Style
Let’s start with the different styles of garage doors that are available on the market. These styles can be made from different materials, like wood, steel, fiberglass, aluminum, etc. Modern wood garage doors are a very specific type of door. We will cover those, but we also want to give you an overall view of what all your options look like.
Classic Garage Door
This garage door style is the most popular. It is also called a sectional door because it’s made of several sections that hinge together. These doors can be made from any type of material, but steel and aluminum are the most common.
Carriage Garage Door
Carriage house garage doors are designed to look like they swung open on hinges. They are very popular because they add character and charm to a home. They can be made from any type of material but wood is the most popular choice.
Modern Garage Door
Modern garage doors are a very popular choice for homeowners who want a sleek and stylish look for their homes. These doors are made from materials like aluminum and steel and they can be either sectional or carriage style doors. They’re usually made to look like a single panel, or they’re made to look like modern industrial-sized frosted grid windows. You can buy a factory model modern-looking garage door, or you can customize your modern garage door.
Now that you know the different styles of garage doors, let’s talk about how to choose the right one for your home.
How to Choose the Right Garage Door
There are a few things you need to take into consideration when choosing a garage door.
Match the Style of Your Home
The first thing is the style of your home. If you have a modern home, then you’ll want to choose a door that compliments that style. If you have a more traditional home, then you might want to choose a carriage-style door.
Choose the Right Garage Door Material
The second thing you need to consider is the material. Garage doors can be made from wood, steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and more. Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks that you’ll need to research before making a decision.
How Big Is Your Garage?
The third thing to consider is the size of your garage door. You need to make sure that the door you choose is the right size for your garage. If it’s too small, it won’t be able to open and close properly. If it’s too big, then it will take up too much space in your garage.
What Type of Climate Do You Live In?
The fourth thing you need to think about is the climate. If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, then you’ll need to choose a door that can withstand those conditions.
How Often Should I Replace My Garage Door?
You should replace your garage door every 10 to 15 years. The lifespan of a garage door depends on the frequency of use, routine maintenance, environment and climate, and quality of materials. Get a free inspection from your local garage door professionals to see how much life your garage door has in it.
Garage Door Materials
Let’s harken back to choosing the right garage door material. We want to give you an overview of each material. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of each.
Natural Wood
Natural wood garage doors are a very popular choice for homeowners. Natural wood doors are beautiful and they can add a lot of curb appeal to your home. There are many wood garage door configurations to choose from, or you can do a completely custom door. The downside to a wood garage door is that it requires some maintenance. You need to paint or stain wood doors every few years to make the natural wood stand out and to keep them looking their best. They’re also more expensive than other materials.
Faux Wood
Faux wood garage doors are made from materials like steel or aluminum that are designed to look like natural wood tones. They’re a good option if you want the look of wood without the maintenance. They’re also less expensive than a real wood garage door.
Steel
Steel garage doors are a very popular choice for modern contemporary garage doors because they’re durable and they’re low maintenance. People who are gunning for a sleek contemporary style will often opt for a steel door over a fiberglass or wood garage door. You don’t have to worry about painting or staining steel doors if you don’t want to. The downside is that a steel door can dent.
Aluminum
Aluminum garage doors are a good choice if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions. They’re also low maintenance and they won’t rust. The downside is that they can be dented and they’re more expensive than other materials. It’s great for modern doors though because it has that stunning contemporary garage door look and feel to it.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass garage doors are a good choice if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions. They won’t rust or dent and they’re low maintenance. The downside is that they’re more expensive than other materials.
Garage Door Layers and Insulation
Now that you know the different materials used to make garage doors, let’s talk about the different layers and insulation.
Single-Layer Garage Doors
Single-layer garage doors are made from one piece of material. They’re less expensive than other options but they’re not as durable.
Double-Layer Garage Doors
Double-layer garage doors are made from two pieces of material. The first layer is usually a thinner piece of material like aluminum and the second layer is a thicker piece of material like steel. This makes them more durable than single-layer doors but they’re also more expensive.
Triple-Layer Garage Doors
Triple-layer garage doors are made from three pieces of material. The first layer is usually a thin piece of material like aluminum, the second layer is a thicker piece of material like steel, and the third layer is another thin piece of material like aluminum. This makes them even more durable than double-layer doors but they’re also more expensive.
Insulated Garage Doors
Insulated garage doors have an extra layer of polyurethane or polystyrene insulation to help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Polyurethane typically has a higher R-value, while polystyrene insulation can be compared more to styrofoam. Insulated doors are the most energy-efficient door. They’re more expensive than non-insulated doors but they’re worth the investment if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions.
Add-Ons
There are a couple of add-ons you can choose from when you’re picking out your garage door.
Windows
Some garage doors have windows in them. This is a good choice if you want to let natural light into your garage. You can get windows at the top of the garage door, or you can go crazy and choose from offset window models. It’s also a good choice if you want to increase the curb appeal of your home. The downside is that windows can be broken and they’re not as energy efficient as other options.
Decorative Hardware
If you want to add a little bit of personality to your garage door, then you can choose from a variety of decorative hardware options. You can choose from different heavy-duty hinges, handles, and more.
Color
You can also choose the color of your garage door. The most popular choices are white and brown. But, you can also find doors in a variety of other colors. If you go for frosted windows or a nicer stain to make the natural wood stand out, that can cost you more than factory colors.
Garage Door Cost
Now that you know the different materials and features available, let’s talk about cost. The cost will vary depending on insulation, layering, material, size, and finishes.
Less Expensive
Something like a classic-style single-layer door made from aluminum or fiberglass will likely be your most generic and affordable option. This is the most common type of garage door you’ll see across the country.
Mid-Range
An example of a mid-range garage door is a double-layer door made from steel or wood with windows and a custom color to match the aesthetic of the home.
More Expensive
This is where you’d find most of your wooden garage doors. They are very expensive and usually customized in some way.
An example of a more expensive door would be a modern style, triple-layer, insulated wooden garage door with a custom window pattern, high-end finishes, heavy-duty hinges, and top-of-the-line stain color.
Garage Door Installation
Once you’ve chosen your perfect garage door, it’s time to have it installed. This is a job that should be left to the professionals. They will make sure your door is properly installed and they will also dispose of your old door.
Find a Local Professional
The best way to find a good professional is to ask your friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations. You can also check online reviews. Once you’ve found a few options, you should get quotes from each one to compare prices.
Get It Done Right
A garage door is a big investment, so you want to make sure it’s done right. Hire a professional to install your door and you’ll be able to rest assured knowing it was done correctly. Overhead Door Company of Puget Sound, for example, has been in the garage door business for over 100 years. If you want someone who knows what they’re doing and can offer the best service, use a company like Overhead Door.
How Much Does Garage Door Installation Cost?
The cost of installation will vary depending on the company you choose and the complexity of the job. It’s typically more affordable than people assume, but since there are so many factors, we can’t tell you exactly how much it will cost you.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Garage Door?
It usually takes around 4 to 6 hours to install a garage door. This will depend on how many garage doors you need to have replaced, how many technicians show up to the job, the type of door they’re installing, the weather, and the electrical system they have to hook it up to.
Why Should I Avoid Installing My Garage Door Myself?
There are a few reasons why you should avoid installing your garage door yourself. The first reason is that it’s a big job and it’s easy to make mistakes. The second reason is that if something goes wrong, you could injure yourself. The third reason is that if something goes wrong, you could damage your property. It’s better to leave this job to the professionals.
Are Modern Wood Garage Doors Right for You?
Now you know more than the average person about the different types of garage doors. Time to start shopping around for the perfect one for your home, whether that’s a modern wood door or a more classic style door. Keep in mind the different materials, styles, sizes, colors, and features available.
Modern wooden garage doors are typically one of the more expensive options. However, since there is so much variety in garage doors, it’s worth having one priced out for your home. Contact a local garage door expert, like Overhead Door Company of Puget Sound, and request a free inspection and installation quote.
