Helpful Hints for Replacing Your Garage Door

September 19, 2015 Guest Post

With seven out of 10 Americans using the garage door as their primary entrance to the house, choosing the correct replacement door is a decision that should be carefully considered. The type of door, the material of the door, the reason for replacement, as well as the cost should all be considered when purchasing a new garage door.

There are many reasons why garage doors are replaced. Some reasons include:
• It does not properly operate
• It presents as a hazard to the users
• It does not offer the desired level of security
• It does not offer the convenience of a keypad
• It does not enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home

Whatever the reason for replacement, there are several options the individual should consider. Garage doors come in wood, steel, aluminum, and sometimes a combination of different materials. In addition, they come in 4 basic styles: swing out, swing up, roll up, and slide to the side.

Wooden Garage Doors
Wooden doors offer the greatest customization; they can be painted or stained in any color desired. They are very beautiful, offering an aesthetic appeal other materials can only pretend to imitate. The downside, though, is that they are often expensive and they require upkeep; they must be refinished and repainted often.

Steel Garage Doors
Steel doors, while not as beautiful to some homeowners, are durable and require little maintenance. They are relatively inexpensive and, to help alleviate some scratches and dents that may occur, there is the option of a fiberglass overlay. A fiberglass overlay will help prevent scratches and dents form marring the surface of the door; however, the overlay will require maintenance in the form of repainting or re-staining, since the color will fade over time.

When purchasing a steel door it is important to remember that the smaller the gauge, the stronger the door: a 24 gauge door will be stronger than a 27 gauge door.

Aluminum Garage Doors
Aluminum doors offer a rugged look, which is also rustproof. In addition, because they are very light they are suitable for use on an extra-wide double door. They don’t require much maintenance but they are expensive—sometimes as much as $10,000.

Multiple Material Garage Doors
Some doors are made of multiple materials, often to lower the price. Such doors include lightweight wooden frames that are packed with foam insulation and enclosed in a hardboard or plywood skin. Other combination doors include those with an aluminum frame that surround high-density polyethylene panels.