Next time you’re driving around the neighborhood, make it a point to look at the homes and especially their overhead garage doors. How much of the exterior view is represented by those doors? Typically, you’ll find that it’s not less than a third of the home, and oftentimes it’s even more.
Obviously, your choice of door is going to be a big part of that first impression people will form about your home, so finding one that best complements your home and satisfies your needs is something to give some serious thought to. This becomes even more important when the it’s time to sell – you don’t want to chase a potential buyer away before they even get inside!
Today, the range of design and material options is almost endless. You could spend days looking through everything that’s available before you find a door that not only secures your home and enhances its curb appeal, but also improves its energy efficiency at the same time.
To help you narrow those options a bit, here are five important categories to consider when buying or replacing an overhead door.
1. Cost
We all have spending limits! It is essential to have a budget in mind when looking into any major purchase. Give yourself a realistic range to work within that includes both a high-end and even a low-end amount that you are willing to spend.
2. Lifestyle
If you have children or use the garage as a workshop, your best choice is an insulated, heavy gauge steel door that isn’t going to dent every time a ball or bike hits it. And think twice about windows (or at least the type of windows) if you have baseball players! A good door will last 15-20 years if properly maintained and should get you through those years when kids are most apt to have a few run ins with it.
3. Style
Trying to decide on a look that best fits your home is probably going to be the hardest decision of all. By setting a budget, you’ll narrow down the choices. While you’re on that drive around the neighborhood, check out the garage doors that seem to enhance the overall appearance of homes similar to yours. Geauga Door professionals are a good source to consult if you’re struggling here and can help direct you to a style that best fits your home and your budget.
4. Insulation
Not all doors need insulation. However, if your lifestyle includes children, then an insulated door will keep your garage at a more comfortable temperature when you’re loading and unloading the kids, their friends, the dogs, cats, etc.! Other than that, it’s more of a personal preference. If your workshop is in the garage, you’ll want insulation. And with severe weather changes, which do happen all too often in Northeast Ohio, it may be more cost effective to choose an insulated door if your garage is attached to your home.
5. Maintenance
Steel or fiberglass doors will require the least amount of maintenance, but no door is absolutely maintenance-free. Cleaning the door and lubricating the moving parts of the door should be done once a year at the very least.
Wooden garage doors are certainly beautiful and add a warmth and even rustic appeal, but keep in mind that maintenance costs increase. They will need to be painted, treated, and/or stained once every couple of years.
If all this seems a bit overwhelming, call us! Geauga Door Sales & Services has been providing quality service, products, and installation to customers, including contractors, for over four decades. We have plenty of options to choose from and can answer all your questions as you go through the process of finding the right overhead garage door for your home.
Geauga Door Sales & Service, Inc.
14249 Kinsman Road
Burton, OH, 44021
toll free: 800-654-Door (3667)
440-834-4949
Follow them on Facebook!
