Secrets to Finding the Ideal Garage Doors

    When we think of the ideal garage doors, most of us would say that it should be beautiful - gorgeous, actually - and of course, easy to maintain. No one wants a hassle. But if those were the only qualities we listed off, we'd be missing two very important ones: durable and insulated.
    Sure being durable makes sense. But insulated? Why does a garage door need to be insulated? It was well beyond me. So I decided it was time to pay a visit to Clopay, the leading garage door manufacturer in America. While there, I meet with the company's marketing manager Pat Lohse, and she taught me about more than just insulation. During my trip, I discovered the tricks to selecting the ideal garage door.


Selecting the Ideal Garage Door Style

    The best garage door styles for our homes are the ones that match our homes' styles. So before purchasing a new garage door, go outside, and stand far away from your garage door. Pay close attention to the colors and architectural details on your home. Your garage door should mimic and accent what you see.
    For example, if you have a contemporary home with many horizontal lines, then your garage door should also have horizontal lines. If you have a traditional home with white trim, then a carriage style garage door with white trim might be your best bet.
    Once you've found the right style, don't forget to add accessories. Garage doors look their best when they're decked out with decorative windows, door handles, door knockers or strap hinges.


Picking a Maintenance Free Garage Door

    Not all garage doors are maintenance free, which means when looking for your ideal garage door you should consider whether you're willing to spend time maintaining it. While many people adore the look of a wood garage door, they don't adore the work they take to maintain.
    "A wood door you need to maintain," Lohse said. "Every year or two you really need to check to make sure that if it's stained, if the stain is deteriorating or if it's painted, if the paint is peeling."
    In addition to checking a wood garage door's finish, you also need to make sure the door doesn't rot. If that doesn't sound like the job for you, then your ideal garage door may be a steel or aluminum one.
    "The steel door - they're virtually maintenance free," Lohse said. "You need to make sure the door's functioning fine and you need to visually check the rollers and the door. But for the most part you don't need to paint it or anything like that."


Knowing how Durable Your Garage Door Should Be

    Almost all garage doors take so abuse now and then - especially if you have kids that play soccer or basketball. When looking for a durable garage door, it's important to talk to your garage door manufacturer about your lifestyle and environmental conditions. Areas used to having high wind need extra durable garage doors.
    "You need to consider if you're in a high wind area," Lohse said. "Select a door that is appropriate for that area. If the [garage] door is blown out [during a hurricane or high winds] you'll loose pressure and the entire house can go at that point. So it's real important that the door has the appropriate support."
    Your installer and dealer will know what type of garage door you will need in your area. A good rule to follow is the thicker the garage door, the more durable it is.


Insulation and Your Garage Door

    While needing an insulated garage door may not make sense at first, the second someone mentions that it helps to conserve energy, it suddenly starts to make sense. Typically, our garages are attached to our homes. When we heat and cool our home, our garages are places for that hot and cold air to escape. If we have an insulated garage door, that air stays trapped and we require less energy to heat our home.
    In addition to having an insulated garage door, Lohse suggests to make sure the weather stripping at the bottom of your garage door is replaceable. That way when the weather striping wears out you can put in a new one, which will help to keep the hot or cold air from escaping from your garage.
    While it is a good idea to have an insulated garage door, not all garages need one. If you have a garage that is detached from your home that is just for storage, there is no need to have an insulated garage door.