How to Choose the Ideal Garage Door Design to Go with the Design of Your Home
Your garage door is more than just a functional element, it should complement your home’s architecture and reflect the unique style you want to project. It can also enhance curb appeal and provide energy efficiency.
Steel garage doors are a popular option because of their durability and affordability they can also be insulated to reduce energy loss.
Style
Team Garage Door highlights the important part it plays in your home’s aesthetics, as it makes up a major portion—typically one-third or more—of the front facade. As a result, it needs thorough and deliberate attention in your entire design. Fortunately, you have an abundant range of options that will agreeably complement and enhance the appearance of your house.
For contemporary homes, a sleek, sectional steel garage door with a matte finish works well. A frameless door with subtle horizontal planks that resemble hardwood floors is also appropriate for modern homes.
For a more traditional home, a carriage house style is a classic choice. But, don’t be afraid to subvert the accepted norms a simple curve along the upper ceiling line of the garage can have a powerful effect without jeopardizing the functionality of your garage door. Another way to get creative is to add an ornamental trellis or pergola above your garage doors, or paint them with colors that draw the eye and evoke an impression of nature and adventure.
Materials
When it comes to garage doors, there are plenty of options. You can choose the type of material, color and even whether to include windows. Ultimately, you want to find a door that is both aesthetically pleasing and will complement your home’s exterior.
Steel is the most popular choice of material for a garage door because it can be cost-effective and has good energy efficiency. However, it’s not a natural insulator, so you may need to add additional insulation for comfort.
Wood is another classic option for a garage door that provides a sophisticated curb appeal. It’s also a good choice if you have a Victorian or colonial-style home, as it fits the traditional architectural style. You can also choose a door with divided windows or decorative hardware that will enhance the look. Using an online visualization tool, such as the DoorView(tm) design tool from Overhead Door(tm), can be helpful to help you see how different garage door styles and construction materials will look on your house.
Windows
The windows on a garage door offer a variety of options, whether you want to let in light for a beautiful view or add privacy with frosted or obscure glass. You can also choose from a range of window styles, such as square or rectangle, short arches and multipanel sunburst patterns.
Depending on how you use your garage, a window might help you control temperature and sound inside, especially if you have a workshop or finished space over it. You may also want to consider insulated doors for a higher level of energy efficiency and comfort, or if you live in an area that experiences harsh blizzards and cold temperatures.
Once you’ve selected your style and model in DoorView(r), you can choose a color to make your new garage door stand out as a striking accent or blend in with the facade. You can even select a color that matches other details on the home, such as shutters or trim.
Hardware
If you want to accent the style of your garage door, you will need to choose the right hardware for the job. This can be a daunting task, because there are so many colors and styles to choose from. Choosing the wrong hardware can make your garage door look unattractive or overbearing, and this is not the desired effect.
The first step in choosing the right hardware for your garage door is to take a look at how it fits in with the overall design of the house. This is an essential consideration because the garage door must blend in and not compete for attention with the front entry doors of the home.
You should also evaluate whether the garage is a “snout” home that’s more visible from the street than your front door, or if it’s tucked around the back and hidden from view. This will help you determine whether you need to make decorative embellishments, such as top windows or wrought-iron hardware.
