Choosing the Best Options for Your New Garage Door
by
Anne Richards
When it comes to garage doors, there are as many options, styles and price ranges as there are home designs, so it can be somewhat difficult to decide on the best option for your home. First, it will help to understand how garage door manufacturers and resellers classify their products and which options are available within each category.
By doing a little homework upfront, you can save yourself time, stay within your budget, and be sure you are getting the best quality garage door to match your home. A range of options are available when purchasing a new garage doors, including materials, design, panel style and more. Prices can range from $500 for a very basic aluminum door, up to $10,000 for a craftsman’s work of art. Here are some basic classifications that will help you narrow down your options before you start shopping.
Stock Doors: A basic garage door is one that has no significant design, and does not come with glass. For each upgrade, the price of the door will go up, so it is important to be aware of the additional costs you will incur for each level of customization. Choosing a material (wood, steel, aluminum or fiberglass) will probably be your first decision, followed by material quality, insulation, panel design and other upgrades, like windows. However you choose to customize a stock door, the installation will probably be the same price (about $100), but installing a door with windows may cost slightly more.
Semi-Custom: Some homeowners will opt to customize garage doors to better suit their home. Customers in this range will have a broader selection of panel styles, unique glass inserts and other design enhancements. There are also more types of wood available in semi-custom doors, including hemlock, cedar and mahogany. Steel doors within this range will most likely include insulation, which is sandwiched between a steel front and fiberglass inner shell. They will also be coated with a durable, baked-on primer which can be painted. Semi-custom doors allow homeowners to get a bit more creative with the design and color of their doors, which can greatly enhance a home’s overall look.
Custom: These are the most high-end of all garage doors, and can be completely customized with specific panel designs, colors, finishes and materials, all with the goal of making the garage door an integral part of the home’s architectural design. Many manufacturers refer to this level of quality as their “carriage house collection”. Made of the highest quality woods, these doors generally carry a longer warranty, and may cost upwards of $3,000 each. They can be custom-made from architectural plans, which are submitted to the manufacturer. Most of the time, a finished custom door can be delivered within three weeks, but some highly specialized doors will take longer. Many manufacturers allow you to take an online tour of their custom garage doors styles, in a “virtual showroom” format. This is a great way to get ideas and make decisions about your desired level of customization and type of materials.
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