A garage door protects the items stored inside from harsh weather, making your garage more useful as a workspace. It also dampens outside noise.

Steel doors are the most popular because they’re low-cost, durable, customizable, and offer a variety of window options. Opt for an insulated model to help reduce energy costs. Contact JCTZ Garage Doors now!

As garage doors evolve from purely functional barriers to key home design and energy efficiency components, homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to customize their options. Whether it’s through color, material or style choices, garage door professionals can help homeowners find a solution that complements their home architecture and provides both beauty and function.

One way to make a garage door stand out is to add windows. These are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They can be tinted or frosted to preserve privacy or allow natural light to flow into the garage. The number of windows and their positioning on a garage door can also be customized to suit the aesthetic preferences of each homeowner.

Another popular customization option is to dress up a garage door with decorative hardware. This can include hinges in different styles, handles with a variety of finishes and even clavos (decorative straps or brackets) to accentuate a design detail. Many manufacturers offer a full range of window, hardware, and design options for homeowners to choose from.

Lastly, homeowners can upgrade their garage door’s appearance by adding stone accents to the frame. These can be placed in a variety of locations, including the top, bottom, or sides of the frame. The addition of these elements will add a touch of elegance and luxury to the garage door, and it can also serve as a focal point that will attract the attention of passersby.

Garage door professionals can offer a range of custom-designed solutions, from traditional and carriage house designs to contemporary designs that will enhance any modern home. They can also recommend the best garage door materials, depending on weather conditions and the architectural style of each homeowner’s home. For example, steel is a durable choice that is also low-maintenance, while aluminum and fiberglass are lighter and can be crafted to match wood designs.

Choosing the right garage door can increase the value of a home, making it more attractive to prospective buyers. With a wide variety of customization options, it’s easy to find the perfect solution to fit each homeowner’s unique tastes and budget.

Durability

The material a garage door is made from will have a significant impact on its durability. Wood, for example, is susceptible to moisture and weather damage and can warp, swell or rot if not properly sealed and maintained. It also requires regular upkeep, including sanding, staining and repainting.

Steel doors offer unmatched durability, withstanding the impact of stray baseballs and other accidents as well as severe weather like hail and wind. These doors are also strong enough to resist warping, sagging and rusting. Modern steel and aluminum doors feature factory-baked finishes that are resistant to fading, peeling and cracking due to harsh sun and changing temperatures. They also need less maintenance than other types of materials and can be field-stained to match any home exterior color.

Fiberglass is another durable material that can withstand harsh weather conditions and resist rust, corrosion and insect damage. It is lightweight and provides better insulating values than other materials, but it can be more expensive.

Metals are a great choice for homeowners who want the durability of steel with the added benefit of energy efficiency. These doors have a low thermal transfer coefficient, meaning they keep heat in and cold out. They are also very quiet, saving homeowners from the noise associated with other types of garage doors.

Choosing the right type of garage door for your property will depend on your needs and budget. Some factors to consider include the quality and price of the material, the frequency of use, the local climate and the level of maintenance needed.

A wood garage door will provide a classic look and is available in a variety of styles and designs, including raised panels, carriage house styles, true arches and grooves. It is easy to field-stain to achieve a desired look and finish, and offers a range of R-values from R-2.5 to R-7. However, it is more likely to warp and swell than other materials and may require more frequent refinishing, sanding, or repainting. In addition, it can be quite heavy and can be difficult to operate manually.

Security

Many homeowners overlook the security that their garage doors provide. The simple fact is, a burglar can walk into your home through the garage door and steal all kinds of valuables. This could include your tools, your car, or even that expensive mountain bike you keep locked up in the garage.

Thankfully, there are plenty of garage door security upgrades available to make sure your family and belongings remain safe and sound in the event of an attempted break-in.

Consider a few of the most popular options for enhancing your garage’s security:

Manual Deadbolt

A manual deadbolt is an excellent upgrade to any garage door, adding an extra layer of security by making it more difficult to force open the door. This feature is particularly important in older homes, where a burglar can use the door’s track to leverage themselves into opening the garage door by simply pulling on the handle.

Reinforced Door Materials

Steel and solid wood are two of the most durable and rugged materials that can be used to make a garage door, giving it a significant level of protection against forced entry attempts. The increased strength of these materials also makes it more difficult for a burglar to tamper with or remove any mechanisms that operate the garage door.

Automatic Reverse and Backdrive

Many homeowners neglect to consider the safety of their garage door until it’s too late. This feature (standard on all newer models) is designed to prevent injury or property damage by detecting people or objects in the path of the door as it closes. Essentially, the system uses photo eyes to send an invisible infrared beam across the doorway and if something interrupts it, the door will stop closing and reverse its direction.

Security Cameras

A security camera can be a powerful deterrent for criminals, as it provides an easy way to monitor your home from the comfort of your smartphone. This feature is an essential part of any modern home security system and can go a long way toward keeping your family safe.

For a more comprehensive level of security, you can opt for an insulated garage door with a high-strength steel construction and insulating material. This combination gives the door a strong and sturdy frame, while also providing energy efficiency benefits.

Energy Efficiency

An insulated garage door adds comfort to your home by keeping the space warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It also reduces your energy consumption by lowering your heating and cooling bills. In addition, eco-friendly garage doors help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by limiting the demand for fossil fuels for power generation. This can significantly improve your household’s sustainability.

Insulated garage doors are available in a variety of styles and materials to suit your preferences. You can choose from double- or triple-layer insulated steel options, which are the most durable and provide superior insulation for your garage. Steel is a highly energy-efficient material with excellent resistance to corrosion, warping and other harsh weather conditions.

Look for a garage door with a high R-value to maximize its energy efficiency. This number measures the resistance of the material to heat flow, and a higher value means greater thermal performance. You should also check the door’s U-factor, which is the inverse of R-value and measures how much heat is transferred through the garage door’s surface. Additionally, check the air leakage rating to ensure that your garage door is properly insulated and sealed.

You can improve the energy efficiency of your garage door even more by installing a programmable thermostat, which allows you to regulate the temperature of your garage independently from your home’s climate control system. Finally, you can further reduce your energy consumption by implementing energy-efficient lighting fixtures in your garage.

Garage doors require regular maintenance, but the frequency depends on the type and design of the door. Most manufacturers recommend lubricating the hinges and rollers twice per year with lightweight motor oil. You should also inspect the tracks for gaps or dirt and wash them regularly. Regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your garage door.

In the past, garage doors were only seen as a necessary barrier to protect vehicles and equipment. However, nowadays, they are becoming a vital component of home design, with smart features that enhance security and energy efficiency. As a result, it is important to invest in a quality garage door that is both functional and beautiful.