If your garage door is creaking and crawling when it opens, has visible signs of wear, such as cracks or dents, and is doing no favors for your home’s curb appeal, it may be time for a new garage door.
Drive around any neighborhood in Portland and beyond, and you may notice a wide variety of garage door styles, with an abundance of colors, materials, designs, and window styles. With so many options, how do you choose the best new garage door for your home? Overhead Door Company of Portland has been helping homeowners find and install their ideal garage door for decades, and we’ve accumulated a few tips to start your garage door buying journey.
Choosing the right garage door is not an easy decision. The choices extend well beyond just material, encompassing overall design from door operation to hinges and everything in between. As you begin to explore options, keep in mind your desired maintenance level, insulation needs, budget, as well as your style.
When you pick a garage door, first consider your space constraints that can dictate the door’s action or how the garage opens. The most common type of door is a sectional door that is constructed of multiple horizontal panels that slide along tracks that run along the ceiling.
In spaces with limited overhead space, a roll-up door can be a solution as the slats of the door coil into a drum above the door opening. Another option for limited space is a tilt-up or bi-fold retractable garage door, where the entire door tilts outward or bi-folds upward as one or two panels. A custom carriage swing out barn style door is also an option when clearance is limited.
Next, find the right material. We live in the Pacific Northwest, which means we have seemingly endless days of rain. With that in mind, there are some options for garage doors that can perform better in our climate than others. That’s not to say any of the below materials are off the table, but if low maintenance is a priority, there are some better options.
Steel offers a strong, durable, and low-maintenance option and is available in various insulation levels. The design options for steel are seemingly endless, and powder coating provides protection from a high-humidity climate.
Aluminum provides a lighter weight option than steel, making it a better choice for larger doors, plus it is rust-resistant. Aluminum is the perfect match to trendy glass panel doors that let in the light and are the most common door in modern contemporary design.
Wood is the answer if you want a classic door, especially to match a historic or rustic property. It can be custom-designed and gives instant curb appeal. That beauty does require a higher level of maintenance to combat Portland’s weather extremes.
Wood Composite is an option for those who want the traditional look of wood without the heavy maintenance. Today’s options make it hard to discern real from composite and come with the added bonus of enhanced insulation options for energy efficiency.
Fiberglass is another alternative to wood, as it can mimic wood grain. It is also lightweight, suitable for larger doors, rust-resistant, and dent-resistant. If durability and low maintenance are the priorities, fiberglass may be the answer.
Vinyl resists the harsh weather conditions of coastal areas. It is extremely durable, dent-resistant, and low-maintenance. The style options for vinyl are more limited, but sometimes the function needs to outpace design.
What might be the most challenging choice, but the one we argue is the most fun to decide, is style. A new garage door can change the entire look of your property, giving it a refresh and adding to the unique architecture of your home.
The basic styles are highlighted below, but any of these can be customized to suit your taste. We offer design elements such as decorative hardware, specific colors or finishes like wood grain, window count and layout, and even insulation levels.
Traditional has a raised panel which provides a classic look that works with a variety of home styles.
Carriage house is a good fit for a more vintage vibe that fits in with Craftsman, bungalow, or farmhouse homes.
Modern or contemporary offers clean lines with minimal ornamentation and often an abundance of glass as either windows or full panels.
A final consideration is your budget. With Overhead Door Company’s selection and competitive pricing, we’re sure you’ll find a door that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Once the door is installed, your investment is protected by our one-year warranty on labor and materials. Plus, the garage door manufacturers we work with offer additional warranty coverage for materials.
To help you decide, we all offer the DoorViewⓇ Visualizer tool that lets you “try on” different doors by uploading a photo of your existing garage door and popping in different selections to see what looks best.
Don’t put off a new garage door. Explore our door options, check out the door dreamer tool, and call us to schedule a free estimate.