Best garage door to suit your home’s style

Today’s most popular door type by far is the sectional overhead door, which usually comprises four or five horizontally hinged sections that roll up into the garage ceiling on a curving track.

There’s little doubt that this is the most easily operated garage door design since the Victorian biparting door — a fact that explains its wide use as a replacement for older types.

First, a quick rundown on sizes: Single-bay doors are typically 8 or 9 feet wide by 7 feet high, while double-bay doors are typically 16 feet wide (occasionally 18) by 7 feet high. Double-bay doors are mainly found on broadly proportioned home styles such as California ranchers.

As for choosing a door design to suit your home’s architecture: Although the current fashion in sectional doors is for very showy and elaborate designs with raised or recessed panels, ornate windows and the like, these aren’t necessarily the best choice for your home. Ranch-style houses, for example, typically look best with very simple and unrelieved doors, and anything more ornamental can look overwrought, drawing attention away from the front entrance.

On the other hand, a bland, unadorned garage door will look very strange on a traditional home style. The best approach is to reflect the same general level of detail that’s found on your home: If you have a traditional-style house with lots of exterior moldings and trim, then a moderately ornate garage door will probably look fine. However, if it’s a relatively clean Mid-century home style, you’re better off choosing a simpler door with a plain plywood finish.

Pre-Depression-era homes, which were originally fitted with either biparting or bypassing garage doors, present a special case. The horizontal proportions found on most stock sectional doors, whether plain of fancy, look foreign on houses of this era. Door manufacturers do offer super-high-end designs that attempt to hide the sectional door’s telltale horizontal joints, mimicking old-fashioned doors. But the prices of these doors can be astronomical, sometimes ranging into five figures.

Lastly, a word about windows: Most sectional door manufacturers offer optional glass lites for their doors, as well as a whole array of divider patterns to fit over them. Although additional light in the garage is always welcome, choose these window designs carefully. The now over-familiar sunburst pattern, for example, is very well suited to Colonial-style houses, but not to much else. Likewise, arch-topped windows are probably not the thing for a California rancher.

Take your time choosing the right style of garage door for your home. After all, it’s the biggest door you’ve got.

Uniqueness of Steel Garage Doors

There are many unique types of garage doors that could be appealing to a homeowner. Depending on the architecture of the house, there are other kinds that are somewhat unique to the common eye.

The most popular is that of the various steel doors that are available. Unlike wooden garage doors, a steel type of garage door doesn’t develop cracks, it won’t warp or contract in any weather. These steel garage doors are made of galvanized steel, which prevents it from rusting even after several years. Also, this low-maintenance garage door will save you from repainting costs unlike the wooden one.

Another appealing factor of steel garage doors is that with its extensive styles and design, you can choose the one that has a wooden effect, if your house demands that you should install a wooden door. Compared to a wooden door, with its almost maintenance free and affordability features, the steel door is the winner.

You’ll find that steel garage doors have various styles, features and benefits. You just have to take into consideration what door works best for you and your budget.