You’re in the market for a new garage door, but you don’t know where to start.
There are so many choices when it comes to garage doors—from the style and color to the materials used and the type of opener. How do you know which one is right for you?
Garage doors are big purchases that can be expensive. They can also be complicated if you don’t know what to look for when buying one. That’s why we’re here! We want you to have all of the information before making this important purchase.
Austin Car Key Pros is here to help. We’ll guide you through all of your options and make sure you get a great deal on the perfect garage door for your home or business.
What To Consider When Choosing Your Garage Door
When it comes to choosing the best garage door for your home, there are lots of options. These doors serve a big purpose in your life, so you need to make sure you get the one that’s right for you.
That’s why we’re here! We want you to have all of the information before making this important purchase.
Austin Car Key Pros offers expert assistance in choosing the right garage doors for your home or business so that when they’re installed, everything goes smoothly and without any problems at all. We also offer free estimates on new installations!
10 Things To Consider When Choosing Your Garage Door
1) Style and Color
The first thing to consider when shopping for a new garage door is style and color. You can choose from nine different styles—from carriage-house to contemporary—and five different colors.
2) Panel Design
The design of the garage door panels is another important thing to consider when shopping for a new garage door. Garage doors come in multiple panel designs, including:
- Flush
Garage door panels come in a variety of designs, but one of the most popular is the flush panel design. This style features panels that are all the same size and shape, and they are attached directly to the door frame.
Flush panel garage doors are a great choice if you want a sleek, modern look for your home. They also tend to be more affordable than other garage door styles. However, they do require more regular maintenance to keep them looking their best.
- T-section
T-section garage doors feature two vertical panels and two horizontal panels. This style is known for its clean lines and minimalistic look. It’s also a great choice for those who want their garage doors to have a more substantial look without being too bulky.
However, T-section garage doors do tend to look less modern than flush panel styles and they may require more ongoing maintenance as well.
- Archtop/single curved
This style features one curved panel at the top of the door. It’s known for its sophisticated design and offers a lot of curb appeal to any home or business. However, this is not an ideal style if you’re looking for something that will help insulate your home.
- Wave (or double crescent)
The wave design is similar to the archtop garage door; however, instead of having one curved panel, it has two panels that curve towards each other. It’s a great option for those seeking a garage door with more architectural detail and character than the flush panel style.
However, like the Archtop/single curved design, this garage door is not ideal if you’re looking for something that will help your home or business stay insulated during the colder months of the year.
- French (or double doors)
The French style features two sets of double doors (four panels total). This style offers an elegant look and makes it easy to pull cars into your garage; however, this design can be expensive and difficult to maintain. These types of garage doors are also not good at insulating your home during the cold winter months—so they might not be a practical choice if you live somewhere that gets very cold.
- Box section
Box section garage doors feature three vertical panels and one horizontal panel. It’s a good choice if you want your door to have a unique, eye-catching appearance while still looking sleek and modern.
- X-section
Like the box section style, the x-section garage door features three vertical panels and one horizontal panel. However, it differs from its counterpart in that it has a unique X shape on each of its four panels. While this design is attractive, it’s not ideal if you’re looking for something that will keep your home or business insulated during the cold winter months.
3) Number Of Panels On Your Garage Door
The number of panels on your garage door can change the look completely. If you’re looking for something that stands out or makes a statement, goes with an odd number of panels (1, 3, or 5). Even numbers are perfect if you want something more traditional (2, 4, or 6).
4) Panel Size
Garage door panels are offered in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes. You can also choose whether you want one or two garage door panels for your garage.
Small panel doors are typically used on garages with single cars, while medium panel doors are more often used on double garages—especially those where the second car may park some distance away from the first car. Extra-large garage door panels are ideal if you have a larger driveway or parking area, or if your garage features multiple bays designed to fit trucks or other large vehicles.
5) Panel Material
Your garage door’s material is an important factor when it comes to insulation value. Garage doors made of R-11 insulation are typically used on garages where one car is kept; while double garage doors feature panels made of R-13 insulation.
You will notice a significant difference in the level of warmth throughout your garage if you opt for more insulating panels, so be sure to keep this in mind if you live somewhere that gets very cold during the winter months.
6) Type Of Roller System You Want To Use
There are four roller systems typically used on garage doors:
S-Wings – This system features two Teflon strips (lubricated to meet all weather conditions) that slide along the door’s track. It typically creates a smooth, quiet ride; however, it doesn’t offer the best insulation values.
Carriage style –This roller system is similar to S-wings; however, instead of having two Teflon strips (lubricated to meet all weather conditions), it has one steel strip. Like its counterpart, it can create a smoother and quieter ride compared to other roller systems; however, it may require regular maintenance and service in order to keep your garage in top working condition.
Rope drive – A rope drive garage door utilizes a continuous steel cable that winds along the door’s track. It is designed to offer better insulation than S-wings and carriage-style garage doors; it also offers consistent performance throughout its lifespan.
Chain drive – This roller system uses high-quality carbon or alloy steel chains that are connected to two wheels on either end of the garage door. The chains are lubricated each time the door opens and closes, which ensures consistent performance—and quieter ride quality—for years to come. Keep in mind that this roller system requires frequent maintenance compared to others.
7) Automatic Door Openers
Automatic opener technology has come a long way in the past few years—and it continues to improve every day! If you’re someone who hates getting out of your car or truck just to open the garage door, an automatic opener could be right for you. Look for features like:
- remote controls
- pressure-sensitive or motion-sensing technology
- alarm systems that alert you when someone enters your garage without your permission.
- a dedicated keypad for entry and exit (ideal if you hate fumbling with keys when it’s dark and cold outside)
- an electronic release in case the power ever goes out; this will allow you to manually open your garage door in an emergency situation.
If you plan on spending much of your time in the garage, you may want to choose an automatic opener with LED lights. These units typically come with a low-energy lighting solution that can be activated by remote control.
8) The Height Of Your Garage Door
The height of your garage door impacts how much headroom you’ll have in your garage when it’s closed. If you’re taller than 6’2″, it may be difficult to complete certain tasks when the door is open (like working under a car or truck). To prevent problems like these from occurring, look for a tall sectional garage door instead—these panels are available in heights between 9′ and 14′.
9) Advanced Features And Accessories
Doors today come equipped with many advanced features as standard equipment—and you can also opt for a wide range of accessories and add-ons. Some popular features include:
- electronic locks
- intercom systems
- remote start/stop options; used to turn on the ignition and drain the fuel tank in your vehicle if it’s parked inside.
- weather seals (to help minimize drafts)
- self-latching technology (ideal for caregivers who need quick access because it requires less force than other types of garage door latches).
- heat shields; aluminum heat shields offer better insulation, soundproofing, and noise reduction qualities compared to their steel counterparts.
When shopping for garage doors, try to find one that offers several different insulation values (R-11, R-13, R-20, etc.). This way you can choose a model that offers the perfect amount of insulation for your garage. If you’re investing in a high-quality door, it may be a better value to invest in a higher grade of insulation as well.
10) Other Important Factors To Consider
There are several other exterior and interior factors that should be considered before making your final purchase. Some popular options include:
- energy efficiency
- low-maintenance components (sealed bearings, low-noise belt drives, etc.)
- a slim profile; also known as minimally designed doors—these doors offer increased headroom compared to standard sectional garage doors.
Keep in mind that they do not come with window options or accessories like locks and intercom systems.
FAQs about Choosing Your Garage Door
What is the most popular garage door style?
The most popular style of garage door is a sectional garage door—it offers the lowest possible cost per square foot, as well as friendly installation and maintenance requirements.
How much should you spend on a garage door?
That depends on how many cars you have and how much space you need.
- For a garage that’s used for 1 car parking and storage, between $300 and $2,500 should do the trick.
- 2 car parking or storage garage doors range between $2,200 and $3,500.
- For garages that are used to house 3 cars or more, look for something in the $4,000-10,000 range.
Can you customize a garage door design?
Yes! Garage door designs come in an assortment of colors and styles—you can choose from traditional
What do large industrial and commercial doors have in common?
Industrial and commercial doors can be found on industrial buildings, warehouses, institutions, office buildings, universities, malls—and even aircraft hangars. These units typically come equipped with security measures like locks and intercom systems. Additionally, they often feature customized options such as signs or graphics to ensure brand continuity throughout your property or campus.
How do I pick the right garage door opener?
It all depends on your budget, the number of doors you’re planning to install, and how much horsepower (measured in amps) you need. Most residential garage door openers range anywhere from ½ hp to 1 hp; commercial-grade units can come with as many as 10-20 hp—but this kind of power is mostly unnecessary for a residential garage.
Other considerations include belt versus screw drives (belt drives tend to be quieter); two-button vs motion-activated controls; and soft start/stop technology or not.
Don’t know what to consider when choosing your garage door?
Austin Car Key Pros has you covered with this guide on what to consider when choosing your garage door.
As you can see, there are a few things to consider when choosing your garage door. It’s important to choose the right style and material of garage door so that it fits in with the overall appearance of your home or business while still doing its job—keeping you warm during those cold winter months!
If you’re looking for a new garage door, we can help you choose the right garage door!