A garage door is an important component to any home. It represents much of a house’s façade and is your home’s largest piece of moving equipment. As a homeowner, you want to be proud of your home, therefore you want a garage door that:
- Enhances your home’s appearance
- Works well and efficiently as well as requires minimum maintenance
- Lasts for years to come
You know little about garage doors. Don’t worry… It’s only normal. How are you going to choose a door and have it installed to your satisfaction? Keep reading below to find out the 5 most important things you need to consider before purchasing a garage door.
What kind of door should I buy?
Garage doors are typically made from three different types of materials: metal (steel or aluminum), wood or vinyl.
- Metal (steel /aluminum) garage doors are among the most popular today (85% of the market in North America). The cost of a steel door is lower than a door made of any other material. Aluminum is mostly chosen for its weight. Steel doors may be ordered in many colors. Both are insulated and require very little maintenance. Metal doors come in various styles: contemporary, modern, carriage house, classic, ranch, mixed panels, ribbed or flush.
- Wood garage doors have been around for the longest period of time. Wood has a natural beauty and is versatile. It may be painted or stained. The quality of wood doors varies from wood composite to solid wood construction. They are available in a very wide price range. The more you pay, the better the quality. If you choose a wood door, you should plan to spend some time maintaining it.
- Other materials such as vinyl or fiberglass. Vinyl garage doors are completely maintenance free. They are scratch resistant. While the initial cost of a vinyl door is greater than doors made of other materials, the long‑term cost is lower. Finally, fiberglass garage doors are the most expensive garage doors on the market. Their rich wood appearance (oak, cedar, etc.) is the first reason consumers buy them.
What company should I buy from?
Unfortunately, the garage door industry in Canada and in the USA is not strictly monitored. There are many fly‑by‑night companies that are not insured and do not provide their employees with workers’ compensation.
You want to look for a company that
- is professional and courteous
- supplies references from previous customers upon request
- provides their technicians with uniforms and clean trucks
- carries adequate insurance
- gives you written warranties on both materials and labor
Most important, choose a company that provides training for their technicians. Every year, there are more accidents related to garage doors than to lawnmowers and snow blowers combined. You can avoid potential garage door accidents with a technician who is properly trained and certified in safety procedures.
When do I need to buy a new garage door?
The most obvious reason to replace your garage door is when it does not operate properly and is a potential hazard. A garage door is a heavy moving wall that, over time, can pose greater potential danger to you and your family.
The accident rate for garage doors is higher than you may think. Thus, you need to replace a door before it contributes to those statistics.
Another reason for replacing your garage door is that you want to create a good first impression of your home. When someone approaches your driveway, the garage door is one of the first things they see. Doors that are dented, rusted, reveal cracks and have peeling paint create a poor first impression of your home and lifestyle.
Or, maybe you want a new garage door simply because the door panels are deteriorating and you are weary of continually maintaining them.
Where do I purchase a garage door?
There is a wide range of choices of retailers when purchasing a garage door: big‑box stores, door and window dealers and garage door specialists. It is strongly suggested to deal with reputable garage door specialists. Installers learn their trade on the job. That’s how they discover the special techniques that enable them to install doors under the most difficult circumstances.
This company can send a sales representative to your home, and/or they may have a showroom that you and your family can visit so you can see exactly what you are buying. These companies employ their own installers and technicians and will guarantee materials and labor. They also maintain inventories so they are able to complete your installation quickly. Their motto is "Quality work time after time!"
Warranty – How well do I understand it?
Just about all garage doors come with a warranty. Make sure you know exactly what is being promised to you. A garage door has many components: sections, insulation, decorative windows, hardware, electric opener, etc. Find out if the written warranty covers all parts and labor. When you read the fine print, you may find quickly what the warranty does not cover. Be sure to check everything that is promised to you.
Keep this in mind …
In the end, if you can remember just one thing, let it be this: a garage door’s performance and long‑term durability depends as much on the quality of the installation as on the quality of the product itself.
Contact us at 613-749-2138 if you have any questions in relation to this blog. We guarantee our work in order to ensure your complete satisfaction. We can respond to a service call in just a few hours. You can also send us an online request for a free quote.
Finally, if you plan on changing your garage door, use our interactive online Design Centre to create your own garage door. Upload a photo of your home and then change its garage door. See for yourself!
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