Buying a garage door is a lot more complicated than selecting the first one that fits your budget. There are many different materials, styles, sizes, and functionality types to choose from. There are also some important factors to consider when purchasing a garage door.
Cost
Garage doors vary in price from about $400 for single-car-sized doors to over $4,000 for two- or three-car doors, depending on the materials used and added features.
Materials
The most common material used in garage door construction is steel due to its durability, affordability, and appearance. Wooden garage doors are popular due to their traditional look and can be stained or painted to match your home’s style and color. Glass garage doors provide a modern look and allow natural light into the garage but tend to be more expensive and can make your home more vulnerable to break-ins. Vinyl garage doors have become increasingly popular due to their low maintenance costs and attractive appearance.
Size
When buying a new garage door or availing garage door replacement Portsmouth service, it is important to measure your current door opening. A good rule of thumb is that you should leave three inches on each side of the opening free for safe installation purposes. If you don’t know how big your current opening is, it is best not to assume anything but instead measure the width (left to right) of the opening and the height (top to bottom) of the opening. The ideal width ranges from 28 inches to 36 inches and the ideal height is 7 feet, measured from the top of the exterior door trim to the center of the garage floor.
The most common material used in the construction of garage doors is a steel skin encased in a wood frame. Steel skins can be comprised of galvanized steel, aluminum or steel alloys. Steel is a strong, flexible material that holds up very well over time and provides good insulation from the elements. Aluminum is a very lightweight material that is easily damaged when exposed to the elements.