Garage Doors
Though estimates regarding the longevity of garage doors vary based on how much they're used and various other factors like the weather, quality of make and the material that they're made of, generally speaking homeowners can expect them to last for anywhere from 15 to 30 years. But when it comes time to select a new garage door for your home, the options are plentiful. Garage doors today are available in a wider variety of materials, styles and value-added features. Here's a look at what you need to know before deciding on a new garage door for your home.
Types of Garage Doors
As we noted above, garage doors today are available in a wide variety of materials. Among the most popular include:
- Steel
- Wood
- Wood composite
- Vinyl
- Fiberglass
All of the aforementioned materials have their fair share of both pros and cons, so it's important to weigh all of them carefully before making your selection. For example, steel doors are affordable and can be painted to match the home, but they dent fairly easily and may corrode. Vinyl doors require little maintenance and are more resistant to dents or scrapes, but they're among the more expensive of garage door choices.
Aside from garage door materials, homeowners must also select from one of many garage door styles. These include:
- Traditional panel-based doors
- Carriage doors
- Contemporary Doors
- Single Garage Doors
- Double Garage Doors
Lastly, there's also the aspect of value-added features that you can choose from when it comes to the garage door, the most common being insulation. Insulated garage doors can prove beneficial for a variety of reasons. For starters, they can help the garage area stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, thereby also helping the home maintain more comfortable temperatures if the garage is attached to the house. Additionally, insulated garage doors often operate more quietly and are more durable than those that are not insulated.
Measuring for a New Garage Door
Just how do you measure for a new garage door? Start by measuring the width of the opening at the widest point, or the distance between the right and left sides of the finished opening. Consider taking things a step further and framing the inside of the garage door opening with 2 x 6-inch wood pieces. Be sure to also look for general irregularities that should be addressed, notably jambs that aren't square.
Garage Door Costs
Garage door costs vary based on the style of door that is selected as well as the material that the door is made from. That said, single doors can cost as little as $200, yet two or more doors can cost upwards of $4,000. It goes without saying that the better material the garage door is made from, the higher the cost will be. The average homeowner reports spending just north of $1,000 for a new garage door and installation.
How much is garage door installation? Generally, just installation ranges between $500 and $800 for a new door. Installation is rather tedious. While the average DIY homeowner can complete this in about nine hours, it usually takes four to five hours for the trained service professional.