Choosing which garage door installation service is best for you is one of the most important decisions that you can make. This decision affects residential value, curb appeal, and meeting the functional needs of your home. Our goal is to help you to determine the features that are essential in your garage door selection. With so many choices of garage door styles available, we’ll make sure that you’re asking the right questions before you choose your garage door installation service.
Before you get ready to purchase a new garage door, make sure that you have the answers to the questions below.
What is the primary function of your garage?
How you intend to use your garage will determine the material features that are necessary in your garage door selection. So, before you go garage-door shopping, think about what your intentions are for the space. Will you spend a lot of time in the garage? Or, will you use it primarily for storing your vehicles? Will you work from your garage? If so, will you be working with potentially hazardous chemicals?
Should Your Garage Door Be Insulated?
During the extreme heat of Georgia summers, a bedroom above the garage may feel like a sauna. As hot air fills the garage, the heat rises to the upper floor of the home’s interior. This greatly impacts the temperature inside. Meanwhile, the air conditioning unit kicks into high gear for a cost that your utility company will love. In winter months, non-insulated garage doors just can’t protect the family from the winter chill. Consequently, those who might live in the room above the garage are going to need an extra set of blankets at night.
Most importantly, energy efficiency is in. And, sellers are reaping the rewards of making energy efficient investments. Spending more on the insulated feature during your garage door selection will cut costs on monthly electricity bills, which is a great bonus for potential home buyers. Furthermore, when a garage door is well insulated, the exterior air-flow into the house from the garage is limited and maintained. Though the garage is not a conditioned living space, an insulated door aids in keeping the temperature of the garage at a more comfortable degree.
When choosing between insulated and non-insulated garage doors, consider the temperature extremes for your area and the impact of your annual energy usage. Hence, if you tend to use more energy in the summer and winter months, take a second look at the garage. Finishing the walls and replacing the non-insulated garage door with an insulated upgrade could make the garage, upstairs, and your wallet more comfortable in the long-run. So, which installation service is best for you? It depends on your area!
Insulation Type | Cost Recovery | Who Should Purchase? |
| Insulated Garage Doors | 93.1% (South Atlantic Region) |
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| Non-Insulated Garage Doors | 97.2% (South Atlantic Region) |
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When is a Non-Insulted Garage Door Beneficial?
There are some circumstances in which non-insulated doors are a better option. Aside from a lower immediate cost for construction, the average recovery cost upon resale is at 97.2% in the Atlanta area for 2016 when the upgrade is a basic, non-insulated steel door. In addition to a high return in property value, a cost-efficient upgrade that adds curb appeal without the additional insulation feature can grab the attention of potential buyers by shaving years off the home’s age.
Similarly, another situation when a non-insulated garage door can be more beneficial than an insulated door is when your garage is used to store materials with harmful fumes. If you plan to include the garage as a conditioned living space, but store your paints, pesticides, lawn mowers, or vehicles in the garage, harmful fumes can become trapped, and leak into your home. Energy star suggests that if the garage will be used for items that could be harmful to those living in the home, insulating the areas between the garage and the home are more beneficial than opting for insulated garage door upgrades.
What is the difference between the gauges of the garage door?
The gauge of a garage door distinguishes the thickness of the metal sheet used to construct the door. The gauge of the door is important when you are considering the durability and strength for a long-lasting door. As with any feature of longer lasting durability, the cost of a thicker gauge garage door is more than a lower gauge door. So, depending on the gauge of the door, the weight will vary. And this will determine the type of hardware necessary to operate the door. Garage door gauges are typically described as 24-gauge, 25-gauge, and 26-gauge. Consequently, the lower the gauge number, the thicker the metal in the garage door.
Which installation service is best?
There are five primary types of garage door installation services that you can choose from depending on your personal style, budget, and property goals. And while it may seem overwhelming, remember that any type of new garage door is going to increase the curb appeal and the value of your home immediately. The chart below outlines each style and its characteristics.
TYPE | MATERIAL/STYLE | EFFICIENCY |
| Raised Panel | American/Traditional. Top-quality vinyl and steel; wood-grain textures. Appeals to those who want a classic, American garage door at a lower-end budget. | 6.85 R-Value (thermal resistance to heat flow) |
| Stamped Carriage | Similar in design to raised panel, but with an elegant, carriage appearance (looks like two doors that open from the center). With the same lower costs as the raised panel, this option offers customers a more creative and unique design for their garage door. | 6.85 – 10.25 R-Value |
| Custom | Perfect for homeowners who want to increase curb appeal and who prioritize unique architectural design. Custom garage doors allow for a wide range of high-end materials and many design options. | R-Value will vary depending on model and materials chosen. |
| Faux Finish | Moderately priced custom doors that achieve the appearance of real wood without the cost. | R-Value will vary depending on model and materials chosen. |
| Overlay | For the detail-oriented home owner. Choices include colors, layers, two-toned finishes, window options, and carriage house. | R-Value will vary depending on model and materials chosen. |
So, when you are ready to make a change to your garage door, consider a garage door installation specialist. We will give you your options and help you choose which installation service is the right door style for your home.