Considerations for Choosing the Best Garage Door

new garage door.jpgChoosing a garage door is a major decision. It is going to be part of your home and one of the first things that people see when they visit you. As such, it should complement your home’s exterior décor. But there are other things to consider when choosing the best garage door to have installed.

Window Location

You can find many styles of garage doors that have windows installed in them. But before purchasing one of these types of doors, it is important to decide where you want those windows. If they are too low, it will be easy for people to see inside your garage. If you prefer to have the windows at eye level, consider frosted windows. This will allow light to come in, but it will also protect your privacy. Or simply opt for windows along the top panel of the garage door so they will be above eye level. This will prevent people from looking inside.

Curb Appeal

Your garage door is one of the biggest visible spaces on the front of your home. If you plan on selling your home in the near future, the curb appeal of the door you choose should be a major factor in your decision. A good first impression is essential to a fast sale. It may even affect the price if it makes your home stand out from the rest in the neighborhood. Even if you plan to stay in your home for many years, there are enough options to choose from that you should be able to find several garage doors that will give your home a fresh appearance.

Replacing the Hardware

When you replace your garage door, it may be necessary to replace the hardware that you were using for the old garage door. At the very least, it is recommended that you replace the existing tracks because most garage doors are designed to work with specific track systems and your current one may not be compatible with the new door.

Made for Kids

If you have kids, finding a garage door that can stand up to the abuse may be more costly, but it will be worth it. Kids have a tendency to abuse garage doors by using it as a backstop for soccer balls, baseballs, and anything else they can throw at the door. There are garage doors designed to take abuse like this and they are a great alternative to the doors that will show dents and divots. Choose doors made of thicker-gauge steel and added insulation or a wooden door if you are concerned about the abuse that it will take.