Almost two in three US homes constructed in 2019 featured two-car garages. One in five new constructions back then even had garages huge enough to fit in at least three cars!
All that proves how US homeowners prefer having a garage. After all, most people in the country own at least one vehicle.
If you plan to add a garage yourself or renovate an existing one, you’d want to invest in the best garage door. It’s not only for your convenience; your choice will also impact your safety and security.
We’ll share a few pointers to help you choose the right door, so be sure to read on.
Climatic Conditions in Your Area
Humid ocean air corrodes metal 10 times faster than normal humid air. So if you live in a coastal area and want a metal garage door, consider galvanized steel. Galvanized garage door materials have a protective zinc coating to prevent rust.
If you live in a humid area and have your heart set on a wood garage door, go with cedar or redwood. Both have an innate resistance to decay, which humidity can hasten. They also have good resistance to rot and insects.
What if your area has a moderate climate and you want a new garage door that’s light and easy to maintain? Aluminum can be a good choice; plus, it’s resistant to corrosion, cracks, and scratches. However, since it’s lightweight, it can develop dents more quickly than steel.
Energy Efficiency
Air leakage can waste 25% to 40% of heating and cooling energy in the average home. Gaps around doors are some of the biggest contributors to such air leaks. The bigger the door, the greater the air leakage that can occur in them.
Considering how big garage doors can get, you’d want your new one to be as energy-efficient as possible. In garage doors, R-value denotes their energy efficiency and insulation value. The higher the R-value, the more efficient and insulating the door is.
Aesthetic Appeal
Keep in mind that a garage door can take up half or more of your home’s front exterior. At the very least, a single garage door can measure eight feet tall and seven feet wide. If it doesn’t match the rest of your home, your home’s curb appeal can significantly drop.
An online visualization tool can give you an idea of how your new door would fit into your home. It’s a program that’s kind of like the Sims game, as it lets you conceptualize and design a garage door. You can see here more details on how to design a door using these nifty online tools.
Extra Safety and Security Features
All garage door openers made starting January 1, 1991, must have a safety reversing system. This feature forces the door to reverse within two seconds if it senses an obstruction. It’s a federal regulation all garage door opener manufacturers must meet.
An optional safety and security add-on for a new or garage door replacement is a Wi-Fi adapter. This device provides remote access control and monitoring through a mobile app. The app allows you to check the door’s position or even open or close it with a few taps.
Another useful feature to consider is an automatic garage door closer with a sensor. The sensor can detect a door’s position, such as if it’s still open or already shut. If it’s wide open, the sensor will trigger the closer to close the door automatically.
These additional attributes can help reduce the odds of your home getting burglarized. Do note that in one in three burglaries in the US, the criminals gained access to homes via an unlocked door. That includes internal and external garage doors.
Invest in the Best Garage Door
As you can see, the best garage door is not just affordable; its design should be appropriate to your climate. The safer, more secure, energy-efficient, and appealing it is, the better.
So, be sure to take your time shopping around and designing a door before you actually buy one.
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