Replacing your garage door will boost your home’s curb appeal, increase home security and the value of your home. An attractive exterior will also improve your changes of a quick-sale, if your house is on the market.
A garage door replacement has an 88.4% return on investment, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report. The insulating value has also improved on newer garage doors. Edmonton home owners could benefit from the increased efficiency of a new garage door, especially if the garage is attached to the house.
Choosing material
Garage doors also come in a variety of materials. The most common are wood, steel or fibreglass. Here are some pros and cons of each.
Wood garage door
Wooden doors are the most classic garage door, giving that rustic and traditional look. Unfortunately, wooden garage doors don’t fare well in Edmonton’s winter climate. They need to be refinished regularly and could become water-logged or warped in bad weather. Wooden garage doors are easy to customize and are in the mid to more expensive price range.
Fibreglass garage door
If you like the look of wood, but don’t want to deal with the maintenance, you can look into fibreglass. Fibre glass can be manufactured to have the appearance of wood or other materials and are less expensive. They require minimal maintenance but can yellow or even crack over time in colder climates.
Steel garage door
Steel doors are also less maintenance than wood, but they can dent or rust over time. Some Edmonton garage door companies will offer a steel door that has a fibreglass overlay to help protect it from rust and dents. High quality steel garage doors will be made from two layers of galvanized steel and be insulated with polyurethane.
If your garage is not heated but is insulated, you should get a garage door that will match the R-value of that insulation in order to protect your parked vehicles from the harsh weather.
Choosing the type and style
Those the most common type of garage door in Edmonton is the roll up door. Roll up doors are pulled up by the garage door opener and follow a set of tracks on the ceiling of your garage. Other types of garage doors include: ‘slide to the side’doors and swing-out carriage house or sliding barn doors, which are good choices if you need to keep the ceiling of your garage clear.
Garage doors come in a multitude of styles. You can choose from different colours, panel patterns, windows, decorative hardware and other features. Garage door companies will have a showroom where you can look at samples and colour chips. Some will even have a virtual design tool where you can design a garage door complete with hardware and place it on an image of your home so you can see what it might look like.
Buying and installing your new garage door
You will find Edmonton’s best garage door companies on RenovationFind.com. Once you’ve found one in your neighbourhood, visit them online or at their showroom to look at samples. They will help you choose the door that will best suit your needs, budget and your home’s appearance.
Before installation, your door space will be measured to ensure your being quoted on the right size of door and make sure no unexpected costs will arise during insulation. From there your project will be scheduled and soon you’ll be enjoying the benefits of your new garage door!
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