What to Know When Buying A New Garage Door

Are you searching for the perfect garage door? Many homeowners often overlook the importance of being well-informed about their garage doors. A careless purchase of a new garage door can result in frustrating days and costly repairs in the future. At Dodds Garage Doors, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide where we’ll uncover the eight vital factors about garage doors that you should know of before you make a decision. We assure you that this is not an endeavor you will regret. This new garage door will not only provide security and functionality, but also seamlessly complement the architectural style of your home. Let’s dive into what we consider the most vital factors to consider before purchasing a new garage door in Ontario.

What Type Do You Want for Your New Garage?

Materials for garage doors come in a wide range of options. Each type of material has its own look, its own aesthetic appeal, and of course, how much it can withstand. Garage doors can be constructed from wood, steel, vinyl, glass, and fibreglass. Each premium material has its own distinct advantages. When choosing your new garage, take a look at these examples for material:

• Steel Garage Doors: Steel doors are widely favoured for their robustness and longevity. They often provide a variety of insulation options to efficiently regulate the temperature inside your garage. Moreover, these doors are available in a variety of designs, ranging from wood-like textures to contemporary styles.
• Wood Garage Doors: Wooden garage doors offer an enduring charm that can elevate the overall exterior of your home. While they require regular maintenance and are prone to weathering over time, they provide a more cost-effective option compared to solid wood doors, while still preserving an authentic look.
• Aluminum Garage Doors: These doors are a superior choice to steel as they are lightweight and more of an affordable option. Not only are they highly resistant to corrosion, but they also offer the added benefit of glass panel options, enabling the entrance of natural light into your garage. While they may be prone to dents, their numerous advantages make them an excellent investment.
• Fibreglass Garage Doors: Fibreglass doors are incredibly versatile, allowing for easy moulding into various shapes and styles. They boast impressive resistance to dents, rust, and insect damage. Moreover, these doors are widely acknowledged for their minimal maintenance needs, making them an excellent choice for coastal areas that are prone to salt corrosion.
• Vinyl Garage Doors: These items are highly durable, boast excellent energy efficiency, and necessitate very little maintenance. Their resistance to dents, cracks, and fading makes them ideal for challenging weather conditions.

By getting a deep understanding of the unique properties of each material, you can choose a new garage door that not only suits your budget but also enhances your home’s style and withstands varying climate conditions. While these general characteristics apply to different types of garage doors, specific models can vary significantly. For example, while certain wooden garage doors may lack insulation, others feature a sophisticated insulation core similar to that of a steel garage door.

Which Size and Type Suits Your Home Best?

There is a wide range of styles out there for your new garage. Selecting the ideal garage door for your home requires a thorough understanding of the available sizes and types. To ensure a perfect fit, accurately measuring your garage opening is crucial. Typically, standard single-car doors range from 8 to 10 feet wide and 7 to 8 feet high, while double-car doors are usually 16 feet wide. However, customized sizes for a new garage can be accommodated to meet your specific needs. Homeowners have a variety of garage door styles to enhance the curb appeal of their garage door. They can choose from a wide range of panel designs, colour options, clean lines, window designs and placements, as well as decorative hardware.

Let’s explore the various types of garage doors that are readily available in the market:

• Single Layer Doors: These options are both lightweight and cost-effective, composed of a single layer of steel or aluminum. Although they offer basic security, their insulation is limited, and they may not withstand severe weather conditions as effectively as other types.
• Double Layer Doors: Consider opting for double-layer doors for your new garage if you seek enhanced insulation and durability. These doors are comprised of a robust steel exterior and a layer of efficient polystyrene or polyurethane insulation, providing superior temperature control, reduced noise transmission, and enhanced stability.
• Premium Doors: If you’re looking for top-notch garage doors that offer superior insulation, premium doors are the perfect choice. Typically constructed with insulated steel and enhanced with features such as thicker insulation and weather stripping, they ensure outstanding energy efficiency and noise reduction.

Imagine living in an area with extreme weather conditions, experiencing scorching summers and freezing winters. In such a situation, investing in a top-tier garage door with exceptional insulation becomes crucial to maintaining a consistent temperature inside the garage. By doing so, you’ll safeguard your valuable possessions, such as vehicles and workshop equipment, from the harmful effects of extreme heat or cold. It’s essential to carefully consider the unique advantages and factors of each type of garage door before making a decision. Your selection should perfectly align with your specific needs, financial plan, and the architectural design of your home. After exploring the various new garage door options, it’s time to delve into other vital aspects to consider before making a purchase.

Do You Want Windows On Your New Garage Door?

You’ll be amazed at the incredible transformation your garage door can undergo with the addition of carefully chosen windows. Ponder whether windows would be a splendid choice for your new garage door. Not only will they effortlessly illuminate the interior of your garage, but they will also add an exquisite touch of style. However, it’s important to consider that having windows does require a bit of additional maintenance. Moreover, depending on their size and placement, windows may present a slight security risk or have an impact on the internal temperature of your garage.

Here are a few tips when choosing glass for your new garage door:

• Upgrade to insulated glass if your garage is heated.
• To enhance both privacy and security, it is recommended to have the top panel fitted with glass.
• If possible, try to match the style of the glass to your house windows.
• Avoid installing glass that extends behind angled, rather than square, corners in your garage door opening, as it may create an awkward appearance.

Do You Need An Insulated Garage Door?

If your garage is connected to your house, and you have a room above it, or if you need a climate-controlled environment, it is essential to invest in a properly insulated garage door. The level of insulation is determined by the R-value, where a higher R-value indicates superior insulation. For areas with frigid winters, the ideal R-value would be between 14 and 16. However, in more temperate climates, a lower R-value of 3 may be sufficient. Insulated garage doors can help regulate the temperature and reduce energy costs, making them a worthwhile investment for many homeowners. Additionally, they can also help minimize noise from outside, creating a quieter indoor environment.

Consider Purchasing A New Garage Door Opener At The Same Time

The professional garage door installer responsible for your new door is also capable of installing a new garage door opener. It is inevitable that your opener will eventually malfunction, so if it is starting to show signs of age or if you desire a quieter or more feature-rich opener, now is the perfect opportunity to have it replaced. Opting to replace it along with the door will likely result in cost savings on labour. This will not only save you time and effort but also ensure that both the door and opener are installed properly and work well together. Plus, having a new opener will enhance the overall functionality and convenience of your garage.

It’s Worth It To Pay A Bit More For Durable Garage Door Springs

Torsion springs are essential for effortlessly lifting your garage door and ensuring a controlled descent. They are commonly found coiled above the door, providing reliable performance. Despite being rated for approximately 10,000 cycles, with an average of six door operations per day, this limit can be reached in under five years. Maintaining a properly functioning garage door is crucial for the safety and security of your home. Regular inspection and maintenance of your garage door springs can help extend their lifespan and prevent unexpected failures.

Looking For A Quiet New Garage Door? Look For These Features For Noise Reduction

To minimize noise caused by your garage door, consider selecting a door with polyurethane insulation and nylon rollers if you have an attached garage. The insulation not only diminishes vibrations that would otherwise be magnified by an uninsulated steel door, but the nylon rollers are also exceptionally quiet compared to their metal counterparts. If you’re planning to replace the garage door opener as well, opt for one with a belt drive mechanism, as they tend to be quieter than other options available.

Have A Local Garage Door Professional Install It

Installing the door yourself might seem like a way to save money, but in reality, this DIY project comes with numerous challenges and potential dangers. The sheer number of parts and time required make it an arduous task, not to mention the specialized tools and physical strength needed to wind the spring, which can be quite hazardous. On the other hand, hiring professional installers not only ensures the job is done in a fraction of the time, but also includes door delivery, removal of the old door, successful installation, and the peace of mind of having someone to call if any issues arise.

For Expert Garage Door Installations, You Need Dodds Garage Doors

After this comprehensive guide to purchasing a new garage door, we’ve hopefully equipped you with enough to guide you through purchasing. With over 65 years of experience, Dodds Garage Doors is the leading and most highly acclaimed garage door company in the GTA. We take pride in offering top-tier garage doors and hardware to meet the needs of both residential and commercial clients. When it comes to superior quality and modern garage doors, Dodds is the brand you can rely on with confidence. Our services include preventative maintenance and 24/7 repairs to guarantee that your garage door consistently operates at its best. If you’ve been wondering who the leading garage door installation and repair company in Ontario is, look no further – it’s us! When you’re ready for a new garage door, contact us today at 1-877-503-6337 to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.