When it comes to both aesthetics and appraised property value, garage doors can have a huge impact on the home. So choose carefully when it’s time to get a new one. Think of your new door as an opportunity to both express yourself and improve the style, function, and quality of your home. After all, your home is an investment. The right garage door is one that makes you happy while improving the value of that investment at the same time. Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck for garage door installation.
Garage Door Materials
Once you’ve set your budget for a garage door, the next consideration you’ll need to make is what type of material you’d like to use for a door. Wood and wood composite doors have a beautiful natural appeal but tend to require more maintenance. You’ll need to sand and paint a wooden door every few years. Steel doors are much more economical, but can be prone to rust and dents. Aluminum doors are more lightweight, so they are ideal for large doors. There are a number of modern aluminum options that aren’t so prone to denting.
Fiberglass doors are light. They can be used to mimic pretty much any of the above materials. They can be expensive, but don’t require a lot of maintenance. Fiberglass can be efficient in cold weather, but that doesn’t tend to be a problem in El Dorado Hills, California.
Panel Patterns
There are a number of pattern options for the panels of your garage door. Much of this just comes down to style and taste.
The beauty of flush patterns is their simplicity. There’s little texturing to this modern design. It’s a clean approach that can complement a variety of home styles.
Carriage house panels are best for wooden garage doors. They have a classic antique barn appearance, with a very rugged cut that looks great for traditional homes.
Short raised panels are very versatile and have a classic design. Longer raise panels can fit a wide range of design options.
Insulation
Even if you live in El Dorado Hills, you might consider an insulated garage door. If you have a garage that attaches to the house, an insulated door can make it much easier and affordable to heat. You can measure the insulation according to the R-value, the standard for measuring the thermal resistance of various construction materials.
You should probably go with a door that has an R-value of at least 12. You might even consider one as high as 16. This can really cut down your cooling bill in the hot Californian summers.
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