Your garage door does much more than protect your vehicles and other contents of your garage. It also plays a prominent role in your home’s visual presentation. A deteriorating or poorly maintained door can decrease your home’s resale value and make it less attractive to prospective buyers. If the time has come for a garage door replacement, consideration of the following factors can help you make an intelligent buying decision.
Material Selection
If it’s been a few years since you’ve purchased or replaced a garage door, you might be surprised at the wide variety of materials available these days. Advancements in technology have made it possible to construct high-quality, attractive doors made from:
- Steel – As one might expect, steel doors offer exceptional strength and durability — steel won’t crack or warp, and it will hold up well against the sometimes severe Southeast Florida climate. You can also choose steel doors with embossed wood grain patterns, faux finishes and other enhancements to maximize their aesthetic appeal. Options include garaged doors made from 24-gauge and thinner 28-gauge single-layer steel, as well as double-layer and triple-layer versions insulated with polystyrene or polyurethane foam.
- Wood – Wood garage doors offer a warm, natural look and feel that many homeowners prefer. However, wood can rot or warp over time and require more frequent maintenance. Cladwood composites are a faux-wood option that offers the appearance of natural wood, but will last longer.
- Aluminum and fiberglass – You can also retrofit a garage door with materials such as aluminum and fiberglass that offer a lightweight alternative to steel or wood. These products can serve homeowners well in certain circumstances. For example, fiberglass doors can provide excellent resistance corrosion caused by the salt-air climate in the coastal regions of Southeast Florida. On the downside, these doors are not wind rated for Florida’s Hurricane Zone impact requirements of the building code but there are manufacturers that are currently developing these for Hurricane prone areas.
Style
There are multiple styles to choose from when you’re ready to replace your garage door as well — you can find everything from carriage house and contemporary to raised-panel and traditional.
If you opt for impact windows in your new garage door, you can select from various shapes and sizes as well as frosted, smoked or clear glass. With some assistance from a professional garage door sales company, you should have no problem finding the garage door style that best complements your home’s exterior decor.
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Cost
The cost of a garage door replacement can vary widely. Here is a general idea of the price range for a 16-foot by 7-foot double door based on the type of material:
- Steel – $1199-$3,000
- Wood – $1,200-$4,000
- Wood composite – $1,200-$2,200
- Aluminum – $1,500-$2,000
One important note: While a garage door replacement does create an additional expense for a homeowner, it is regarded as one of the best home improvement projects regarding return on investment. You can expect to recoup approximately 85 percent of the cost when you sell your home.
Contact The Doorman If You’re Looking to Retrofit a Garage Door in Southeast Florida
As a Clopay® Authorized Dealer, The Doorman is your source for the best garage doors in Palm Beach County and surrounding areas including Parkland, Coral Springs, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Contact us to learn more about your garage door replacement options, and don’t forget to ask about our $39.95 garage door tune-up special.
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