Garage door basics

Your garage door may have a huge impact on the energy efficiency of your garage or even in your home - if it is attached to the garage.

Choosing a garage door

If your garage is a mere car parking and item storing place, detached from your home, where you do not pass much time, then a simple and cheap door, based on a single sheet of galvanized steel can be a good option.

But if your garage door is contiguous to your home’s living space and you use it as a workshop or for family or social uses, then you need a much better door, eventually an high energy-efficient one.

Garage doors prices & quality

Simpler steel, aluminum or wood garage doors can cost you something around $750 to $1500. But prices may vary a lot, mainly for wood doors...

See: Garage door prices and Custom and Standard Garage Doors

Garage Door Types and Materials

Garage doors can be made from very different materials: wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl... These materials determine much of the insulation performance of the door.

See, for more information:

Steel garage doors
Wood garage doors
Aluminum garage doors
Fiberglass and vinyl garage doors

Insulation kits for garage doors

Insulation provides thermal comfort and soundproofing capabilities to a garage door. If you intend to buy a good new garage door, an insulated one may represent high energy savings. If you want to add insulation to your existing garage door, there are several standard insulation kits to respond to your needs.

See, on these issues: Garage Doors Insulation and Kits

Hardware

In case of sectional roll-up doors, be aware with the hardware. There are spring systems of poor quality (demand a torsion spring system) and cheap bad-quality cable (prefer 1/8 inch cable); be also aware of bad plastic rollers and bad hinges.

Garage doors & maintenance

Maintenance performed on an annual basis is common. Take into account the manufacturer’s instructions.

As a rule, steel doors can be painted with quality exterior paint. Wood doors – often available primed - should be painted or stained prior to installation. They also should be re-painted every 1 to 2 years.

Garage Door Repairs & Installation.

Unless you have the tools and the skills, replacing springs, door sections, operators or tracks should be done by professionals.

And the same is true for garage doors installation, which demands specific tools (just “C” clamps, hammer, screwdrivers, tape measure, level..) and some experience and know-how.