Modern garage doors come in an endless variety of styles, materials and prices. Features like the strength of the door, its durability, maintenance requirements and its insulation and air-tightness may be important.
You may not need an energy-efficient and expensive garage door.
If the garage isn't attached to your living area, and you don't need a comfortable garage, consider a simple steel door. Steel doors are very strong, durable and relatively inexpensive.
Be aware of the possible pitfalls: insulated garage doors may fall short of expectations; the door seals and a poor door installation can render insulated doors very ineffective.
See: Insulated Garage Doors and Energy Efficiency
Steel Garage Doors vs Other types of doorsLow-priced wood garage doors warp and break easily, while premium wood garage doors are expensive and high-maintenance.
Steel garage doors are a better overall choice (just choose an insulated one, if you also want some thermal comfort). Though you may also consider fiberglass, aluminum or vinyl garage doors, they haven’t any significant advantage over steel garage doors.
See:
Steel Garage Doors vs. Other types of doors
Wood vs. Fiberglass Garage Doors
What Door to Choose for an Attached-Garage?If you intend to use your garage for ends other than car parking and storage, consider a two- or three-layer steel garage door with a polyurethane core.
These doors offer strength, relatively low prices, durability, low-maintenance, multiple designs and colors - and also some degree of energy-performance.
Pay attention to the seals and the hardware of the door; it should meet the DASMA TDS-163 standards (USA, Canada) or the CE Mark (you can buy them in Europe but also in America).
Unfortunately, new garage doors aren't as efficient as advertised (their insulation value if far below the R-values claimed by door makers) and if they are leaky - as it is often the case - they will not provide a significant degree of comfort.
See:
Insulated Garage Doors
Garage Door Prices
Garage InsulationIf you only use your garage for storage and car parking, you may only need to insulate the wall(s) between the garage and your living space...
See: Attached and Underground Garage Insulation
“Wind-Load” and Safety Garage DoorsBuy a wind-reinforced garage door if you live in a hurricane-prone area. This type of doors look like common garage doors but are designed to withstand high-winds. In the USA and Canada prefer doors meeting ANSI/DASMA standards.
New garage doors have finger safety systems, electronic-eyes and anti-drop safety mechanisms, making them much safer.
Maintenance & Safety FeaturesNew steel garage doors (and fiberglass and other types of doors) are largely free-maintenance doors. They do not need to be refinished or repainted regularly like wood garage doors.
See: Garage Door Maintenance and Care Tips
Garage Door ManufacturersWhen selecting a garage door, the brand and the manufacturer matter – unless you just want a very basic and cheap garage door.
Strength, durability, maintenance, ease of use or energy efficiency are important, and top manufacturers are the best positioned to offer them…
See:
Top Garage Door Companies
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©2013 House-Energy, Help Homeowners reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Ed. Reisinh
