A new garage door is likely to cost you upwards of £1000, and will have a huge impact on the look of your home, so it’s important to consider your choice carefully. Below, you’ll find advice on selecting the right opening mechanism, material and style for you.
1. Set your budget
First things first: decide how much you’re willing and able to spend. The price of garage doors varies hugely depending on the specifications you choose, so it can be easy to go over budget.
2. Check for any neighbourhood restrictions
In some neighbourhoods, particularly new developments, there may be restrictions on the colour and finish of your garage door. This is to ensure that it complements those in the surrounding area.
You may need to get in touch with your housebuilder or local council for more information.
If you’re building a new garage, you’ll also need to check the government’s Planning Portal for planning permission advice.
3. Choose your opening mechanism
The four main mechanisms used for garage doors are up and over, side hinged, sectional, and roller. The first thing you need to consider is how much space they take up inside and outside your garage while in use. For example, the fact that up and over doors swing outwards makes them inappropriate for short driveways.
4. Compare different materials
There are three main materials used for garage doors: steel, aluminium and wood. Although aesthetics will be a factor in your choice, you need to think about practical features too. And remember that your opening mechanism may limit the materials available.
Steel
Steel is the most commonly used material for garage doors, largely because it offers great value for money. Because it is so versatile, you can choose from a large range of different colours and designs — you can even get wood-effect finishes.
Durability depends on the gauge of steel you choose. Thinner, high-gauge doors are more easily dented, but come cheaper. Thick, low-gauge doors are more robust, but more expensive.
As steel is a poor insulator, your garage is prone to becoming extremely hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. However, you can buy insulated models — perfect if you spend a lot of time in your garage. If your garage is attached to your home, this could also help keep your heating bills down.
Aluminium
Aluminium garage doors offer similar benefits to steel, but they tend to be much lighter and thinner — this makes them more prone to denting. However, they are more rust-resistant than steel, which makes them a better choice in coastal areas.
Wood
Wood doors are the more traditional choice, and can give your home a more sophisticated look. However, they tend to be more expensive, and will require upkeep in the form of regular varnishing or staining.
5. Select your style
The design of your garage door can help give your home a traditional or contemporary look. Should you go for a panelled or ribbed design? Do you want windows? Look around at your neighbours’ garages to get an idea of what will complement your house.
6. Consider optional extras
Accessories and finishing touches are the final step in choosing the perfect garage door. Here are some things to consider:
• Style of handles
• Automatic opening mechanisms
• Extra security: locks, alarms etc
7. Hire a reputable installer
The final step in getting the perfect garage door is hiring the right person or company to install it for you. They should help ensure you get the right size, and minimise the potential for issues down the line. They should also be available to help with any questions you have.
If you’re confident in your DIY skills, you might want to check out this HomeTips guide to installing a garage door yourself.
Still can’t find the perfect garage door?
There is a surprisingly large range of options when choosing a garage door. If you’re struggling to find one that ticks all the boxes, a design-your-own tool like Evander’s can make it easier to get all the specifications you’re looking for.
If the combination of mechanism, materials, size, style and extras you want simply isn’t available, prioritise and buy accordingly. And make sure to stick to your budget!
