3 Things to Consider When Choosing New Garage Doors

When it comes to deciding what kind of new doors you want to replace your old ones, a little research will go a long way. There are several different factors to consider, but figuring out all the details will help ensure you get the best possible doors for your home.

1. What They're Made Of

Garage doors can be made of many different materials, each with their own pros and cons. Beyond just looks, the material is important when it comes to things like the weather in your area and the type of durability you're after. For example, steel doors are very hard to break but can dent easily, while fiberglass doors aren't quite as solid but are much harder to dent. This can be important if you have kids who play with toys around your garage or if you get hail or high winds in your area.

This can be especially important when it comes to the climate in your area, not just weather conditions. For example, steel doors have a problem with corrosion and rust in coastal areas. Many doors are treated to prevent this, but this means that the resistance to corrosion only lasts as long as the protective seal does. Wooden doors, while also sealed, may be more difficult in highly humid areas because they are susceptible to bowing and warping. Because of this, several factors should go into what material you choose for your doors.

If aesthetics are a big selling point, keep in mind that many materials have plenty of customization options, so the material alone doesn't necessarily have to be the deciding factor. 

2. How Much They Weigh

Your garage door could weigh up to several hundred pounds depending on what your garage door is made of, whether it's insulated or not, and whether or not it has a window. Weight is important for a few reasons; you'll need to consider the maintenance and strength requirements of your tracks, springs, and other components, but it's also important when considering your current garage door opener. Not all garage door openers are alike, so if you're going from a door that's very light to a much heavier one, your current opener may not be adequate.

Because most of the weight of a door is leveraged by the springs and not the garage door opener itself, this means that you probably won't encounter a situation where your opener is incapable of moving your new door. However, the added strain will mean that your opener will suffer wear and tear damage more quickly. If you've already decided which doors you like, talk to a contractor to see what components are safe to keep and what may need to be changed.

3. Maintenance Requirements

Once you get past materials, insulation, weight, and other factors, you get to select what type of door you're after. There are several different types of doors to choose from, such as sectional doors, canopy doors, and roll-up doors, to name a few. Differences in type usually mean differences in functionality, which is especially important if you're looking at a different kind of door then you have currently.

One example is the type of mechanism your garage door will use to open and close. The most common types of springs you'll encounter will be extension and torsion springs, but which you'll use depends on the type of door you're after. If you're getting a new type of door, this could mean using an entirely new mechanism, which in turn comes with different maintenance needs.

If you end up using a sectional door when you used to use a canopy door, you'll probably have tracks that guide the door that will need to be maintained. This will affect how you maintain the door itself as well. Sectional doors have hinges and move in an entirely different way than a solid wood door, and will need different treatment. No garage doors are noticeably more difficult to care for than others, but if you're looking at something different, it's helpful to brush up on what your new doors will need before you finalize your order and set your installation date.

If you're ready to select a garage door, contact services like Above All Overhead Door.

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