Are you buying a garage door for your home? Replacing old doors can feel overwhelming, but these five tips will help you make a good decision.
How old is your garage door? Did you know if it’s 10 years old it’s probably time to replace it?
There is a $4 billion dollar industry ready to help you in buying a garage door for your home. Where do you start though?
Buying the right door is more than picking one you like the look of. You need to make sure it is the right size for your home.
You need to consider upgrading certain features. You should also think about replacing your opener while you’re at it. Use our guide to help you get started in buying a garage door for your home.
1. Always Quote in Person
The only way to ensure you get an accurate quote is to have someone come out and quote your new door. Each garage opening is different, and an expert will know what measurements to take for a secure fit.
If the installation goes wrong, there is no doubt over who is to blame for the botched measurements. This will save you money and headaches in getting the problem fixed.
2. Really Think Before Choosing Wood
Wooden doors are beautiful, but they require a lot of work to stay that way. A natural finish will need recoating every couple of years.
If you miss the required maintenance, you’ll have to sand down the entire door and start the process from the beginning. If you have your heart set on wood, look for a faux wood.
3. Upgrade Your Insulation
If you are interested in saving on energy costs and keeping your garage warm you should invest in high-quality insulation. The upgraded insulation should only cost you another 15 to 20%.
If you upgrade from R-9 to R-18 the price increase is well worth the benefit. R-values are ratings given to insulation to express how well the material can resist the flow of heat.
4. Upgrade Your Springs
The springs are what make your door go up and down. These springs are called torsion springs and come in cycle ratings.
Most doors have springs that have a rating of 10,000 cycles. This means that if you open your door the average of 6 times per day, your springs will die within 5 years.
Upgrade your springs for a few dollars to 20,000 cycle springs. For a bit more investment you double the life of your springs.
5. Get the Door and the Opener
If you are already replacing your door, save on labor costs by having your opener replaced too. You can use this opportunity to upgrade to a newer unit.
You will need to replace your opener eventually. Replacing it now lets you pick one with more features or a quieter operation.
Buying a Garage
When it comes to buying a garage door you need to make sure that you buy the right sized one. The easiest way to make sure you buy the right door is to have someone come out and quote you a new door in person.
Consider upgrading the insulation and springs so that you have the best garage door for your needs. You also should consider how it looks so you have nice garage doors that fit the look of your home.
Let us help you get started with buying garage doors for your home today.
