A Homeowner’s Guide to Types of Garage Doors

Are you in the market for a new garage door? Or unsure of what would look best? Do you wonder what types of garage doors would best fit the style of your home? If so, then read on as we discuss the types of garage doors available in the marketplace.

Learning about different residential garage doors can help you find the perfect fit for your needs. It’s all about finding a combination of type, price, and installation to purchase the correct door.

Here’s a guide on different garage doors and everything you need to know as you shop for one.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a New Garage Door?

Garage doors may very well be the most overlooked aspect of a residential home. It is tasked with protecting the home from theft, severe weather, and so forth, but never given much thought outside of that.

If you’re in the market for a new garage door for your home, then you’re most likely wondering how much it costs to install a new one. What should you expect in terms of price?

The answer depends on many factors, including the size, how many doors, the material, and even the options you need. While the national average price of a garage door is reported to be $1,116, the truth the average range is anywhere between $700 to $2,000.

If you know that you’ll be purchasing a door for a double-car garage, then you should expect to be on the higher end of that spectrum. Be sure to reach out to a reputable garage door company to get an estimate on the garage door you’re interested in.

What Are the Different Types of Garage Doors?

You may have seen many different garage door styles in your time.  And if so, it should come as no surprise that there are many types that you can choose from.

The type you should choose depends on your home’s size, it’s aesthetic, what you use the garage for, your budget, and so forth. Below we list the most popular types of garage doors.

Tilt-Up Garage Doors

As the name would imply, tilt-up garage doors are doors that open by raising the entire door up and out. It has hinges at the top and provides a covering (of sorts) whenever you open it to back your car out or park it inside.

To hold the door up, the door is made of lighter material to keep it parallel with the floor for an extended period of time.

Ideally, you don’t keep these doors open for long. All it takes is a higher wind to complicate the garage door system or the hinges, leading to a costly garage door repair.

For those of you looking to use your garage as a makeshift hang-out area, you might want to invest in a sectional or roll-up (see below).

Roll-Up Garage Door

Again, as the name would imply, whenever you want to open the garage door, it will simply roll up at the top of the garage door frame.

Think of the type of garage that you’d see on a warehouse or the side of a downtown apartment parking lot. They’re perfect for those of you who have minimal space.

These garage doors are as heavy-duty as they come. They’re traditionally made of steel and can prevent the garage system from freezing, rusting, or wearing down too quickly.

Sectional Garage Door

The most popular type of residential garage door is a sectional.  It involves several panels that each connect with separate hinges. The garage door itself retracts upwards and hangs on the inside of the garage near the ceiling.

They are efficient, easy to maintain and fit into a garage with limited space.

Sectional garage doors come in single and double. A professional garage door installation company will properly measure your garage to get exact dimensions.

Also, ask about insulation options to keep your garage or cooler throughout the 4 seasons the midwest offers.

Garage Door Materials

Besides the different types of garage doors, choosing the material is essential, whether steel, wood, wood composite, aluminum frame, fiberglass, and even vinyl garage doors.

Steel Garage Doors.  Some of the best steel garage doors are made of two layers of galvanized steel.  The surface of these steel garage doors is either primed or painted with a strong topcoat finish.  The downside to steel is that it can be dented.  Steel doors are also subject to corrosion, particularly in coastal areas.

Aluminum Frame Garage Doors.   While aluminum garage doors eliminate the problem of rust, they are easier to dent.  These doors come in various finishes, including brushed and many colors.

Wood Garage Doors.  Wood garage doors are built in layers or plies which prevent warping.  Garage doors made of wood come in cedar, redwood, and even fir and come factory-stained or painted.

Composite Wood Garage Doors.  These doors typically have a wood frame covered by sheets of fiberboard.  The higher-end models even include realistic details to simulate real wood.

Fiberglass Garage Doors.  Fiberglass doors are less likely to dent or even crack.  Do they do not rust, but some have reported that they can break upon serious impact.  They are made from multiple layers of fiberglass bonded to a steel frame and then filled with polyurethane installation.  If you are interested in this type, ask about steel end caps to help improve rigidity.

Vinyl Garage Doors.  If you’re looking for that “kid-proof” garage door, consider a vinyl door. Vinyl garage doors are difficult to dent or break because they are built upon steel frames and filled with polyethylene insulation.  These doors look much like the fiberglass garage doors and have a variety of colors to choose from.  Vinyl garage doors require very little maintenance.

Garage Door Brands

Choosing the right garage door brand mainly boils down to the overall look and budget. While there are dozens of popular garage door brands, we believe these are the best garage door brands to consider when investing in a garage door installation project.

doorLink offers a variety of American-made residential garage doors using top-quality materials and construction.

Clopay offers beautiful and reliable durable garage doors known for delivering unrelentless performance.

Wayne Dalton garage doors offer a large selection of residential garage door designs in many colors and options.

C.H.I. garage doors offer a unique combination of style and color, from clean and modern to classic and timeless.

So Which Garage Door Type Is Right for You?

Only you can answer that question for certain. However, factors such as spacing, climate, material, and your home’s exterior all playing into your decision. None as important as your personal preference.

Make sure to schedule a time for a garage door installation company to come to take a look at your property.

If you’re looking to install a different garage type, they can take measurements and make recommendations based on what they find. They can also give you tips on how to maintain your new garage after it’s installed.  And be sure to ask about their garage door maintenance plan to keep your garage door operating smoothly 24×365.

After the visit, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re looking for. You can lay all your options out there, factor in what the garage door company recommended. Then you can make an informed decision that you’ll be happy with.

Consider Gateway Door and Contracting Co To Help

Gateway Door and Contracting has installed garage doors for both home and business owners for over 20 years.  For more inquiries, please begin by reaching out for an estimate on your service, and we will be happy to assist you further. Our pledge:

If you allow us the privilege of serving you, we’ll treat you and your home with respect, answer all your questions with clarity, provide the best in value service, and always serve you with excellence.

We’re not a franchise but rather a local garage door com. We’ll treat you right, provide the best in value pricing and offer you a wide variety of garage door types and more.  We carry all the top garage door brands and bring product brochures and examples to equip you to make the best decision.

Start by requesting a free in-home estimate today!