Garage Door Buying Guide

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Garage Doors: Choices, Choices

Your garage door is not just a functional element of your home; it’s also a significant contributor to its curb appeal and security. With a wide array of styles, materials, and features available, choosing the right garage door for your home can be overwhelming.

This comprehensive garage door buying guide aims to provide you with a detailed overview of the various options available, helping you make an informed decision that meets your needs and preferences.

Section 1: Understanding Garage Door Styles

When selecting a residential garage door, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is choosing the style that best complements your home’s architecture and your personal taste. Here are some of the most popular garage door styles:

Traditional Raised-Panel Garage Doors:

Features: Classic and timeless design with raised panels that add depth and texture.
Material Options: Available in steel, wood, and fiberglass.
Ideal For: Homes with traditional or colonial architecture.

Carriage House Garage Doors

Features: Mimics the look of historic carriage house doors with decorative hardware and window inserts.
Material Options: Steel, wood, and composite materials.
Ideal For: Craftsman-style homes and those seeking a rustic or vintage aesthetic.

Contemporary Garage Doors

Features: Clean lines, minimalist design, and sleek finishes for a modern look.
Material Options: Aluminum, glass, and steel with brushed or matte finishes.
Ideal For: Contemporary and modern-style homes, as well as urban or industrial settings.

Custom Garage Doors

Features: Fully customizable designs, including custom materials, finishes, and window configurations.
Material Options: Virtually limitless, including wood, glass, steel, and composite materials.
Ideal For: Homeowners seeking a unique and personalized garage door that reflects their individual style.

Section 2: Exploring Garage Door Materials

The material of your garage door not only affects its appearance but also its durability, maintenance requirements, and cost. Here are the most common materials used for residential garage doors:

Steel Garage Doors

Features: Durable, low-maintenance, and available in a variety of colors and finishes.
Pros: Resistant to dents, rust, and warping. Suitable for all climates.
Cons: Prone to scratches and may dent if impacted with sufficient force.

Wood Garage Doors

Features: Natural beauty, warmth, and character with a wide range of design options.
Pros: Offers unparalleled aesthetic appeal and can be stained or painted to match your home’s exterior.
Cons: Requires regular maintenance, including staining or painting to protect against weathering and moisture.

Aluminum Garage Doors

Features: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and available in modern finishes.
Pros: Ideal for contemporary designs, with options for full-view glass panels.
Cons: Prone to dents and scratches, especially in high-traffic areas.

Fiberglass Garage Doors

Features: Resistant to moisture, insects, and warping, with the appearance of wood without the maintenance.
Pros: Low-maintenance, energy-efficient, and durable.
Cons: Limited design options and may yellow or fade over time with exposure to sunlight.

Section 3: Choosing Garage Door Features and Accessories

In addition to style and material, there are several features and accessories to consider when selecting a residential garage door:

Insulation

Features: Improves energy efficiency, temperature regulation, and noise reduction.
Options: Single-layer, double-layer, or triple-layer insulation with varying R-values.

Windows

Features: Enhances natural light and visual appeal, available in various shapes, sizes, and designs.
Options: Clear, frosted, or tinted glass with decorative inserts or grids.

Hardware

Features: Decorative handles, hinges, and accents add character and charm to your garage door.
Options: Traditional, rustic, or contemporary styles in a variety of finishes, including black, bronze, and stainless steel.

Smart Technology

Features: Allows remote operation, monitoring, and control of your garage door via smartphone or smart home automation system.
Options: Wi-Fi-enabled garage door openers with built-in security features, smartphone apps, and voice control compatibility.

Section 4: Garage Door Installation and Maintenance Tips

Once you’ve selected the perfect garage door for your home, proper installation and maintenance are essential to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Here are some tips to consider:

Professional Installation

Hire a reputable garage door installation company with experience, expertise, and proper licensing and insurance.

Regular Maintenance

Schedule annual inspections and maintenance checks to identify and address any issues before they escalate.
Lubricate moving parts, tighten hardware, and check springs, cables, and tracks for wear and tear.

Seasonal Care

Prepare your garage door for seasonal changes, such as lubricating springs and hinges in cold weather and cleaning and inspecting seals in hot weather.

Summary

Investing in a new garage door is a significant decision that can enhance the appearance, functionality, and value of your home.

By understanding the various styles, materials, features, and maintenance requirements, you can confidently select the perfect garage door that meets your needs and complements your home’s architecture.

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Mike Callis

2024-03-27

I couldn't get my garage door to open this morning. So after reading their reviews I decided to give them a call. They were great. Excellent customer service. They clearly explained the problem.They fixed the problem in a timely manner. The fee was reasonable. What more can you ask for?

Geoff Dalessio

2024-03-21

Don't go anywhere else. We needed a spring replaced. I got three quotes and COULD NOT BELIEVE how much people are getting charged/quoted. Sawtooth was - by far - the most upfront, honest, and most realistic. Same day service, GREAT work and awesome people to work with. Thanks Travis and Ryan!

Samantha Doty

2024-03-20

Excellent service! Was very helpful on the phone trying to help me troubleshoot before they even came out. When I couldn’t figure out how to fix it myself I called back and they came and fixed it the same day. Highly recommend!

Faith Barron (Faithful1)

2024-01-15

I highly recommend Sawtooth Garage Doors! I received 3 bids for a new garage door. I chose Sawtooth because Kenney was upfront on exactly how the job would be done and educated me on the standard garage doors I needed. My son had just installed an opener on the old garage door and didn’t have it working correctly. Kenney had his guys fix it when they installed the new door and also installed the combination pad at no extra charge. They hauled away the railings and the old opener. The customer service that Kenney and crew from Sawtooth Garages provides is outstanding!! If only you could train other companies to provide such great service!!!

Jacob Forsberg

2023-11-20

We recently had an accident and backed into the garage door. Kenny arranged for service with 24 hrs and we had the best experience. Our service tech, Ryan was not only competent, but unusually courteous, mindful of our preferences and did a great job. He completed the repair in a couple hours and the cost was very reasonable considering what it could have been with a less honest company. Sawtooth Garage is a company I will use for a lifetime. They earn their business the old fashioned way, by delivering great service, in an honest and considerate manner. Great job Kenny on hiring and training and on how you run your business. And thank you Ryan!

Lance Thompson

2023-10-31

Sawtooth replaced our garage door opener. Kenny explained the options on the phone. Zach was the tech who did the installation--arrived precisely on time, finished the job within an hour, explained everything fully. Great service, price and result. Recommend this team highly.

sarah Dewey

2023-09-28

We received three quotes and Sawtooth was the best. Not just on pricing but customer service and knowledge too. Kenny was upfront about how the mechanics work, lifecycle of doors and springs, and he didn’t try to up-sell us to something we didn’t need! A straight shooter and great business ethics. Thank you!

brian menezes

2023-09-11

Kenny (the owner) is great. Very helpful and informative. No B.S. which is greatly appreciated. I am very glad that I called him because he was able to give me a great quote and a ton of information to think about when calling around for other quotes. I highly recommend Kenny and Sawtooth.

Jessica Downs

2023-08-22

We had an excellent experience with Sawtooth. They replaced 2 garage doors for us. Communication was great and installers were knowledgeable, kind and professional. The job was done very well and everything was cleaned up perfectly when they left.

Kelly Woodall

2023-07-12

Sawtooth Garage Doors had a lower quote for a better quality door than a competitor gave me. From quote to install was quick and professional. I highly recommend Sawtooth Garage Doors!