When was the last time you looked at your garage door? We don’t mean a glance on your way out in the morning, we’re talking about really looking. Is the door dented and uneven? Does it squeak and shake when it opens and closes?
If you didn’t answer “no” immediately, it’s time for a new garage door.
Now, a garage door isn’t an every day purchase, which means there are factors you may not think of to consider during the buying process. Thankfully, we have over 70 years of experience in the building materials industry and are here to set you on the right path.
Here are a few factors to consider when looking for a new garage door:
Budget
There is an enormous number of options available on the market, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Before you truly begin your search, set yourself a budget and only look at the options that fit that criteria. This way, you can focus on a smaller selection of options and make good financial decisions.
A new garage door can cost anywhere between R3,500 and R17,500, depending on the manufacturer and materials. Typically, the more affordable doors are made of wood, steel, and aluminium, while fibreglass, vinyl, and wood composite are more costly.
Style
The garage door is a key contributor to your home’s overall curb appeal, so get one that looks good! A great place to start is by examining the architecture of your home – especially the exterior.
If you live in a modern building with clean lines and expansive glass, consider a minimalistic door with little to no detailing in white, black or grey. Alternatively, if your home is in the Cape Dutch style you’ll want an ornate door that matches the signature rounded gables, shuttered windows, and terracotta tiles.
Match your garage door to your home’s exterior
Type
Along with style, you need to consider the type of garage door you want. This isn’t just about aesthetics, though – it needs to be functional and serve your needs. The most common types of garage doors in South Africa are sectional, roll-up, and tilt-up doors.
Sectional and roll-up doors are more popular as they provide more space and are more strong, secure, and durable. You’ll find tilt-up doors in much older homes these days, and if your garage door is a tilt-up, we strongly recommend that you upgrade!
Insulation
Next, you’ll want to consider whether or not you want your garage door insulated. If the only time you spend in your garage is to drive in and out, then insulation isn’t a top priority. However, if you’ve converted your garage into a workshop, office, or games room and are going to spend a lot of time using it, then you should seriously consider insulation.
We think foam-filled doors are the best for this task, as they provide thermal efficiency (cool in summer, warm in winter) as well as stronger, quiter, and low maintenance doors.
Still stuck on which garage door is best for you? Make it an easy decision with Hydro, the automatic choice for garage doors, hardware, and automation. Engineered to be strong, secure, and durable, their quality doors come in a range of designs and materials to suit any property. Learn more and see the full range here.