Do you prefer sleek modern lines or the look and feel of old carriage house doors? The answer to that question will help you narrow down between garage doors that lean more modern, traditional or somewhere in between. Some doors have shutters for a coastal influence and others are sleek black panels that rival the sheen of a sports car. Regardless of what you prefer, a garage door is available with the style you’re wanting. Keep in mind your garage door should match the style of your home's front door and windows for a cohesive look.

The material chosen for a garage door affects not just its looks but the amount and type of upkeep that may be required. Real wood doors will require more upkeep than steel. A composite door can give you the look of wood without the upkeep. Typically, some combination of steel, aluminum, wood and composite are going to be the material options garage door manufacturers offer.

What wood stain would best match the rest of your home? Would brown or black aluminum or steel work better? Unless you’re buying for a newly constructed home, your home typically already has a color palette to work with. Look at the colors that already work with your home, and choose something complimentary. The colors don’t necessarily have to match, but you want your garage door to fit the feel of your home’s exterior.

The R-Value of the insulation of your garage door is going to determine how well it reduces the effects of outside temperature in your garage. The higher the R-value the more cost and the better insulated your garage will be. In the San Francisco Bay Area’s mild climates, the choice of R-Value is normally determined by the use and location of your garage. If it’s attached to your house, better insulation might reduce cooling costs. If you work often in your garage, it might benefit you to reduce temperature fluctuations.

To add windows or not add windows? That is the question. For most, the answer is yes, but again, the use of your garage as well as location will play a factor. Garage door windows come in a variety of shapes and patterns. Windows will generally run along the top or side of the garage door depending on the style. The design for the window can also vary. Many modern style garage doors offer glass options as well as acrylic.

The garage door window material can be frosted, tinted, obscure, black, white, etc. Windows are an area where you can often personalize a more generic garage door, but once again, be sure the windows match the look of the ones on your home.

Ready to accessorize your new garage door? Then it’s time for the hardware. The garage door manufacturer will likely offer several different types of handles, plates or even door knockers that correspond with the garage door. They’ll have different finishes – some may be black powder coated and others aluminum. Some will have decorative detailing and others leaning more modern won't have any hardware. What option you choose to accent your new garage door should be based on style of your home.

But not all the hardware is decorative. The type of rollers that come with your garage door may be plastic, which typically don’t roll smoothly. We’ll ensure you’re upgraded to metal or vinyl rollers with ball bearings that last longer and give your garage door a much smoother, quieter roll with less strain on your garage door motor.