They say a man’s home is his castle, but his garage is his sanctuary. Often the door that shields that sanctuary looks mediocre at best. I don’t know about you, but sometimes when driving through a neighborhood, I look at the sides of the houses and wonder “what kind of chaos is hiding behind that garage door?” Most homes have at least one garage door. Most garage doors match the rest of the house. But did you know that there are many kinds of doors? You have options you may not even be aware of.
You may be wondering why this particular topic matters. According to research conducted by Remodeling.net – the average garage door remodel costs about $3,470, with a resale value of $3,411. That means for remodeling your garage door you can expect to recoup 98.3% of the cost. This simple update to the façade of your home provides a significant value both aesthetically and monetarily. This value-add for homes has continued to increase over the years[1]. In the real estate investment business, as well has the personal home remodeling industry, you can’t go wrong on spending money to upgrade your garage door. Here are a few tips to get the most value for your money.
Harmonious Design
First, you need to consider the style of our house’s exterior. Is it Cape Cod, Modern, or decidedly Southwest? These details should guide you in the style of garage door you look for. No matter what direction you go, you will want the garage door to compliment the rest of the house. Installing a garage door – though “cool” looking – that isn’t keeping with the design style of the home will create more of an eye-sore than a compliment to the rest of the house.
The range of designs is staggering when it comes to garage doors, as are the varied materials with which you garage door can be made. The standard steel corrugated curtains of yesterday, are replaced by stunning carriage house garage doors with insulation, or recessed panel steel shaker style doors. Ultra-modern glass and aluminum garage doors add drama to the front of mid-century modern homes. When your garage door can account for up to 30% of the home’s façade, making sure that its style is in harmony with the rest of the home is important.
Budget Conscious
Know your budget and stick to it! You don’t want to spend too much on a big door and miss out on getting Christmas gifts for your family members. A good quality garage door typically ranges anywhere between $600 to several thousand. Garage doors can be insulated or not, which can impact the budget. The cost of installation also needs to be part of the budget, whether you’re an investor or homeowner.
Additionally, consideration should be given to what kind of opener you would like to include with your garage door. Not to say that it is a requirement, especially if you are sticking to the budget basics. According to Homeadvisor.com, the average cost of getting a garage door opener installed is $200-$500. And homeowners now have the option of replacing their traditional remote garage door openers with Wi-Fi Connected smartphone apps. All these additions need to be included in the total budget consideration for a garage door instillation.
Small Changes Make Big Impact
If you are not in the market for a new garage door but are looking to improve the aesthetics of your current door, there are many options. These are cheaper D.I.Y. projects that can increase the curb appeal of your home. First is as simple as paint. You can paint the entire door a new color to blend into the rest of the house facade. On the other hand, you might consider a unique, unexpected color to make your home look more distinct and full of personality.
Adding accessories or appliques can completely change the aesthetics of a garage door – decals that givethe illusion of windows, handles that give the illusion of sliding doors, or house numbers strategically placed on the door. Another option to consider is staining the door to create a faux wood effect. The dark brown can add texture and a sense of earthiness to the exterior of the home. Is your house a little more traditional? Maybe investigate adding frames inside the rest of the garage door.
Design Style Options
There’s a whole world of different styles out there. Buying and installing an entirely new garage door is a more expensive process. The options go beyond just color and material. Some cleaner, more universally adored styles include Vintage California, Spanish, and Rustic Lakeside. These styles blend easily with the exterior of most homes. They add texture but don’t clash too much with the surrounding walls. Overall, they are the most versatile.
If the above styles don’t match your vision, you can look for less traditional styles such as Midcentury and Smooth and Sleek, both options are more high-end and incorporate windows in the doors. As with most home investment, customed design features are always an option – that includes garage doors. You will pay significantly more for a custom-built garage door, but the end product is sure to meet your specifications.
Just like any other part of the house, a simple door can add so much to the exterior. The garage-sized door of possibilities can be opened by those who are brave enough to simply push the button.
[1] https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/garage-door-replacement-upscale?y=2018
Written by Brianna Shoemaker
Header Photo by Binyamin Mellish from Pexels.