A Simple Garage Door Buying Guide

Most people don’t spend a significant amount of their lives thinking about which type of garage door would work best for their homes. A garage door usually lasts about 20 years, which means you won’t buy many in your lifetime. However, on those rare occasions when you do have to decide on a door, it’s a major purchase decision that you’ll want to have solid information about. 

We’ve put together this straightforward garage door buying guide so you can focus on what’s important in your life until the time comes to install a garage door. Learn everything you need to know about choosing a door that will last longer, improve your curb appeal, increase the resale value of your home, and be a convenient and stylish addition to your home!

Must-Have Garage Door Features 

What makes some garage doors better than others? It’s hard to say unless you’re a garage door installer with decades of experience installing garage doors. A few of the garage door essentials we always look for in a door are listed below to help you in your search for the perfect door. 

A Complementary Style to Your Home 

It’s not all about looks, but the style of your door is undeniably important. Your garage door can amount to about 30% of the curb appeal of your home, which is why choosing a stylish door is an important decision. 

However, finding a garage door isn’t just about finding a stylish one; it also needs to suit your home. There are two options when it comes to choosing a garage door style. First, you can choose a style that complements the existing exterior of your home. However, if you’re planning major renovations in the next year or two, you may want to kick off the process by choosing a door that will complement the updated style you envision for your home. 

There are plenty of different styles to choose from, including contemporary doors that give your home a modern finish, all the way to carriage-style garage doors that give you a timeless and highly stylized look. 

The Garage Door’s Material 

One of the questions we’re asked most often is which material works best for garage doors. At C&W Canada Garage Doors, we typically recommend steel garage doors over wood garage doors. Not only are steel doors more durable, they’re also typically more energy-efficient thanks to better insulating properties, and more affordable. They come with a great range of styles, and in many cases, you can get the look of wood with the functionality of steel, which means it’s a win-win!

Energy Efficiency

In Alberta, an energy-efficient garage door is an absolute must. Keeping out hot summer air and cold winter air helps keep your garage more comfortable. If your garage is heated or cooled, it can also help you cut down on your monthly utility bills. 

The Security Features of the Door 

Your garage door makes up a large percentage of the exterior of your home, which also makes it a convenient access point. For you, that’s great, but unfortunately, it’s also great for would-be robbers and criminals. Finding a garage door that boasts security features like reinforced glass, tinted windows, and other security options will help you sleep a little more peacefully at night. You can also head to our blog post on how to boost your garage door security for free tips and tricks to secure your garage door. 

Options for Customization 

Although it’s great to have plenty of options, there’s nothing quite as great as being able to fully customize your door. Depending on which company you buy a door from, you may be able to customize design and functionality options such as colours, materials, insulation, sizes, and more. 

At C&W Canada Garage Doors, we work with Amarr Overhead Doors because they offer so many great lines of garage doors, most of which are almost completely customizable. Whenever we help a new client with finding a door, we always start with a conversation to demonstrate all the options, then order a door that’s built to custom specifications. 

Garage Door Opener Options

For most people, a garage door opens and closes at least once a day (and probably many more than that in the summer months!) If you’ve ever cringed when your garage creaks open, you know the importance of a smooth, silent door. New garage door openers can provide that for much longer. 

Plus, you can have the added convenience of a garage door opener that can be operated from virtually anywhere from an app that relies on Wi-Fi. This means you can give someone access to your garage, get notifications about when it’s been opened, and skip the remote (which offers criminals a way into your garage from your vehicle). 

The Safety Features of the Opener

Your garage door is probably the largest moving appliance in your home. It’s heavy and strong (as it needs to be!), but this can pose safety risks, especially for children and pets. Modern garage door openers have many built-in safety features such as automatic reversal, but in fact, it’s most important that you work with an experienced garage door technician who can install and test your door. 

Hire an Expert For garage door installation

Getting the right garage door is as much about choosing an installer as it is about selecting the door itself. Garage door technicians can help walk you through your options and might be able to solve specific problems with custom solutions. 

A technician with decades of experience will also understand how to match your specific needs to a door that you’ll love for many years to come. At C&W Canada Garage Doors, we’re second generation garage door technicians. We have experience you can trust when it comes to choosing the perfect garage door for your home. 

If you’d like to know more about our garage door options or are looking for garage door installation in Edmonton get in touch with our team!