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Canyon Ridge 4-Layer Carriage House garage door, Design 21 with REC11 windows in Black.
Whether you prefer a bold statement or a subtle accent, there are many options to enhance the curb appeal of your home with garage door color. Choosing the right garage door color for a dark exterior involves a decision of contrast, matching, or blending to achieve the look you want.
Is your garage door an architectural focal point or does it play a secondary role on the side or back of your house? More importantly, do you want it to stand out or blend in?
Stand Out Contrast
One of the most effective ways to make your garage door stand out against a dark exterior is by choosing a contrasting color. Contrast adds visual interest and creates a focal point, drawing attention to the garage door and breaking up the monotony of a dark facade.
Coachman garage door, Design 11 with REC13 windows in white. Photo credit: Andy Frame.
If your exterior is painted charcoal or navy, consider a garage door in a lighter color such as white, beige, or light gray. These neutral tones not only contrast beautifully with dark exteriors but also create a striking visual impact that instantly elevates the look of your home.
On the other hand, if you prefer more dramatic contrast, bold colors like vibrant red, lime green or even pale blue, pink or orange can inject personality and charm into your exterior while still providing the desired contrast against the dark backdrop. Clopay offers custom factory painting with a choice over 1,500 Sherwin Williams colors using our Color Blast® option.
Choosing a garage door with a woodgrain finish can add warmth and texture to a dark exterior while providing a timeless and classic appeal that never goes out of style.
Gallery Steel long panel garage door in Medium Ultra-Grain finish. Photo credit: Randi Lynne Creative for Elyse McCurdy Designs.
Reserve Wood Limited Edition garage doors in Cedar finish. Photo credit: Caruso Builders.
Matching for Harmony
While contrast can be captivating, you may prefer a more harmonious look that seamlessly blends the garage door with the rest of the exterior. Matching the garage door color with elements like the trim, front door, and even the roof can create a cohesive and unified appearance that exudes sophistication and elegance.
The bronze frame on these Avante® garage doors complements the cedar wood siding, roof trim, and natural stone hardscape.
Black Modern Steel grooved panel design with frosted glass windows down one side. Photo credit: @midcenturydefined
For dark exteriors, consider a garage door color that resembles the primary hue of your home's facade. This could mean selecting a shade that exactly matches the siding or stone veneer or choosing a darker or lighter variation to add depth and dimension without overpowering the overall aesthetic.
Canyon Ridge 5-Layer Carriage House garage door, Design 12 with REC11 windows in a custom stain finish.
Canyon Ridge Elements, Design 12 with REC13 windows in Black. Photo credit: John Colaneri.
Canyon Ridge 4-Layer Carriage House garage doors, Design 11 with REC14 windows in Slate Ultra-Grain finish. Photo credit: Stoffer Photography Interiors.
Blending in with Subtlety
If you prefer a more understated approach, blending the garage door color with the surrounding elements can create a seamless transition that enhances the overall architectural appeal of your home. This technique works especially well for homeowners who want the garage door to integrate seamlessly into the facade without drawing too much attention.
Black garage doors with minimal detail recede into the façade of the exteriors below.
Bridgeport Steel garage door, long panel design with windows.
Modern Steel flush panel garage door in Black with windows. Photo credit: Top Notch Contracting.
For a dark exterior, consider a garage door color that closely matches the secondary hues or accents present in the surrounding landscape or architectural features. This could include subtle tones like muted greens, soft blues, or earthy browns that blend with the natural elements of your home's exterior.
Accessorizing with Light and Texture
Adding windows to your door is a great way to bring style and natural light to the garage. Depending on the size, shape and glass type you choose, windows can serve as a way to add color and dimension to a dark exterior – especially when the door is lit from inside at night.
Avante garage doors with a black aluminum frame and frosted glass panels. Photo credit: Andy Frame.
Another way to accomplish this effect is to choose a garage door that incorporates pattern or texture into the design instead of relying on color alone as seen on this faux wood garage door with aluminum accent strips.
Canyon Ridge Modern garage door with metal accent strips in Slate finish.
Selecting a garage door color for your home’s exterior is a big decision. You want to make the right choice and Clopay has several tools to help.
You can order free color samples for any door model so you can compare finishes in the actual setting. You can also use our Door Imagination System™ to upload a photo of your home and try on different colors to get an idea of the level of contrast or blending you want the garage door to have. If you don’t see the exact hue you want, you can have your garage door custom painted a Sherwin Williams color with our Color Blast option.
Finally, contact your local dealer to see full-size doors in their showroom and get a quote.
