Design Your Door
Where To BuyExploring Different Types of Garage Doors
A new garage door can instantly enhance a home's curb appeal, providing a fresh, updated look. And with so many styles, materials, and price points available, homeowners have a wide range of options for finding a garage door that perfectly complements their home. From classic raised panel and carriage house doors to modern glass paneled and aluminum doors, there's a garage door to suit every style.
Custom doors provide even more design possibilities, allowing homeowners to create a truly unique look that sets their home apart. Whether you're looking to make a bold statement or simply want to update your home's exterior, a new garage door is a simple and effective way to do so. Here we'll detail the different types of garage doors available, the key features of each, the types of homes they suit, and the factors to consider when selecting a garage door.
One of the most popular options is a traditional garage door, which offers a classic look and feel that complements a variety of home styles. Within the traditional category, there are several sub-styles, including raised panel and carriage house doors.
Raised Panel Doors
Raised panel garage doors (like Clopay’s Classic™ Steel) are a timeless choice that works well with many different types of homes. These doors feature panels that are raised above the door's surface. The panels can be short or long, depending on the desired look, and they can be arranged in a variety of configurations.
One of the key benefits of raised panel doors is their versatility. They can be made from different materials, including steel and wood, allowing homeowners to select the option that best fits their budget and needs. Steel raised panel doors are a popular choice due to their durability and low maintenance requirements. They can also come with a wood grain composite overlay to give them the look of real wood at a lower cost.
Wood raised panel doors (like Clopay’s Classic™ Wood) offer a warm, natural appearance that many homeowners enjoy. They can be stained or painted to match the home's exterior. While they provide excellent curb appeal, wood doors do require more maintenance than steel, as they can be prone to warping or rotting if not properly cared for.
Carriage House Doors
Carriage house garage doors are another type of traditional door that have gained popularity in recent years. These doors are inspired by the doors found on carriage houses of the past and feature a rustic, charming appearance. They often have a distressed finish and may include decorative hardware to enhance their look. Like raised panel doors, carriage house doors can be made from a variety of materials, including steel, wood, and composite materials. We’ll take a closer look at carriage house doors below.
For homeowners who want a sleek, modern look, contemporary garage doors are an excellent choice. These doors feature clean lines and minimal adornment. They can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, aluminum, and wood.
Glass Paneled Doors
Glass paneled garage doors are a popular choice for contemporary homes. These doors feature large panels of glass that allow natural light to enter the garage during the day. At night, the glass panels can be backlit to create a dramatic effect.
These doors can be made with a variety of glass types, including clear, frosted, and tinted. Clear glass provides unobstructed views and allows the most natural light to enter. Frosted glass provides privacy while still allowing light to enter. Tinted glass reduces glare and provides UV protection.
The frames of glass paneled doors are typically made from aluminum (like Clopay’s Avante® and Avante® Sleek), which is lightweight and corrosion resistant. They can be anodized, or powder coated, in a variety of colors to match the home's exterior.
Aluminum Doors
Aluminum garage doors are another popular choice for contemporary homes. These doors are lightweight and rust resistant, making them a low maintenance option and a good choice for homes in coastal areas. As previously noted, they can be anodized, or powder coated in a variety of colors.
Modern Wood Garage Doors
While wood doors are often associated with traditional styles, they can also be used to create a contemporary look. Contemporary wood doors (like Clopay’s Reserve® Wood Modern) often feature clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and an emphasis on showcasing the natural beauty of the wood.
Carriage house garage doors are a popular choice for homeowners who want to add a touch of rustic charm to their home's exterior. Also known as “barn style doors,” they’re reminiscent of the doors found on old carriage houses. They can be made from a variety of materials, including steel, wood, and composite materials.
What Makes Carriage House Doors Different?
One of the key things that sets carriage house doors apart from other types of garage doors is their unique design. The panels of carriage house doors are typically wider than those found on traditional garage doors, giving them a more rustic appearance. And because of their handles and hardware, they can appear to open from the center like a traditional entry door. But in fact, they still operate in an up and down motion.
Carriage house doors can also be made with a swing-up design, similar to the doors found on old carriage houses. These doors swing upwards when opened, providing a unique, eye-catching look. They often require additional tracks and hardware, which can increase their cost.
For homeowners looking for farmhouse chic, barn-style carriage house doors are a great choice. These doors feature a crossbuck pattern (looks like a giant X) across each of the door panels and includes decorative hinges and handles to enhance the look.
Carriage house garage doors, including barn-style doors, complement a variety of home styles. They work particularly well with country-inspired homes but can also add a touch of charm to more modern homes. If this style appeals to you, consider Clopay’s Canyon Ridge® Carriage House series, Coachman®, Grand Harbor®, Reserve® Wood Limited Edition, or Reserve® Wood Semi-Custom doors.
Custom garage doors can be designed to match any home style, from modern and sleek to quirky and charming. They offer near endless design possibilities, allowing homeowners to create a door that reflects their personal taste and enhances their home's curb appeal.
There’s a number of reasons you may need to choose a custom garage door. For those with a historic home, a custom door can be designed to match the home's original style. This can be particularly important if you live in a historic district and need to maintain the home's original blueprint. Or if you have an unusually sized opening—a custom door may be the only way to go.
For homeowners who want to make a statement, a custom garage door can provide a unique, eye-catching look. You can work with a designer to create a door, selecting from a variety of materials, including wood, steel, aluminum, and glass, choose a color, stain, or finish, and add features like windows, insulation, and hardware. A custom garage door gives you a chance to choose a bold color or a distinctive design that sets the home apart from others in the neighborhood.
When it comes to selecting a garage door, homeowners have a wide range of options. With so many styles, materials, and price points available, it can be overwhelming to navigate the selection process. However, by considering a few key factors, you can find a garage door that looks great on your house, fits your budget, and meets your needs.
First, consider your home’s style. For traditional homes, classic styles like raised panel or carriage house doors may be the best fit. These doors feature a timeless design that complements a lot of home styles. For modern homes, contemporary styles like glass paneled or aluminum doors may be a better choice. These doors offer a sleek, streamlined look that enhances the home's curb appeal.
And if you want a unique, eye-catching look, a custom garage door may be the way to go. Custom doors can be designed to match any home style and can include a variety of unique features.
The material of the garage door is another important factor. Wood doors offer a warm, natural appearance and can be stained or painted to match the home's exterior. However, they do require more maintenance than other materials, as they can be prone to warping, cracking, or rotting. They also tend to be the most expensive option.
Steel doors are durable and low maintenance, making them a practical choice. You can add a composite overlay with a wood grain pattern to give them the look of real wood at a lower cost. In general, steel doors are more affordable and a good choice for homeowners on a budget.
Aluminum doors are lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making them a good choice for homes in coastal areas. They can be powder coated in a variety of colors to match the home's exterior and designed with large glass panels to allow natural light to enter the garage. As far as price goes, aluminum doors fall somewhere in between the price of steel and wood, offering a balance of affordability and durability.
By considering factors like the home's style, the material of the door, and the budget, homeowners can find a garage door that fits their needs. Whether you're looking for a traditional, contemporary, or custom door, Clopay has a wide selection of high-quality garage doors to choose from. Find a Clopay garage door dealer near you and discover how a new garage door can transform your home's exterior!
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