5 things to consider when buying a garage door

Need to purchase a new garage door? To make an informed decision, consider the following five elements:

1. Colour. Match your garage door to your door and window frames, taking into account the colour of your home’s exterior cladding or motar.

2. Style. Your garage door, from the shape of the panels and windows to the style of the handles and hinges, should harmonize with the overall architecture of your house. For example, choose a simple, structured model if your home has a modern design.

3.I nsulation. Having a properly insulated door means that your garage will get less cold in the winter and less hot during the summer. Check its R-value a measure of thermal resistance; the higher the R-value, the better the insulation and U-value, a measure of heat loss; the lower the U-value, the better.

Hardware.

4. For a door that’s silent, durable and easy to open, choose a model equipped with high-quality tracks, springs and bearings, and make sure that they’re adequately calibrated according to the weight of the door.

5. Material. Various materials are available be sure to research the characteristics of each one. For example, steel is more resistant to impact than aluminum but also subject to rust wood is durable but high-maintenance.

Finally, to ensure your garage door’s durability, safety and performance, always leave the installation to the pros.