Buyers Guide to Choosing the Right Garage Door for Your Home

A garage is more than a functional space — it adds to your home’s visual appeal and keeps your valuables secure. You want to choose a garage door that takes those benefits even further. With today’s endless selection of premium design features and different materials, choosing the right garage door can be challenging.

Whether you’re replacing your door due to wear and tear or need to enhance your property’s curb appeal, we have you covered. In our comprehensive garage door buying guide, you’ll learn how to choose a garage door for your home, considering factors like climate, security and material. As a result, you’ll be able to select a garage door that looks great and protects your interior garage space.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Garage Door

Picking out the right garage door starts with understanding your requirements and how garage doors differ. Check out these important considerations for upgrading your garage door:

1. Budget

Price is one of the first factors homeowners consider when deciding on a new garage door. The following elements can influence the cost of your new door:

• Material: Different materials like steel, wood, and aluminum have varying costs. Wood is among the most elegant options and tends to have a higher price point. Stainless steel and aluminum are typically more affordable. 
• Size: Larger doors require more labour and material, typically costing more than smaller doors. Custom sizes can also increase costs due to specialized manufacturing needs. 
• Style: Whether you choose a traditional or modern door, any intricate designs, windows, decorative hardware, or custom finishes can add to the price of a standard design. 
• Type: Different types of garage doors, such as sectional, roll-up, carriage-style, or traditional swing-out doors, have different price points. High-tech features like smart capabilities or high-security options can also increase a door’s cost.

While budget is important, consider the value a brand-new, high-quality garage door can offer. An attractive door can improve your home’s curb appeal, while materials like aluminum offer greater insulation and durability.

2. Climate

Consider your local climate and the level of insulation you’ll need when choosing a new door. If your garage connects to your home or you primarily enter the house through this space, you’ll want to look for garage doors with a good R-value. This value measures how well a particular material obstructs the transmission of heat or cold. The higher the R-value, the better the performance. 

An insulated garage door will maintain a target temperature, minimize energy loss, promote lower monthly utility bills, and protect your home from extreme weather events. Options like polystyrene or polyurethane foam insulation can offer thermal efficiency, designed to keep the heat inside when it’s cold and the air conditioning in when it’s hot. 

For example, R-values of 6.5 to 9.0 offer a good starting point for efficiency and protection from the elements, while R-values of 12 and over are popular for those who live in cooler climates, like Ontario. You might also find wind-resistant garage doors with built-in storm reinforcement to secure your door during such events. 

3. Security

Your garage door should enhance your home’s security to protect your loved ones and valuable possessions. To find a good-quality, protective garage door, look for features like motion sensors, sturdy locking systems, durable materials and rolling code technology. Security features like these can give you greater peace of mind that your home is well-protected and your family is safe.

4. Material

Material is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a new garage door, playing a significant role in your door’s durability, maintenance and insulation capabilities. Common materials include steel, aluminum and fibreglass, each with unique pros and cons.

Choose a material based on local climate, desired maintenance level and design preferences:

• Steel: These doors offer durability, strength and availability in many styles, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. They are low-maintenance, relatively affordable and provide a modern, sleek look. Steel doors typically have high R-values, featuring polystyrene or advanced insulation technologies for better comfort and energy efficiency.
• Wood: Wooden garage doors offer a classic and elegant look many homeowners desire. They are also highly customizable and can accommodate the shape or size you request. While wood requires regular maintenance, these garage doors will significantly enhance your home’s curb appeal. They are also resilient, so they will not dent under pressure. 
• Aluminum: These garage doors are lightweight and low-maintenance. Aluminum is also resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for homes near bodies of water. They offer a modern look, with various finishes to suit most preferences. 
• Fibreglass: Fibreglass doors offer durability and resistance in extreme climates. They can mimic the appearance of wood while offering better moisture and cracking resistance.

5. Style and Design

When buying a garage door, you’ll find many styles that can complement your home’s design. From traditional and rustic to contemporary and modern, there is something for every aesthetic vision. You’ll also discover various panels, window placements and decorative hardware options to complete the look. 

Learn how to choose a garage door style and explore the popular options below.

• Raised panel: Raised-panel garage doors offer a traditional look, featuring symmetrical, raised rectangular panels. You can choose from different constructions and designs, including natural wood and insulated garage door options. 
• Recessed panel: A great option to match with traditional looks while complimenting modern features. Also known as a “shaker-style” this popular design has many panel and window options to compliment most homes.
• Carriage style: This is a popular garage door design that works with various architectural styles, though they tend to suit Tudors, Colonials and Craftsman homes the best since they offer a traditional look. However, it’s not uncommon to find them in contemporary homes for their charm and beauty.
• Contemporary or modern: These garage doors are best known for their functional details and clean lines. Frosted glass panels and aluminum frames are popular customization options for this style. These doors best suit mid-century modern or modern homes, complementing high-tech materials and clean lines.

Functionality

Consider how you want your garage doors to operate. Overhead sectional doors that roll up and down on mounted tracks are the most popular. These pair easily with automatic garage door openers, making them a convenient option. They can be built to open up all the way to the ceiling, follow a roof pitch, or configured with little headroom making them the optimal choice for all garage applications.

Also, think about how you’ll use the space. Will you use it solely to park your car or as an extended living and recreational area? How you intend to use your garage will help you choose a door that best suits your needs.

Window Options

Many homeowners desire windows on their garage doors. Windows allow sunlight to enter the garage, creating a more well-lit, welcoming space. A sun-filled garage is ideal if you plan on spending a lot of time in it or converting it into a usable space like a workshop or gym.

Windows can also make your home’s exterior more appealing. Many homeowners opt for windows that match the rest of the home, giving it a unified, pleasant appearance. You’ll find garage door windows in plain and decorative styles, allowing you to customize and enhance your home’s visual appeal.

Garage door windows come in various glass styles, including clear, rain, seeded, obscure, frosted and insulated. Clopay® doors specifically feature ultraviolet protection to enhance your space’s comfort and energy efficiency. 

Maintenance

You must maintain your garage door to keep it looking and performing its best. Certain materials require more care than others. For instance, wood calls for periodic refinishing, and other materials, such as composite, require little upkeep. Steel and aluminum are also known for their resistance and durability, offering a low-maintenance option no matter where you live. 

Regularly inspect your garage door and call a professional for repairs if needed. Look for signs of wear and tear, including dents, rust or misalignment. If you catch these issues early, having your garage door professionally serviced and tuned up can prevent an unexpected breakdown and more expensive repairs. 

Professional Installation 

Garage door installation is a complex task, requiring expertise and specialized tools, so you’ll need to hire a professional to complete this process. A reputable company can ensure a seamless installation experience, optimizing your new garage door for functionality and preventing safety hazards.

At Whitby Garage Doors, you’ll find a diverse collection of residential garage door options, from contemporary to carriage house options, that will enhance your curb appeal. Our Clopay doors are made from quality steel, wood and aluminum, tested to withstand the harshest climates for long-term resilience.

Once you’ve chosen the best door for your home, our highly trained professionals will quickly and safely install your door using the best industry practices. We specialize in many garage door services, including repairs and maintenance, to ensure your garage door operates smoothly and efficiently for many years.

Comparing Popular Clopay Garage Door Models

Whitby Garage Doors offers all garage door styles from Clopay, crafted with the finest wood, steel, composite, and aluminum. Each piece is constructed with high-quality practices and attractive finishes, which can add functionality and beauty to your space. Clopay doors are also handcrafted with layered construction, giving your home extra protection from varying temperatures while improving energy efficiency and costs.

Explore our various garage door styles, including these collections:

• Canyon Ridge®: The Clopay Canyon Ridge series borrows inspiration from all kinds of contemporary aesthetics. Explore classic carriage styles within the Limited Edition series and Ultra-Grain® series, or be daring with the Modern collection. This collection offers four- or five-layer construction. It also features a composite overlay intricately designed to mimic real wood. These are low-maintenance options and will not warp, crack or rot.
• Coachman®: The steel carriage house style of the Coachman collection enables endless design choices. Choose from over 100 different style combinations, including gorgeous paint finishes, glass design options and decorative hardware.
• Gallery®: Ideal for Colonial or Craftsman homes, Gallery garage doors use high-quality steel and come in long or short panels. You can customize them with different paint colours, decorative hardware, and glass designs.

• Bridgeport®: Ideal for Colonial or Craftsman homes, Bridgeport garage doors use high-quality steel and come in long or short panels. You can customize them with different paint colours, decorative hardware, and glass designs.

• Modern Steel®: Give your home’s exterior a bold facade with the Modern Steel collection, available in layered steel and varying textures. You can also personalize these garage doors with 13 factory paint colors, including Ultra-Grain finishes, glass styles, and sizing options. 
• Avante®: The Avante series offers a combination of modern and organic inspiration, making it suitable for any home style. This door comes with a low-maintenance aluminum frame construction and various glazing, color, and glass design options. 
• Classic Wood®: The Classic Wood series offers raised, recessed and flush panel designs handcrafted with natural wood. Choose from hemlock, redwood, or cedar wood to transform your home’s exterior and enhance curb appeal. 

We invite you to visit our showroom so you have a better understanding of your garage door options. Browse beautiful styles and materials that complement your home’s architecture and meet your vision. If our showroom doesn’t feature a style that meets your expectations, our team will help you design a custom garage door with various stain and color options, glass designs and hardware.

Explore Quality Garage Doors at Whitby Garage Doors

With our garage door selection guide in mind, you can find the perfect garage door for your home. Consider essential factors like climate, material, style and security features to make the best choice. When you’re ready to make your decision, turn to the professionals at Whitby Garage Doors. Our experts will help you find the right garage door for your home and requirements.

You can trust us to provide seamless installation, repairs and maintenance. Our technicians can provide services and guidance to prolong your garage door’s life span and help you get the most from your purchase. When something goes awry with your garage door, you can rely on us to address the issue quickly.

Browse high-quality Clopay garage doors today to discover all of the high-quality options that are available to you. If you want to enjoy the convenience of a powerful garage door opener, Whitby Garage Doors also sells versatile opener systems that help you access your garage at the click of a button — all while providing an extra layer of security.

Call us at 905-665-6886 or contact us via our form to request additional information about our residential garage doors. We also invite you to visit our showroom in Whitby, Ontario, to browse our selection and choose the best garage door for your home.