Until it’s time to buy one, most people never consider the thought that needs to go into purchasing a garage door. It’s not exactly cheap, and you’ll want it to last for a long time, so it’s important that you take the time to consider all your options and preferences.
Of course, all the time in the world won’t matter if you’re not sure what you’re looking at. You need to know what makes one garage door better than the other, as well as what types are appropriate for your home. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should take into consideration before ultimately making a purchase.
Size
It’s important to take note of the size of the garage door that you’re buying. This is particularly important if you’re buying a specialized door rather than a general one. Measure the area where the door is supposed to fit and make sure the numbers work. Don’t forget to take all the necessary hardware into account.
A door that doesn’t fit is not an issue you want to deal with once you’ve made a purchase. You’ll have to modify your home to make it work, and that is an extremely stressful and expensive process.
Weather
You need to take the weather of your area into consideration. Is your garage door going to have to deal with extreme heat or cold? Lots of rain? Blizzards? In any case, you need to make sure your garage door is designed to handle the kind of weather it’s going to be exposed to. Wood doors work well in dry climates, while aluminum will work better when you have to deal with a lot of rain, snow or pests.
Security
Your door is there for a reason: to protect you, your loved ones and your possessions. Make sure it is up to the task. Some garage doors are designed to look nice, but if they can’t keep intruders out, they aren’t worth your money.
Warranty
Be sure to compare the warranties of different garage doors. It’s usually a good sign when the manufacturer is willing to offer a longer warranty. This means they have enough confidence in their product to back it up financially. Even if they are wrong, they’ll still be on the hook should any issues arise in the future.
HOA
If you belong to a Home Owner’s Association, there will often be rules about what kinds of changes you can make to your home. Make sure you take these rules into consideration before buying a garage door. You don’t want to find out, later on, that you’ve committed a violation.
Take Your Time
Finding the right garage door is not an easy task, but it is one you can accomplish if you take your time and do your research. Make sure to shop around and compare different models. If you know what you’re looking for, it won’t be too much trouble.
Gist of the Matter
Remember that the size will be important. You don’t want to be stuck with a garage door that requires modifications to your home. You’ll also need to make sure the door you choose can stand up to the weather conditions of your area. Security is another important area. If your door isn’t secure, there really isn’t any reason to have one. Also, make sure you compare warranties and check with the HOA for their rules on this subject.
Seth Richardson is a consultant for Overhead Door Clearwater, where Clearwater garage doors are his specialty. Seth helps customers navigate all their garage door replacement needs, questions, and concerns.
Leave a Reply