Buying a Garage Door: How to Find the Best Value

May 17, 2010 | Garage Doors

Buying a garage door is not as easy as most people would like to think. When you go into a store, you will be surprised at the vast array of options that will bombard you. Fortunately, there are things you can do to narrow down your choices and make shopping easier for you. Below, you will find some of the most important features you need to look into in order to find the best value for your garage.

Type of Drive
One of the first things you need to consider when buying a garage door is the type of drive of the opener. Major options include chain, belt, and screw. Chain-drive openers, which are the oldest among the three, are a very popular choice. However, they are quite noisy, which means they are not the best choice if your garage is located near a bedroom.

Belt-drive openers are similar to the first type of drive except that they are equipped with a rubber belt. They cost a bit more than chain-drive openers but they are very quiet. The screw-drive openers come in the middle in terms of cost and noise. They also require little maintenance and they are the easiest to install. This is the ideal option if you are planning a DIY project for the installation of your garage door.

Power
A ½ horsepower garage door openers is suitable for a standard two-car garage door. If you have something smaller, a smaller motor would suffice. However, if your door is on the large and heavy side, you may want an opener that comes with ¾ horsepower.

Size
garage door sizes also play a crucial role in the decision making process. The standard size of a garage door is 7 feet tall, and you should choose an opener that can accommodate doors that are up to 6 inches taller than this stated average size.

Safety
Garage doors should be made according to the safety standards set by the state government. For one, a door should be equipped with a safety mechanism that stops and reverses a closing door when it hits a certain object. This safety feature can save people, prevent injuries, and minimize damage to cars and other possessions. It is also a good idea to buy an opener that comes with a rolling code feature to protect your home against burglars.

Material
Aesthetically speaking, wooden garage doors are on top of the list. They are also the most expensive though. Now, when it comes to durability, steel is the most sought after choice. Aside from being reasonably priced, steel doors also require minimal maintenance. And if you really want the beauty of wooden garage doors, you can always have it painted in textures that mimic this material. Other material options to consider include aluminum, fiberglass, and wood composite.

Automation
automatic garage doors are all the rage in the market today. Who can resist the convenience of “one button push” systems, right? For garage doors, you have the choice to buy something that comes with a remote control or keyless entry pad. These are great not only for convenience but more important for security and protection.

Now that you know the important factors to consider when buying a garage door, you will be able to save time, money, and energy. Aside from that, it will also be easier for you to find the perfect choice.

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