Looking to install a new garage door? You’ll have to look at many considerations that go beyond simple appearance: functionality, operation and safety are also extremely important. Here are some things to think about:
- Material: From wood and steel to vinyl and aluminum, you have a lot of choices when it comes to the material of your garage door. The one you settle on will depend on your budget, home décor and personal preferences. Wood is a traditional choice that goes well with Colonial homes, for example, while vinyl is a modern, durable choice that goes with any style.
- Maintenance: Next, the upkeep requirements will be an important consideration. Wood is certainly a beautiful material but it needs a lot of TLC to avoid peeling and rotting. You’ll have to paint or stain it every few years. Steel doors are more durable than other material types, with just a basic level of maintenance. Vinyl doors have a longer lifespan, they don’t rust and they don’t need to be painted. Aluminum doors also have low maintenance requirements.
- Insulation: The insulation level of your garage doors will determine your energy bills, and it all relates to the R-Value of the door you choose. A higher R-Value reduces outside noise and ensures more stable temperatures. It’s basically the measure of resistance to heat flow, and is used to show the energy efficiency of a particular product.
- Safety: Perhaps the most important consideration is from a safety standpoint. From pinch-resistant features to garage door reversal functions, don’t skimp on these features when choosing a door. After all, it’s the largest moving piece of equipment on your home and wields the power to maim or kill.
- Springs: The counterbalance spring system is the mechanism that opens and closes your door. The opener will signal the initial push but the springs do all the rest of the work. The spring mechanism on your door must be sturdy, strong, and made of the best materials. It’s important to get this inspected regularly.
- Warranty: It’s important that you protect your investment, so search for doors with industry-leading warranties that guard against splitting, rusting and cracking. Remember, home warranties do not cover garage doors.
- Service Quality: The quality of the garage door installation job is just as critical as the material you go with. Sub-par installation by workers who are inexperienced, unqualified, or who lack a license and insurance will come back to haunt you in the end. You may have problems with your door over the years, or you may have to face replacement much sooner than you should have. When you make the right choice the first time, you get peace of mind knowing your door will last the test of time.
Contact M&M Garage Door
Here at M&M Garage Door, you can rely on our quality service and installation as well as quality doors in a variety of materials. Call us to find out more at 586-610-5434.