Designing Your Garage Door
Key considerations when designing your garage door
The garage door is often overlooked, yet it can account for up to 50% of a home’s front façade. In some cases it is one of the most impactful design elements on the exterior of your home. When building or renovating, the number of decisions can quickly feel overwhelming. While garage door options are extensive, choosing the right one doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right guidance, the process can be as simple or as detailed as you need. So where do you start?
Key considerations when choosing the right garage door:
1
The type of Garage Door
2
Your budget
3
Design features on your home
4
The location of your home
The Type of Garage Door
There are three key types of Garage Doors. One of the first steps is deciding which of these will work for your home.
Roller Garage Doors
Ideal for older homes with limited garage door space
- Made with Colorbond® Steel
- Great for sheds and storage areas
- Lowest cost option
Sectional Garage Doors
Ideal for modern homes with wider garage door openings
- Most popular style of garage door
- Works with modern homes
- Wide range of design options – panel designs, colours and even features like windows
Specialty Garage Doors
Ideal for those that want to invest more into premium custom designs
- Custom designed to suit homes with unique architectural features
- High quality materials at a higher price point
- Highest variety of styles and materials
Your Budget
The budget you put towards your garage door depends on a few factors. Before deciding on this consider the following factors.
Design and style impact: Is the garage door a design feature or a functional part of the home? If you want to make a statement with the door, you may need a larger budget due to material choices. If it is purely functional, consider sticking with standard designs that are more cost-effective.
How will your garage be used: Is this is a key entry to your home or used solely to store the cars? If the door is the key entry, maybe you want to make this a feature design and add additional safety features and accessories. Or if you’re a car lover and you work on your cars in the garage, you may want to budget for windows to add additional light, or use unique materials such as glass or acrylic that will let light into the garage.
The size of your garage door opening: The larger the opening, the higher the cost of your garage door. This may mean you want to stick with classic, standard designs rather than more premium materials to keep the costs down. Or if the size of the garage door does make it a feature and you have a higher budget, consider more premium materials and designs.
All of these factors may influence the price of your garage door and how much you are willing to spend.
Design Features of Your Home
Before looking at materials or colors, think about the house itself.
- What is the architectural style of the home?
- Is the garage front-facing and visually dominant, or secondary?
- What existing elements should the door relate to (front door, windows, trim, roof)?
Your garage door should support the overall design concept of the home, not introduce a competing one. Once you have thought about this, consider the look you are trying to achieve.
Blend in or Make a Statement
The next consideration is if you want the garage door to blend in or stand out. This will impact your design decision.
Blend in: Complement existing features of the home by choosing a colour already on the home. This can work with either a classic Roller Door or a Sectional Door. For a Sectional Door consider simple panel styles such as Madison or Tuscan that will remain classic over time.
Make a statement: Make the door a design feature of the home. For this consider the wood look Native Series or unique materials available in the Gliderol specialty range
Design Tips:
- Think about the long term appeal of your home, not just trends.
- Consider what will still look good in 10-15 years and add value to your home
- A general design rule is to stick with three colours across the front façade of your home.
The Location of Your Home
You may not realise the location of your home plays a big role in what garage door designs actually make sense, not just aesthetically, but functionally and financially. Here are key considerations when it comes to where you live:
- Cold climates might benefit from standard steel or composite panels over real wood.
- Hot climates need UV resistant finishes like Colorbond® Steel. Consider lighter colours that reduce heat absorption.
- Insulated doors such as the Danmar Thermopanel will help keep the garage warmer in cooler climates and cooler in warmer climates.
Coastal homes
- Avoid untreated wood in coastal areas.
- Review your warranty as this may be effected if you live close to the ocean.
- Aluminium materials used in Selections and Danmar ranges are more weather resistant and are easy to clean in a seaside climate.
Cyclone prone areas
- It is a legal requirement in many parts of Queensland to use Cyclone Rated garage doors. Gliderol have the StormSafe range of roller and sectional garage doors.
Garage Door Decision Checklist
Style of home and area
- What is your home design style
- Check neighborhood designs and what will work in your area
Design strategy
- Decide if the garage will be a visual focal point or blend in
- Are there architectural features you want to match or complement
- How are you using the garage (for example do you need natural light)
- Will the design last for 10-15 years
Colour choices
- What other colours are on the front façade – eg. roof and gutters
- If the garage door is a feature – use a high contrast colour
- Is the colour appropriate for sun exposure and climate
Material considerations
- Steel – low maintenance, budget concious
- Wood look – low maintenance, medium budget
- Real Wood – high character, higher maintenance, higher cost
- Aluminum & glass – modern look, higher cost
Optional Extras
- For additional light, consider windows
- Pest prone area, consider ember seals
- Additional Safety, consider safety beams
- High entry zone, consider remote accessories
Create the Perfect First Impression
Let’s create the perfect entrance for your home. Contact our friendly team today for expert advice and your free measure and quote.
