What size should your garage door be? Garage doors can be made to fit almost any opening, so it really comes down to your preference and what will accommodate your garage. For example, if you have a two car garage, you can decide whether you want two separate doors for each car, or one large door for both. Once you make your decision, simply measure each opening carefully to determine what size you’ll need.

What garage door styles should you consider? Your garage door is more than a functional necessity; it’s also an extension of the entire look of your home. When shopping for one, try to find a style that complements your home’s aesthetic. In general, a style is based on panels; choose flush panels if you want a slightly textured flat surface that will blend into your home’s décor, or decide on long-raised panels to give the illusion of depth and width on your door. Short-raised panels are essentially the same type of panel design as long-raised, only in shorter widths. This differentiates the aesthetic, while painted panels will add an extra visual appeal to your garage door through contrasting colors.

What materials are available? Wood and steel are the most common materials used to construct garage doors. Wood doors offer a more traditional look and are available in a range of wood species. They can be painted or stained, and can feature a variety of raised panel designs to create a custom look. Steel doors tend to be more economical and durable over time, and come in three distinct types: single-layer, double-layer and triple-layer. Single-layer garage doors consist of one single sheet of galvanized steel, double-layer consists of a layer of galvanized steel skin paired with a thick layer of polystryrene or polyurethane, and triple-layer starts with the construct of a double-layer door with an additional layer of galvanized skin to reduce damage to the polystryrene or polyurethane. As the layers increase, so do durability, insulation and noise reduction. Fiberglass is occasionally used for garage doors, but beware that it’s not very durable, yellows with age and is a poor insulator.

Do you plan to use your garage as an active space, such as a workshop, play area or laundry room? When purchasing a new garage door, consider the temperature of your garage. Pay close attention to the thermal resistance of garage doors, known as the R-value. The higher the R-value, the better it will insulate. In moderate climates, your door’s R-value should be at least a 3, while in colder climates, look for an R-value of at least 10. In addition, be sure your garage door is weather sealed along both the panels and the bottom.

Begin your search garage door search here by see what materials and styles are available.