The overhead garage door used to be something that was only used when moving a vehicle into or out of the garage space.
It was utilitarian in the max, and no one thought about it much until they had to brave the elements to get out of their cars to raise or lower it.
They didn't much care what their doors looked like as long as they functioned as expected.
No one back then could have imagined how important automatic garage doors would become to 21st century homeowners.
In fact, statistics show that garage doors have replaced the front door as the main entrance in 71% of all homes.
The advent of attached garages and automatic door openers has sparked the new uses of the doors.
Face it.
The automatic door is by far the easiest access to most homes and the most convenient.
With the push of a button, you can sail your car into the garage and out of the rain and snow.
Loading and unloading groceries and other supplies from your car to your home is a whole lot faster and more efficient.
Older folks will remember when they had to unload their car from a garage that was some distance from the house and then carry everything to a locked door of their home in order to get it inside through pouring rain or on driveways covered with snow and ice.
It's no wonder that people have embraced a much easier way of accomplishing the same chores.
In addition, experts have ascertained that just replacing your garage door with a new mid-range model will pay back almost 72% of the approximate $1,512 cost.
Even high-end garage doors will recoup almost this much of their cost with the value they add to a home.
Determining the type of replacement door to install may be the biggest challenge involved.
Doors are now available in wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl.
In order to narrow down the choices, you will need to base your decision on four key factors: aesthetics, safety, insulation, and maintenance.
1.
Since curb appeal has become such a large factor in the resale value of a home, the way the garage door looks has become increasingly more important.
Your choice of doors, therefore, will need to take the way the door will look with your home into account.
2.
New doors feature safety devices that weren't available on older models.
You may have heard the sad stories about children being killed when trapped under the heavy doors.
Choosing a new door that includes stops for doors that hit something during their descent and technology that prevents pinched fingers can be important.
3.
Garages aren't just used to store vehicles any more.
Many of them contain workshops, and some even have living space above them.
If your garage is being used for these types of functions, you will want a well-insulated door which will keep the space at more comfortable temperatures.
4.
You also probably don't want a door that's going to need a lot of maintenance.
Steel doors are a popular choice because they are so cost-effective.
You can buy them already well-insulated and with 25-year warranties against paint fading and rust.