If you are like most homeowners, chances are you’ve never bought a new garage door. Garage doors are often a once or twice in a lifetime investment, as they can last for decades. So, if you are suddenly facing the need for garage door replacement in Winnebago or the surrounding areas, trust Garage Door Services! We work with garage door replacement each week, so we have compiled our knowledge into a short guide for you!
Whether your garage door has reached the end of its life, or you simply want to upgrade to match other renovations you’ve done around your house, this guide can help you through the process of garage door replacement from start to finish by highlighting key factors that you should keep in mind.
Cost
When you think of getting a new garage door, you may be surprised at the price. Simple single car garage doors can run at about $500, with simple garage door openers costing less than $100. With a little under $600 being the common low end, the price increases based on factors such as size, material, insulation and decoration. For example, standard two-car garage doors with automatic openers and professional installation typically cost between $1,500-2,000.
Garage doors don’t have to be a huge investment, but be prepared for more decorative styles and sturdier materials to increase the price estimate you will receive for your new garage door.
Size
Before you begin searching for a new garage door, it’s a good idea to measure the opening (including height, width, space on the left and right sides, backroom and headroom). These factors will help you determine which garage doors are within the realm of possibility for your garage and can give you a more accurate estimate on prices to start the project.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics boils down to two main components –style and color. This is where you can think about what windows, hardware and paneling options you desire. If your garage faces the curb, you may want to spend extra time thinking about what style and color will match your home as it is currently and will continue to match as you finish any other renovations you have been dreaming about.
Material & Insulation
In addition to aesthetics, you also have to determine which material is best for your home and location. Each material has its own benefits, and a professional garage door installation company can help you decide which best fits your needs:
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Wood
- Composite wood
Additionally, you can also determine if you want insulation in your garage door. This is especially important for attached garages with rooms above. You will commonly have three options for insulation:
- Single layer doors. These have no insulation.
- Double layer doors. These contain polystyrene insulation.
- Triple layer doors. These will typically incorporate polystyrene or polyurethane insulation.
Garage Door Openers
From there, you will have options for garage door openers. There are three main ways that garage door openers are operated:
- Belt drives
- Screw drives
- Chain drives
After you’ve decided between them, the next decision is horsepower for the motor. This decision should be based on the weight of the garage door you intend on installing. A motor with too little horsepower for the weight of the garage door will be unable to open the garage door.
Finally, some garage door openers feature extras such as vacation settings that will disable the garage door when you are away, a backup battery to allow you to open your garage door even without power, wireless keypads to allow you entry when you don’t have the remote control in hand, and more!
Professional Installation
The last factor to keep in mind is professional installation. With so many different moving pieces, it is always best to leave garage door replacement, repairs and installation to the professionals – like those here at Garage Door Services!
To learn more about garage door replacement in Winnebago or the surrounding areas, give us a call at Garage Door Services at 815-544-1927 or contact us.
