Garage Door Style Guide

A garage door is a significant investment. It can make your home more energy-efficient, help with security and add value to your property. Your garage door also affects your home’s exterior and curb appeal.

One of the main benefits of garage doors is that they are highly versatile when it comes to design. There are several types of garage door materials, operating types, decorations, colors and finishes to suit a wide range of aesthetics. Whether traditional or contemporary, rustic or modern, the right garage door plays a pivotal role in completing your home’s exterior to reflect your design preferences.

Table of Contents

• Different Garage Door Styles
• Common Garage Door Materials
• Important Functional Features for Garage Doors
• Considerations for Choosing the Right Garage Door Style
• Frequently Asked Questions for Choosing the Right Garage Doors
• Residential Garage Doors for Any Style at A Better Door Co., Inc

Different Garage Door Styles

With this garage door style guide, you can explore the various design choices for garages and find the style that best suits your exterior:

Traditional

Traditional-style garage doors provide a classic and timeless look that can suit many exteriors. They generally highlight old-world and colonial architecture and are often made of wood or steel. With steel, the finish may resemble wood to give it a more traditional appearance.

For traditional garage doors, you may see some of the following styles and design elements:

• Raised panels: Raised panels are the epitome of a traditional door. You often see details cut into the perimeter of each thick panel and beveled edges framing them to create a sophisticated look. Raised panels work exceptionally well in earthy or bold colors that highlight their design features.
• Symmetry: Traditional garage doors highlight symmetry for a simple, balanced aesthetic.
• Colors: Traditional garage doors work well in neutral and earthy colors like brown, beige, white, and shades of gray. Rich, dark shades like mahogany and black work well too. However, traditional garage doors may come in various colors to suit a home’s exterior.
• Decorative glass windows: Windows are not a staple feature of traditional garage doors but an optional design element that suits them well. When they have windows, they often include decorative glass or simple framing panels.

Modern

The design of modern garage doors showcases minimalism with simple, clean lines and streamlined designs. Compared to more traditional styles, modern doors don’t have many decorative features. They usually come in neutral or bold colors, ranging from white and gray to bold black and striking bronze. These garage doors come in various materials that work well for a modern look:

• Aluminum: Aluminum is excellent for creating a minimalistic, contemporary look.
• Steel: For a contemporary design that is sleek and eyecatching, steel is ideal.
• Glass: Using large glass panels creates a modern aesthetic that celebrates natural light and open spaces.
• Composite: Like traditional designs, modern garage doors showcase natural materials and earthy palettes. Composite materials can mimic some of the features of natural materials, like wood, while prioritizing clean and simple lines.

Many modern-style garage doors will also have features like quiet operation, customizable options and integrated technology for enhanced safety and convenience. However, most new doors can be integrated with smart technology, regardless of their style.

Contemporary Design

There is quite a bit of overlap between contemporary and modern design. However, contemporary design is far more fluid and flexible, as it highlights current trends. For garage door styles, this can translate to several designs. Contemporary doors may also have crisp, minimalistic lines and natural elements, but they can also incorporate features of Art Deco and global trends.

Contemporary garage door styles may include bright, popping colors like turquoise and yellow. They may also have glass and stainless steel elements, as well as ornate details and geometric patterns.

Rustic

Rustic designs emphasize some of the same features as traditional ones. Both emphasize simplicity but highlight it in different ways. Some of the features and design elements of rustic garage doors include the following:

• Natural materials like wood and metal or composite materials that mimic natural ones well.
• Materials left in a rough or raw state. Though the materials are finished for quality purposes, it highlights natural imperfections and the authenticity of the materials instead of covering them up.
• Color palettes that you would see in nature — including browns, sage and gray — and colors that are muted or have a weathered appearance.
• Handcrafted finishes.

Carriage House

A carriage house garage door is a design that specifically resembles the old traditional doors of garages for horse-drawn carriages. These garage doors have a larger-than-life charm that is evident in several key features:

• Swing-out or sectional doors: Older traditional carriage house garage doors would swing outward. While you may still find these designs, there are variations and modern versions, like sectional doors that roll up. These doors provide an old-world aesthetic while prioritizing convenience and space.
• Decorative features: To add to their captivating charm, carriage house doors often feature decorative elements like ornate wrought iron handles, hinges and clear or frosted windows.
• Wooden aesthetic: Most carriage house garage doors are made from wood or wood-like finish to suit the picture of an actual carriage house. Wooden carriage house garage doors are often stained to underscore the natural grain of the wood. If using paint, natural and neutral colors are ideal. Rich tones are also suitable, especially for accents and framing panels.
• Grand appearance: Carriage house doors are perfect if you want a strong, visual entrance. They are large and give your garage a substantial and captivating appearance.

Tudor

A Tudor-style house reflects medieval and Renaissance motifs from English and Welsh architecture. Tudor-style garage doors embody the style in several ways:

• Angular designs: Garage doors may have decorative gables or incorporate other angular designs to reflect the gabled roofs in Tudor architecture.
• Arches and detailed panels: Decorative paneling and grand arches are excellent ways to evoke the grandeur and charm of Tudor styles.
• Decorative elements: Wrought iron handles and hinges and mullioned windows add medieval charm that matches Tudor architecture.
• Wood or composite: Wood and composite materials are the best choices for showcasing the traditional craftsmanship characteristic of Tudor styles. The materials are often stained or painted in grand colors.
• Rich tones and natural finishes: Tudor-style doors are often painted in bold, regal colors like burgundy and dark greens, which complement the overall aesthetic.
• Grand proportions: Tudor-style houses typically have a robust, grand appearance and scale. Garage doors can reflect this by showcasing stature and a robust feel.

Ranch

Ranch-style garage doors complement ranch-style homes with wide profiles and functional features. Ranch-style garage doors will often have the following characteristics:

• Sectional operation and wide openings: Sectional doors roll upward, maximizing space and emphasizing the profile of ranch-style homes. Wide openings can also help achieve the same function.
• Plain paneling: Ranch-style doors may have flat or raised panels, clean lines and very little intricate detailing. Simple panels easily reflect the straightforward, functional and minimalistic design of many ranch homes.
• Sturdy materials: To embody a ranch’s robust nature, doors may be made from sturdy, practical materials like wood, steel and vinyl.
• Colors and accents: Ranch-style garage doors usually complement the rustic feel of ranch homes. Earthy tones and neutral colors enhance the balance between their simplicity and robustness.
• Grand windows: Ranch homes highlight open spaces, and grand windows reflect this in garage door design. Ranch-style garage door windows may be large and modern or have simple grid patterns.

Common Garage Door Materials

Common garage door materials play a vital role in both function and style. Here are three of the most common materials for garage doors:

• Steel: Steel doors are sturdy, low-maintenance and versatile in style. Steel doors are extremely well-suited to modern and contemporary styles. For a modern style, keep steel garage doors sleek and minimalist with large glass inserts. For a more contemporary style, highlight bold colors and textured finishes. Some steel doors are available in wood-like finishes for a natural look with less maintenance.
• Wood: Wood garage doors are popular and reliable. They are durable and timeless, adding warmth, beauty and charm to exteriors. Wood is ideal for traditional, rustic designs, carriage houses, Tudor and ranch aesthetics. Finishes can be sophisticated, simple, natural or bold. Similarly, accents can be clean and streamlined or ornate to match the design.
• Aluminum: Aluminum doors are adaptable and practical, allowing them to suit various styles, from traditional and farmhouse to Art Deco contemporary.

Important Functional Features for Garage Doors

Regardless of the style door you opt for, these vital, functional features are important to consider:

• Insulation and energy efficiency: Garage doors must be well-insulated to ensure a more energy-efficient home, as they are one of the largest entrances in a house’s structure. A well-insulated garage door will help seal your home from cold or hot air so your air conditioning works less hard and saves on energy costs. Both steel and wood garage doors can offer excellent insulation. You can also upgrade different styles of doors to enhance insulation and improve energy efficiency.
• Security and safety features: It is vital that your garage door is equipped with up-to-date security and safety features. Safety features ensure that the garage door will not cause damage to property or physical harm by opening and closing unexpectedly. Security features include integrated alarm systems that help guard your property.
• Smart technology: Various smart technology options can help make your garage more convenient, efficient, and secure. With integrated software like Wi-Fi garage door openers and apps, you can operate and monitor your door remotely.

Considerations for Choosing the Right Garage Door Style

Consider these easy-to-apply tips for choosing a garage door that will complete your home:

• Compatibility with the existing exterior: Part of your garage door’s value is that it can create cohesion, curb appeal and a streamlined exterior. To achieve this, ensure the design you choose integrates well with existing features.
• Functionality: Space requirements for your building and considerations for your vehicle sizes can factor into design choices.
• Budget: The more sizable, decorative and technological a garage door is, the more it will cost. There are options to suit different budgets, so you can find a style that meets your needs.
• Professional advice: It can be highly beneficial to contact a garage door expert to help you choose the best style for your home. A professional will understand which materials, operating styles, sizes and designs suit your exterior.

Frequently Asked Questions for Choosing the Right Garage Doors

Exploring the answers to the frequently asked questions can help you gain a better understanding of which garage door will suit your home best:

What Is a High-Lift Garage Door?

A high-lift garage door or vertical lift garage door is part of an overhead garage door system that lifts higher than standard doors. This additional height provides sufficient vertical clearance for vans, trucks and other high-clearance vehicles. This type of garage door design is compatible with sectional doors, tilt-up doors and rolling doors. These doors suit ranch-style homes particularly well.

How Are Garage Doors Measured?

Sizing and measuring are vital to choosing the right garage door for your exterior and your preferred aesthetic. While you can measure a garage door on your own, having a professional come out ensures greater precision. A professional will also be able to determine if other factors may affect sizing. An expert will measure the width and height of the garage door opening, side room, headroom, backroom and floor-to-header.

How Much Do Garage Doors Weigh?

Most residential garage doors weigh approximately 200 pounds. Design, size and materials all factor into how much the door may weigh.

How Wide Are Single-Panel Garage Doors?

Various standard sizes for single-panel garage doors are available, including 7, 8 and 9 feet wide. Each suits different properties, styles and garage sizes well.

Residential Garage Doors for Any Style at A Better Door Co., Inc

Understanding the different types of garage door styles and options can help you decide what will work best for your home. With the right garage style, you can enjoy a functional garage door while adding valuable curb appeal to your home.

If you’re unsure what style door would best suit your property, you can reach out to professional garage door specialists. A Better Door Co., Inc is a family-owned and operated business that installs and carries a range of garage doors for various residential preferences. Our residential garage doors include modern glass and aluminum, wood, and steel options. Feel free to browse our selection of garage doors now or contact us online to request an estimate.

Commercial vs. Residential Garage Doors

Commercial vs. Residential Garage Doors

All garage doors generally function similarly and have the same purpose — allowing vehicles, people and other equipment to move in and out of a garage or other large space. But there are a few notable distinctions between commercial and residential garage doors. The main difference lies in the name — residential garage doors are for homes, and commercial garage doors are for business or industrial purposes. Why do we need to have these specific types of garage doors, and what are the commercial and residential garage door differences? Read on to find out more about these types of garage doors, and discover which is better for you. 

Sizes of Garage Doors

One of the first differences you may notice between residential and commercial garage doors is their size. Generally, commercial garage doors are much bigger, to accommodate larger vehicles, but that depends on their intended use. Garage doors that need to fit large semitrucks or commercial machinery will need to be much larger than your typical residential garage door. 

The standard height is seven feet for residential garage doors, and most are between eight and nine feet wide. Larger and customized sizes are available for homeowners with RVs or other unique situations, but these are usually custom-made residential garage doors. Commercial doors could suit a larger application on a residential property, such as for an RV. However, before installing a larger door like this on your property, check in with your homeowners’ association — if applicable — to find out if there are any restrictions to garage door size for your area. 

Another size-related difference between these two types of doors is their weight. While all garage doors are relatively heavy, most residential garage doors weigh around 200 pounds, and commercial doors are much heavier. Garage doors made for commercial use generally consist of sturdier, weightier materials, with a finished commercial garage door often weighing 1,000 pounds or more. 

Materials Used for Garage Doors

Another main difference between commercial and residential garage doors is the materials used for the doors themselves. Residential garage doors can consist of a wide range of materials, including different woods and metals, depending on each homeowner’s budget, style and taste. Various materials provide distinctive looks, and can match other exterior elements’ style. Each of these materials may have different pros and cons — wooden doors may provide maximum visual appeal, while steel doors feature long-lasting durability. 

On the other hand, commercial garage doors have a much narrower field of commonly used materials. Because these doors usually go through much heavier-duty usage and should be durable, commercial garage doors often consist of industrial-strength metals like steel, aluminum or metal blends. These doors must stand up to the increased wear and tear of opening and closing many times a day, much more than a typical home garage door. These heavy-duty metal doors’ appearance matches the industrial look of many commercial buildings, and may look out of place in a residential setting. 

Garage Door Appearance

For residential garage doors, appearance is a much more significant factor than for commercial doors. A garage door is often a substantial part of the home’s curb appeal, especially if it’s part of an attached garage in front of the house. For this reason, many residential garage doors have added visual features such as windows, distinctive hardware, designs and colors. The wide range of color and design choices ensures homeowners can find a garage door that fits in with the home design’s overall aesthetic. Property owners often choose their garage door to match exterior features on the rest of the house for the most cohesive look. 

However, with commercial doors, appearance is often far less essential. While many commercial and industrial buildings still want a cohesive look, the right appearance for this type of structure will be a more streamlined, utilitarian door. Commercial garage doors tend to be modest in appearance, without the unique colors, designs and features you’d find on a residential garage door. They are often simple and have a roll-up or flat door style, with neutral colors like white, beige or gray. While the focus is more on commercial doors’ function, they can still be attractive, especially with a sleek, modern style. 

Difference in Value 

When comparing commercial vs. residential garage doors, one thing you may notice right away is a considerable difference in the costs involved. Commercial garage doors are generally much more expensive to purchase, install and repair. That’s because of the sturdier materials used for commercial garage doors, and the industrial quality that makes them durable and able to stand up to heavier use. Commercial doors must also meet a higher security standard, and are often custom-fit to a particular space and purpose, driving the costs up. They must have specially designed door openers that can hold these larger, sturdier doors’ extra weight and withstand more frequent usage. 

The higher price tag associated with commercial doors are a prevalent reason they’re not common in residential areas. These larger doors’ added costs generally make them unnecessary for use on a home garage. 

Shop Commercial and Residential Garage Doors

Commercial and residential garage doors have many differences, and familiarizing yourself with all these can help you make the best choice for your needs. Whatever type of garage door you need, you can find it at A Better Door. We are proud to be a Master Authorized Dealer of Clopay garage doors, and feature a wide range of styles for you to choose from. For home garages, shop our selection of residential garage doors and openers to find the best style that matches your home design. And for business use, shop our commercial garage doors for options that provide the extra strength and security your business needs. 

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