Garage doors serve a functional purpose, but a good one will also dramatically improve your place’s curb appeal. Whether you’re after better security, enhanced energy efficiency, or a stylish update for your garage, there must be a garage door that serves your needs and more.
To get you a match, we have rounded up the 11 best garage door ideas right here in this guide. Let’s get started!
Contents
- 1 What is a Garage Door?
- 2 List of the 11 Best Garage Door Ideas
- 2.1 1. Roll-Up Garage Doors
- 2.2 2. Side-Hinged Garage Doors
- 2.3 3. Sliding Garage Doors
- 2.4 4. Sectional Garage Doors
- 2.5 5. Bi-folding Garage Doors
- 2.6 6. Tilt-Up Canopy Garage Doors
- 2.7 7. Carriage-Style Garage Doors
- 2.8 8. Glass Garage Doors
- 2.9 9. Smart Garage Doors
- 2.10 10. Fiberglass Garage Doors
- 2.11 11. Garage Doors with Windows
- 3 FAQ’s
- 4 Conclusion
What is a Garage Door?
A garage door is a big door that opens and closes to let vehicles in and out of a garage. It can be made from different materials like wood, metal, or glass, and look widely different depending on the style. Some open by rolling up, some swing open like a traditional door, and some fold up in sections.
Modern electric garage doors are also motorized and integrated with smart technology so you only press a button or give voice commands and the door will operate automatically. A functional yet aesthetic garage door is necessary to keep your garage safe and protected from rain, snow, or strangers while keeping your home/garages’ curb appeal.
List of the 11 Best Garage Door Ideas
This list of top garage door ideas, explains each with its functional advantages, distinct aesthetics, available materials, and the type of garage they’re most suitable for:
1. Roll-Up Garage Doors
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Commonly used in commercial settings for less aesthetic appeal, roll-up doors are becoming more popular in residential homes with limited ceiling space. They consist of narrow slats, typically high-grade steel or aluminum, that coil around a drum above the door opening, leaving very little internal or external footprint.
Roll-up garage doors are incredibly durable and need minimal maintenance, which makes them perfect for places with harsh climates or smaller garages.
2. Side-Hinged Garage Doors
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Side-hinged garage doors operate like traditional double doors, swinging open outward. This design does not require overhead or wall space, although it does need clearance outside. Typically made from wood, steel, or composite materials, side-hinged doors lend a vintage, cottage, or rustic charm to a home garage.
But they’re equally suitable for garages used as workshops or storage spaces, as they allow easy pedestrian access and are often manually operated.
3. Sliding Garage Doors
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Sliding garage doors slide horizontally upon a track—either inside or out—along the garage wall. The tracks can be customized for unique spaces, such as following a curved wall or folding into a horizontal drum. That flexibility makes sliding doors well-suited to homes with limited headroom or particularly challenging architectural designs, where a conventional door would not work.
Sliding doors are available in almost every type of door material, from aluminum and wood to fiberglass panels and even glass panes, so they can be easily tailored to meet the aesthetic and functional needs of your garage.
4. Sectional Garage Doors
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Sectional garage doors consist of multiple horizontal panels hinged together. When the door opens, the panels curve and slide up on a track, lying flat against the ceiling. These doors are typically constructed from metal or wood, with steel being popular for its strength, wood for a charming, classic appearance, and aluminum garage doors for their lightweight properties.
Sectional garage doors are robust, easy to operate, and highly space-efficient. And the wide range of customization options makes them suitable for nearly any style of garage, however, you’ll need some extra headroom inside to accommodate the rails.
5. Bi-folding Garage Doors
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As the name suggests, bi-fold doors consist of two horizontal panels hinged together, or four panels—two on each side—that open from the middle. There are small wheels underneath the panels, so when the door opens they fold into one another tidily to the side. They do particularly well on wider entrances or areas where you would want an almost seamless transition between inside and outside.
While folding designs can be made from most materials, wood remains the preferred material for its classic beauty. Many homeowners also install glass windows in the panels for more natural light and aesthetic value. However, the folding doors don’t offer a tight seal compared to other garage door ideas, resulting in drafts and, consequently, possible energy loss.
6. Tilt-Up Canopy Garage Doors
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Tilt-up canopy doors are a single, solid piece that tilts upward and outward when opened. When fully extended, part of the door protrudes beyond the garage, creating a small overhang or canopy. The design also offers a plethora of customization, including invisible garage door styles.
This design typically requires an automated mechanism for ease of use, as manual operation can be challenging. This brings tilt-up canopy garage doors at a slight price premium compared to other options.
7. Carriage-Style Garage Doors
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Carriage-style garage doors blend the timeless charm of old coach houses with the convenience of modern automation. While maintaining their classic look, they are now available in sectional or panel designs for easier operation.
These doors come in metal or composite materials, but wood remains the most popular choice, offering perfect aesthetics with Colonial, Victorian, or Craftsman-style home architecture.
8. Glass Garage Doors
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These types of doors have large glass panels framed in aluminum, steel, or wood. Full-view glass doors allow a lot of natural light to flood into your garage, turning the place sunny and open rather than dark and overlooked. Overall they give a very chic, luxurious look.
Glass garage doors are ideal for temperate climates, as they provide minimal insulation, and work best in situations where security isn’t a major concern, such as indoor garage entrances.
9. Smart Garage Doors
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With smart technology, nearly every type of garage door can now be remotely operated through smartphones or voice commands. Features like sensors, cameras, and timers also add an extra layer of security, convenience, and energy efficiency.
However, you’ll need a few add-ons for optimal performance of smart garage doors, such as a battery backup in case of power failure and basic knowledge of how to deal with smart technology safely.
10. Fiberglass Garage Doors
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Fiberglass is basically reinforced plastic providing a lightweight, low-maintenance substitute for traditional wood and metal. Reinforced with a steel frame, fiberglass doors offer the same durability and security as other materials. Plus, they come in so many different beautiful floral prints and a wide range of colors for a bit of chic fun in your garage.
These doors do well in coastal or other moist climates and work for both modern and traditional garages as they can be made into virtually any kind of design. However, if your garage gets the direct summer sun and high temperatures, fiberglass might not be the best option for you.
11. Garage Doors with Windows
Source: Pinterest
A popular modern trend, garage doors with windows add both brightness and curb appeal. They’re being made in wood, steel, aluminum, or fiberglass, featuring window inserts of glass or durable acrylic. Frosted or tinted glass is usually preferred for better privacy without losing a little panache.
While window inserts may reduce some insulation and security slightly, these issues can be balanced with the proper complementary insulation and reinforced material.
FAQ’s
Q: What can I use instead of a garage door?
A: Roll-up metal screen and single panel tilt-up canopy are lightweight yet functional alternatives to traditional garage doors. You can easily manually operate them or add an automatic mechanism if you desire, later on. Another option is adding a fabric screen instead of a door if security isn’t an issue for you.
Q: How can I make my garage door more appealing?
A: To add character in your mundane garage door, install ornamental hardware, like handles, hinges, or LED lighting. You can also insert windows in the panes, for letting natural light into your garage. For more aesthetic appeal, consider repainting it in a better color, landscaping around the door, and adding a pergola outside.
Q: What is the cheapest garage door option?
A: If you are on a tight budget, steel or aluminum doors are usually your cheapest option. A basic, non-insulated side hinged door is often going to be your cheapest, durability at a discount. Roll-up doors, commonly used in industrial applications, are also a real bargain if you can settle for a simple design.
Q: How much should you spend on a garage door?
A: Basic single garage doors made of steel or fiberglass, typically cost between $600 and $1,500. Mid-range options in composite or aluminum add some features, like insulation, and can raise the price from $1,500 to $3,000. High-end custom doors can range from $3,000 to over $10,000, depending on how many bells and whistles you want.
Conclusion
Whether it’s security you prioritize, need energy efficiency, or want better aesthetics, choosing the right garage door can give it value and enhance the curb appeal of your property. With so many garage door ideas discussed in this guide, you’ll definitely find the one that best caters to your home. For further information check our guide for roll up garage door sizes.
If you want more help, our experts at Mannlee are here to assist you select your dream garage door from our wide collection of styles and materials.
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