Advice from the experts: how to choose the right garage door for your home

Whether you are building new or renovating an existing property, garage door selection is an important stage in the design process. Often one of the first parts of the home you and your visitors interact with, a high-quality garage door is a great way to set the stage for the rest of the home. Plus, with additions like windows, insulation, and low-maintenance materials, the right garage door can make home life a breeze.

With over 30 years of experience supplying the New Zealand industry with premium garage doors, Prestige Garage Doors are experts on the subject. ArchiPro caught up with Prestige’s Gabi Broide to learn how to choose the right garage door for any project.

Consider the location and use

When choosing a garage door, the most important thing to consider is garage location and intended use, as this will guide every aspect of your decision-making.

“If your garage is under your house, or in an area with low light, you may want to consider a door with windows,” Gabi explains. “Garages that are used as home gyms or offices may benefit from windows too, so you could look into a full plexiglass door or adding windows to another garage door style.”

Location and use are also important when deciding whether to insulate the door, Gabi says.

“We recommend insulated doors for homes in loud or busy areas, homes where the garage space is intended to be used as a living area, or garages intended for activities that generate noise such as band practice or a workshop.”

Environmental factors and material selection

Your cladding selection will be impacted by environmental factors such as sun or sea spray exposure, as well as cohesion with other cladding materials on the home. If the garage gets all day sun, you may want to opt for a colour and material that doesn’t absorb too much heat, and if you’re close to the beach, selecting an appropriate powder coating is the best way to guarantee extra protection from the elements.

“Homeowners should also consider how much maintenance they are willing to undertake,” Gabi says. “Wooden doors offer a beautiful classic finish, however, they are high-maintenance and can deteriorate if not cared for in the right manner. If you prefer a low-maintenance door but still want the timber look, a faux timber finish may be a better option. Our Cedar and Cedar-look doors can be customised to suit your home and lifestyle; choose anything from a classic barn-style door to a modern flushmount door, the styles available in Cedar or Cedar-look are endless!”

Integrated designs

Your garage door options will vary depending on the stage of construction, as new builds or large renovations allow for styles like flushmount garage doors to be integrated with the façade, while older properties may have unique site specifications such as low-headroom, which needs to be accounted for.

“It is important to choose a garage door company well versed in unique site requirements that can confidently install within these specifications,” Gabi advises.

If your site is suitable for a flushmount garage door, this can be a stunning addition to your home. Almost invisible, this garage door seamlessly blends into the façade, creating a cohesive finish.

“Our flushmount doors are made so that their exterior finish matches that of the wall around it, finished in line with your wall so it looks like the wall itself.” 

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect garage door, contact Prestige Garage Doors today.

Learn more about Prestige Garage Doors.