How to judge the quality of a garage door

Here's a breakdown of what to look for in high-quality garage doors so you can rest assured you're making the right choice for your next purchase.

Even if a garage door has a beautiful exterior, it's what's on the inside that counts. Not all garage doors are made of the same materials and to the same standards, and many of the working components of a garage door are not easily seen.

Since garage doors are subjected to harsh weather conditions and continuous use, it's critical to ensure you're purchasing a garage door that will be a good investment in the long run, not just one that looks great from the outside.

From the quality of finishes to the longevity of its working components like springs and hinges, it's important to assess the overall quality of a garage door by delving a little deeper. Purchasing a garage door without inspecting its quality puts you at risk of having to buy a replacement sooner than you should or shelling out for costly repairs.

Materials

The durability of steel garage doors makes them a popular choice for homeowners. But not all steel is of equal strength. Windsor Doors uses New Zealand Steel in our garage doors because it's a superior product that meets the country's stringent engineering standards.

From coils to hinges and finishes, using this premium product ensures our garage doors work well on the inside and still look great on the outside.

The highest-quality steel garage doors should have a baked-on finish, making them more durable and weather-resistant. This is why Windsor Doors uses Colorsteel®, which is owned and made by New Zealand Steel, across our range of garage doors. It comprises a steel substrate with aluminium zinc metallic alloy coating and Activate™ Technology to resist rust.

If you're looking for a lighter garage door, aluminium is a great choice. Windsor Doors has a large range of options, including Aluminium Composite and Aluminium Slat Roller Doors, that are particularly suitable for extreme coastal environments.

Insulation

There's nothing worse than getting into a hot car. But garage door panels with insulation do more than just keep your car cool, they improve the energy efficiency of your entire home. Look for garage door insulation with a high R-value to help you lower energy costs for your whole house.

Having insulation installed on your garage door also helps reduce noise, which is particularly handy if you live on a busy street.

Windsor Doors uses only New Zealand-made Mammoth^TM Insulation on our garage doors because it's a premium insulation product that's backed by a 50-year manufacturer's warranty. Combined with the Fingersafe technology of our Sectional Doors that ensures a tight seal between panels and durable weather seals to ensure no gaps where air, pests and debris can enter your garage, your home is more comfortable with a Windsor Door.

Durability and construction

One way to ensure you're purchasing a high-quality product that will last for many years is to purchase from a reputable brand. While you might be able to save a few dollars with a cheap overseas-made garage door, you shouldn't expect a product made of inferior materials to last as long as a locally made, high-quality garage door.

From the metal through to the hardware, Windsor Doors uses premium quality materials in our doors so they suit NZ conditions. For example, our Sectional Garage Doors are as strong as they come because they are fitted with a heavy-duty bottom rail and strong hinges made of steel so that your door runs as smoothly as possible.

Style and aesthetic appeal

A garage door takes up a large part of the exterior of your property, so a stylish and well-designed door can add a lot of value to your home. From wood-look garage doors through to modern, Flush Mount options, garage doors are available in a huge variety of designs. However, how it's designed can also determine how well it functions. Good insulation, the convenience of smart technology and customisable garage doors to suit unique or modern homes are three prime examples.

At Windsor Doors, we pride ourselves on enhancing the look of your home with aesthetically pleasing doors that reflect the rugged landscape and architectural trends of our homeland. Fusing style, craftsmanship and quality materials sets us apart from other garage door makers.

Some key topics to research before choosing a garage door supplier include:

• What do other homeowners have to say about the functionality and longevity of their doors in online reviews?
• Ask about the warranty and what it covers. For example, does it cover things like windows, the door opener or hardware?
• What is the garage door and its components/hardware made of and where are these materials from?
• Enquire about lead times and the installation process. How long will it take to manufacture the garage door and who takes care of the installation?
• Is your garage door being custom-made for your space?
• Is there support for customers should the door require repairs?

At Windsor Doors, we custom-make each garage door to guarantee it fits your space perfectly. We manufacture in NZ using local materials to ensure a high-quality door that will stand the test of time. Contact us today for a free measure and quote.