Common Problems With Garages Underneath a House

Garages Underneath Houses

There are many factors to consider when you are building or buying a home. The garage is one important feature that many homeowners tend to overlook. 

To save space, some homes feature a basement garage rather than a typical ground-level style. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of houses with basement garages?

What Is a Basement Garage?

A basement garage or tuck under garage is exactly what it sounds like: a garage that is fully or partially under the upper level of a house. Basement garages are common in houses situated on hills as well as in areas where plots of land are generally smaller and space needs to be used efficiently.

Garage Under the House: 3 Problems You’ll Run Into

Before you commit to plans for a garage under a house, you should consider some of the disadvantages: 

1. Hearing the Garage Door Open and Close

When a basement garage door is opened and closed, the sound can usually be heard in the room above the garage. If the room is a dining room or kitchen, this might not bother you — but a house with a bedroom above the garage wouldn’t be ideal, especially if someone in the house frequently has to leave early in the morning or late at night.

2. Carrying Groceries Up the Stairs

For many homeowners, carrying groceries up the stairs is the most significant inconvenience of a house with a garage in the basement. While some appreciate the extra exercise, it can be a bit of a hassle if you need to make frequent trips in and out of the house.

3. The Room Above the Garage May Be Colder in the Winter

If the garage is not insulated correctly, the upper room in your home may be noticeably colder in autumn and winter. This can result in higher utility bills as well. An insulated garage door can help to alleviate this issue.

4. Resale Value May Be Lower

For these reasons, the resale value of a house with a tuck under garage may not be as high as it would be otherwise. Even if you don’t mind the idea of a basement garage, you may want to consider how it will affect your return on investment if you eventually sell the home.

2 Benefits of Basement Garages

However, a basement garage is not without its advantages. Here are a few benefits of a basement or tuck under garage:

1. They’re Aesthetically Pleasing

A ground-level garage isn’t ideal for some styles of homes. A tuck under garage is less likely to pull focus from the architecture of the rest of your home.

2. They Don’t Take Up Much Square Footage

If your home is on a property without much square footage to spare, a basement garage is a great solution for storage that doesn’t take up too much space.

Upgrade Your Home With Continental Door

If you have plans to put a finished garage under your house, contact Continental Door for high-quality, professional garage door services and expertise. We offer premium Clopay® insulated garage doors and advanced opening systems that can help mitigate the noise and heating and cooling issues of a tuck under garage design. Our products are also designed to complement any house for a boost in curb appeal and market value. 

Give us a call at 509.921.2260 or visit us in Spokane Valley to learn more. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, request a free estimate or schedule service today!

3 Signs You Need to Replace Your Dock Leveler

Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Loading Dock Leveler

When your business operates out of a loading dock, you know just how important it is to perform regular loading dock maintenance. Doing so is an investment in safety for your most valuable asset — your personnel.

But how do you know when it is time for dock leveler repair or replacement? 

What Is a Dock Leveler Used For? 

Levelers are used in buildings with truck-level doors. In terms of safety, a dock leveler is one of the most essential parts of a loading dock. 

A dock leveler is a height-adjustable platform generally made from a large metal plate. The dock leveler bridges the gap between the loading dock and the truck. It can be raised or lowered depending on the height of the truck’s bed.

While a dock leveler is a sturdy piece of equipment, it can be worn down over time when subject to heavy forklift traffic. Dock leveler repair can help, but replacement is necessary from time to time.

Reasons for Dock Leveler Replacement 

The following signs indicate that it may be time to replace a dock leveler:

1. The Components are Warped

The weight and stress of constant forklift traffic can warp elements of a dock leveler over time. If the dock leveler is visibly warped, repairs will probably not be effective — it is most likely time for a replacement.

2. You Want to Upgrade the Door or Bay

There may be a number of reasons to upgrade the door or bay of a loading dock. Maybe the components are damaged or outdated, resulting in a decrease in efficiency. If this is the case, the dock leveler is one of the parts of a loading dock that should probably be replaced.

3. The Leveler Is Outdated, Unsafe or Fails to Meet Leveler Requirements

A dock leveler can be outdated or unsafe for numerous reasons. Even with regular loading dock maintenance and dock leveler repair, this device can wear down over time like any other equipment. An unsafe dock leveler can result in damage to forklifts and cargo as well as serious injuries to personnel. Replacement of an unsafe dock leveler protects your business’s most valuable assets.

When to Upgrade a Dock Leveler

The reasons for dock leveler repair and replacement come down to two main factors: safety and efficiency. Ideally, you’ll upgrade the dock leveler before any safety concerns arise.

Monitoring efficiency can be a useful way to determine when it is time for an upgrade. When a dock leveler is outdated or unsafe, operators require more hands-on time with equipment to ensure safety. Over time, this results in more downtime and a decrease in production.

If you notice that production is gradually getting lower, it may be time to upgrade the dock leveler.

How Often Should a Dock Leveler Be Serviced? 

The type of leveler used in your loading dock can impact the amount of service it requires. Some designs just aren’t built to last as long as others.

Mechanical levelers generally last five to seven years, while hydraulic levelers might last 10 years.

Yearly service is the best way to ensure that a dock leveler is in proper working order.

Contact Continental Door Today

The leveler is one of the most essential parts of a loading dock, so dock leveler repairs and replacements are important investments in the future of your business’s operations. If your leveler is warped, worn or part of an outdated bay, trust Continental Door to perform the expert repair or replacement you need to keep your business moving.

Contact Continental Door for high-quality and professional services and expertise. We are proud to serve homeowners and businesses in the Greater Spokane area. Request an estimate or service today.

What Should You Be Looking for in a Commercial Garage Door?

What Should You Be Looking for in a Commercial Garage Door?

When it comes to residential garage doors, you probably have a pretty good idea of what you should be looking for. For commercial garage doors, however, it can be a different story. There are some areas where it’s okay to cut corners on a residential door that aren’t necessarily good ideas to skimp on when it comes to commercial doors, and vice versa. What are some of the things you should be looking for when shopping for a commercial garage door? Here are four of them.

View Commercial Garage Doors

Material

You want your commercial garage door to be made of metal, usually steel or aluminum. Natural wood can be great for a residential garage door, as it can create a very aesthetically pleasing look and feel. With a commercial door, though, you want to be a little more practical. Wood doors are vulnerable to cracking and splintering, not to mention rot if exposed to the elements or too much moisture. They require much more maintenance and care, which can be worth it in a residential environment but not something you want to be worrying about when it comes to a commercial enterprise.

Insulation

When it comes to residential doors, you’ll often have a choice between an insulated and a non-insulated door. You may feel that for your home, the energy savings is not worth the extra expense of insulation. While this is debatable, you should never skimp on insulation for your commercial door. You have valuable inventory to protect from the elements. Additionally, insulation will also make the door quieter and often more durable thanks to the added insulation material inside the door.

Heavy-Duty Torsion Springs

Your torsion springs are designed with a limited life. Most residential springs are built to last about 10,000 cycles, or openings and closings before they wear down or break. That’s usually fine for the average family, but your commercial garage door may be opening and closing a lot more. If that’s the case, you should look for torsion springs that can withstand up to 25,000 – 50,000 cycles. In some cases, you may have as much as hundreds of thousands of cycles, in which you may benefit from a high-speed, high-cycle door.

Windows

This one will vary from business to business, but you will want to think about whether or not you want people to be able to see into your facility and how much natural light you want to let in. If you want a lot of light and visibility, consider a full-view commercial door. Windows will also allow you to see your customers as they arrive at your facility.

For more information on commercial door features and help finding the right commercial door for your business in the greater Spokane, WA or Northern Idaho areas, contact Continental Door Co. today.

Request More Information About Commercial Garage Doors

Keeping Your Employees Safe from Your Commercial Garage Door

Keeping Your Employees Safe from Your Commercial Garage Door

Your commercial garage door is designed with safety features. The fact is, however, that in some commercial environments, many employees may be walking or driving back and forth under your garage door every day.

Whether that garage door remains open most of the time or it is repeatedly going up and down throughout the day, it is important to take the proper safety precautions to protect your employees from an unforeseen accident. What is the best way to keep your employees safe when it comes to your commercial garage door?

View Commercial Safety Products

Make Sure You Have a Modern Door

The newer your commercial garage door is, the more likely it is to have state-of-the-art safety features. Have you checked to see if your current door has safety devices in place? If not, you should consider adding the safety mechanisms or replacing with an updated version of your door. 

Make Sure Your Door Is Installed and Repaired by Professionals

When you are bringing in a new door, don’t try to install it with your own team. Let experienced professionals handle the job. It keeps your employees safe from injury during installation and makes it more likely the door will be installed correctly — meaning a dangerous accident is less likely. Similarly, don’t cut corners when it comes to repair. Make sure your repair is performed by experts with years of experience who know what they are doing and ensure that they are using OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. 

Schedule Regular Maintenance

If one of your springs is about to give out, there’s a good chance there will be no way for you to know about it until it snaps, which can put your employees in danger. Annual or semi-annual maintenance by professionals can help you to identify a potential problem and fix it before it becomes a hazard.

Training

Make sure any employees who will come in contact with the garage door or pass underneath it have a full understanding of how it works and how to operate it. An hour of training could save multiple lives.

Call for Repairs Immediately

If your garage door is not working properly, do not wait until the end of the day or the end of the week to deal with it. Call for repairs right away and find a workaround until the professionals come to fix it.

If you need commercial garage door repair, installation or maintenance in the Spokane, WA area or Northern Idaho, call Continental Door Company. We have the experienced garage door professionals who know how to make sure your door is as safe as possible. Contact us to request service or to receive a quote on a new commercial garage door now.

Request More Information About Commercial Safety Products

What Parts of My Garage Door Need Replacing?

What Parts of My Garage Door Need Replacing?

We hope your garage door will last you a long, long time. But even if it lasts for many years, you’re probably going to have to replace some parts along the way. That’s just the way machines are designed. They have moving parts that wear out, and your garage door system is no different.

What Parts Can You Expect to Repair Over the Life of Your Door?

Here are four of the components you will likely need to replace at some point during your garage door’s lifespan:

Springs

This one is almost guaranteed. Your torsion springs or extension springs are the coiled bits of metal that actually do most of the work when you are opening or closing the door. Most standard springs are designed to last about 10,000 cycles, or openings and closings. For most people, this means about eight years before they are totally shot, but depending on how often you use your door and how much stress you put on it, it could be a bit sooner or later than this.

Hinges

If you enjoy the convenience of a modern door that rolls up into the roof of the garage rather than swinging straight up and then going back, you can thank your hinges. But rolling the door up and down on those hinges takes its toll, and you’ll probably have to swap them out sooner or later.

Garage Door Openers

If you buy a new, high-quality garage door opener, it will probably last you a long time. But garage door openers are pretty intricate machines, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong, especially if you have an older model. If your door is not opening or closing properly, particularly if you are able to open and close it without much difficulty manually, there’s a good chance it’s time to have your garage door opener looked at. You may also want to replace your garage door opener to take advantage of the security and convenience features that are standard with new opener models.

View Garage Door Openers

The Whole Door

If you’ve had your garage door for 10 years or more, it may be time to swap out the whole system. Frequent repairs, especially ones that are adding up to greater than the cost of a new door, are a definite sign that it’s time to start fresh. Your door may simply look or feel old, worn out or out of style. A new garage door can really improve the curb appeal of your home and is one of the best home improvements with respect to return on investment, so if it’s time, don’t be afraid to get a new one in there.

Whether you need a new door, replacement parts or a garage door opener upgrade, if you’re in the Spokane, WA or Northern Idaho region, just contact Continental Door Company, and we’ll take care of you.

Request Garage Door Repair or Service

How Do I Maintain a Commercial Garage Door?

How Do I Maintain a Commercial Garage Door?

If you run a business that involves any kind of machines, you know that anything with moving parts requires regular maintenance if it is going to continue to work properly. Commercial garage doors are no exception. If a commercial garage door fails before its time, there’s a great chance that poor maintenance was somehow involved.

If you schedule annual maintenance for your commercial garage door, that’s a great first step. But that may not be enough to make sure you minimize the chance of malfunction or a costly repair and to maximize the life of your commercial garage door. So, what are some of the ways you can make sure your commercial garage door is getting the care it needs?

Check the Insulation and Weather Seals

While damage to the weather seals or insulation won’t necessarily shorten the life of your commercial garage door, it will definitely reduce its effectiveness. Any damage to the weather seals or insulation means your door is not properly insulated and protected against the elements. This means your inventory or whatever is on the other side of your door is vulnerable to water damage or temperature damage, not to mention that you are probably losing money on energy bills due to the extra heating or cooling required. It’s a simple matter to do a once over every couple of weeks to make sure the weather seals and insulation are still firmly in place.

Pay Attention to the Door’s Behavior

Is the door opening and closing smoothly? Is it making more noise than it used to? Train yourself and your workers to listen to what your commercial garage door is telling you. If your door appears to be struggling to do its job in any way, there’s a good chance that a broken spring, worn-out roller, frayed cable or the like is the culprit. Your door may be continuing to work, but the added stress could add up to a big repair soon.

Lubricate Everything You Can

Machines break down because parts wear out, and most of the time, parts wear out because of friction. That’s why it’s so important to regularly lubricate all the moving parts you can reach on a regular basis. It doesn’t take long, and it can save you a lot of problems with your door.

Check All Safety Devices Regularly

Commercial doors can be very big, heavy and dangerous. Most maintenance should be done by a professional to ensure everything is completed properly and safely. A professional garage door service technician can also set you up on a preventative maintenance schedule to catch any problems before they become nightmares. 

If you’re in the Spokane, WA or Northern Idaho areas and you spot an issue that may need addressing, or if it’s time for your annual maintenance checkup, just contact the experts at Continental Door Company, and we’ll be right over to help.

Schedule Commercial Garage Door Maintenance

Should You Add a Second Garage or Shop to Your Home?

Should You Add a Second Garage or Shop to Your Home?

Years ago, the idea of having a home with two garages seemed far fetched. But times change, and with it so do your needs. If you find yourself looking for your next home improvement project, a new garage just might be it. Here are a few interesting reasons for a second garage to consider.

Attached Garage

Is your current garage attached to your home? If it’s not, you might have a safety concern. In some neighborhoods, parking your car and then having to leave the garage to enter your home is an invitation to potential malicious actors. Especially if you have multiple family members who drive or are out late at night, you may want to invest in an attached garage that allows everyone to drive right into the garage and walk straight into the house.

Extra Cars

Perhaps when you bought your home, you had only one car, or maybe two. Now, years down the road, perhaps you have a child or two getting their first car, or maybe you added an SUV to the mix. Whatever the reason, you may suddenly be finding yourself with more cars than you have garage space. Any car left out on the street could be a tempting target for thieves, and exposure to the elements could damage your car or cause it to lose its value faster than it should. If a second garage can protect all your cars, it can be a very worthwhile investment.

View Residential Garage Doors

Extra Space

Maybe you only have two cars, but you still don’t have enough room in the garage for both of them. You wouldn’t be the first family to suddenly discover that there are more tools, boxes, yard equipment and other items than cars. Adding a second garage can expand the amount of storage space you are already enjoying while making sure your cars are protected as well.

Additional Home Value

A new garage door could add considerable value to your home. After all, you are adding more house, which could be a big selling point if you ever decide it’s time to move on.

A New Workspace

Many people like to use their garage as a workspace. It’s a large area shielded from both the house and the neighborhood where you can work on projects in peace without disturbing others. If your current garage serves this function, why not add a garage so you don’t have to share your workspace with family members driving their cars in and out all the time? Additional space could also double as a “man cave” or a place for a home gym if desired!

Additional Shop

If you have an RV, motorcycle, snowmobile, tractors or other machinery, you most likely want to keep this equipment in a secure place to protect your investment. 

Do you need another garage? For advice on starting with a second garage or help finding the perfect garage door for your new garage in Northern Idaho or the greater Spokane, WA area contact Continental Door Co. now.

Request More Information About Residential Garage Doors

How to Dewinterize Your Garage Door and Prepare It for Spring

How to Dewinterize Your Garage Door & Prepare It for Spring

What does it mean to dewinterize your door, and how do you do it? When we talk about dewinterizing a garage door, we simply mean preparing your garage door for the warmer weather.

During the winter months, you probably have not been inspired to do maintenance on your garage door. Freezing temperatures and ice are not an inviting climate to be outside working with the machinery of your garage door system. Even the idea of calling for professional maintenance in the winter may not be appealing, as you may be concerned about costs and the inconvenience of having your garage door open while it’s being worked on, letting all the cold air into your home. When spring comes, however, it is another matter entirely.

How Changing Seasons Can Impact Garage Doors

Extreme temperatures can be hard on a garage door. Parts that were already on the worn side can become even more distressed and require replacement more quickly. Ice and moisture may build up in and around the door, causing various functionality and potential repair issues. General debris can also collect around the door and need to be removed for the door to function properly. A new season may provide your earliest opportunity to safely and comfortably deal with a lot of these issues.

How to Prepare a Garage Door for Spring and Summer – Tips for Dewinterizing Your Garage Door

Dewinterizing your door entails assessing the condition of your door as soon as it gets warm enough, going through a simple maintenance checklist to make sure you will enjoy optimal garage door use all throughout the spring and summer months. Dewinterization maintenance steps can include the following:

• Clean your door: While this is not a fun task, it is the easiest way to get rid of some of the potential problems from winter that could plague your door. Wash the door, interior side and exterior side. Sweep up any debris under the door and make sure no dust is on the photo eye sensors. Check the tracks and the rollers that the system uses to guide the door up and down in your garage and make sure there is no debris there that could block the door as it goes up or down.

• Preserve and protect your door: If you have a wooden door, check for rot and consider adding another coat of paint and/or water sealant to seal out moisture and prevent future rotting. If you have a steel door, you’ll also want to check for rust.

• Check the weatherstripping: Make sure the weatherstripping is intact and replace any damaged weatherstripping. This will be important to seal in cool air on hot summer days when your air conditioner is running.

• Lubricate the door: Spring maintenance is a great time to make sure to fully lubricate your garage door. Your garage door system is a mechanical system with moving parts, and like any system with moving parts, it needs proper lubrication. Be sure to add lubrication to all moving parts and areas of friction from rollers and tracks to hinges. Use specially formulated garage door lubricant, not oil, as oil may collect dust and debris that could be bad for your door.

• Check bolts, springs and cables: The end of a long winter is also a good opportunity to check for worn-out parts. Your old springs and cables may have hung in for the winter, but they could be on their last legs. If you discover a part that appears to be worn out, contact Continental Door for immediate replacement. Trying to operate a garage door with worn-out parts could be dangerous and put stress on the rest of your door. If you make an effort to keep your springs and hinges rust-free, they will last longer.

The Importance of Preventative Maintenance and Annual Tune-Ups

Professional scheduled spring maintenance for garage doors is one easy way to make sure your garage door is ready for the season. When you call Continental Door for maintenance, we will perform all the steps above and more, making sure your door is in the best possible condition to get you through to the upcoming seasons.

While you should perform basic maintenance on your door between visits to maximize your door’s life, scheduling an annual tune-up or semi-annual tune up with the professionals at Continental Door can help ensure you get the most out of your door. We can clean and lubricate your door safely and accurately and will immediately notice if any of your parts are worn out enough to require replacement.

This can help you in two very important ways. One, it will increase the life of your door by putting less strain on your system, and two, it can help you prevent more costly repairs. If your garage door springs snap suddenly while you’re using your garage door, it could cause a sudden drop in the heavy door, which could damage the door or anyone or anything underneath it. If we see a problem with one of your garage door springs, we can replace both springs with durable new ones, so you can be confident in the safety and performance of your door.

While a quality garage door should last you a long time, depending upon how often you use it, taking the time to help your door recover from the effects of the elements can really be worth the time and effort.

Contact Continental Door Company for Reliable Garage Door Maintenance and Service in Greater Spokane, WA, and Northern Idaho

We would love to tell you more about our spring maintenance and annual tune-up plans, as well as how we can help you save money by taking care of your door before expensive repairs are necessary. We perform garage door maintenance for homes and businesses in the greater Spokane area and northern Idaho on a regular basis and are happy to put some of our expert technicians to work for you.

For a free estimate on garage door maintenance or to request service, contact us online or call us at 509-921-2260 today.

Request a Tune-Up for Your Garage Door

Hydraulic Bi-Folding Door Installation for PF Chang’s

Hydraulic Bi-Folding Door Installation for PF Chang’s

The team of innovative and experienced professionals at Continental Door enjoys providing personalized garage door installation services for all our customers, and we strive to always provide quality products, exceptional services and customized solutions. Our team is excited by a recent garage door installation project we completed featuring the new, sophisticated and modern Crown Hydraulic Bi-Fold Door. In the heart of Spokane’s bustling downtown area near the River Park Square Mall, our team installed three hydraulic bi-fold doors at PF Chang’s.

PF Chang’s Hydraulic Bi-Fold Door Installation and Project Specifics

Beginning in April 2018, we worked with the team at PF Chang’s to design and install three exceptional garage doors — the Crown Hydraulic Bi-Fold Door — to the front and side of the building’s facade. It provided a modern look and feel to the space, with a durable, streamlined steel-frame design featuring wide, visually pleasing windows. Not only does this hydraulic bi-fold door allow for large expanses of natural lighting to flood the indoor dining room, but its advanced vertical opening mechanism is also safe and quiet. It allows for the doors to be opened on a pleasant day — creating a comfortable and unforgettable indoor and outdoor dining experience for guests.

For these three bi-parting hydraulic operated doors — one in a larger customized size and two smaller doors — precise installation techniques and specific measurements had to be executed to ensure a quality, efficient installation. Our team of three installation experts worked with exceptional control and attention to detail to complete this installation in just one week.

This project was not without its unique challenges. Not only did we perform complicated installations within the busy downtown area, but we also experienced a potential shipping delay. At Continental Door, we always strive to complete our jobs within their determined completion date. For this project, the shipping company missed its deadline, so our dedicated team drove round-trip over 50 hours to Minneapolis to collect the doors and return to guarantee the garage door installation was completed on time.

Learn More About Hydraulic Bi-Folding Doors

Steps to Ensure a Pristine Installation

For our PF Chang’s hydraulic bi-fold door installation project — as well as all our projects — we addressed the property with a specialized and individualized approach. This ensures top-quality results that adhere to the property’s needs, long-term expectations and overall aesthetic. To ensure proper installation, we carefully follow these steps:

• Premeasure the intended space and identify potential clearance hurdles
• Deliver garage door to the installation site, taking care not to damage the heavy steel frame and delicate powder coating
• Hang the door and weld the top frame to the header structure
• Install the guide track at the side of the door jambs
• Install garage door’s hydraulic arms and lines
• Place the glass trim and door frames
• Install the glass panels and seal the space around the windows
• Install seal at jambs and place the bottom door panel
• Commission the doors after an electrician has connected them to a power source
• Thoroughly clean the product, present the final product to the owner and perform a garage door operations training session

**All photos shown on this page were taken after Continental Door installed a Crown Hydraulic Bi-Folding door at the PF Chang’s in Spokane, WA.

Install Crown Hydraulic Bi-Folding Doors for Your Business

With the modern aesthetic, superior convenience features and exceptional, smooth performance characteristics, the Crown Hydraulic Bi-Fold Door is perfect for any type of commercial property. At Continental Door, we’ve worked with a wide variety of different industries and would be happy to help you design and install a new vertical-opening hydraulic bi-fold door. These garage doors are perfect for any application, including:

• Restaurants
• Retail locations
• Hospitality venues, convention locations and event centers
• Auto-body locations and showrooms
• Fire stations and municipal buildings

Contact Continental Door Today to Request a Free Installation Estimate

When you need quality garage door installation services for your business, trust the creative and knowledgeable professionals at Continental Door. Since 2001, we’ve been the most reliable and expert garage door specialists throughout the Spokane, Washington, area. We work closely with all our commercial customers to find quality garage door solutions that fit your daily needs and enhance your surroundings.

To learn more about our Crown Hydraulic Bi-Fold Doors or to request a free installation estimate, fill out our online form or call us at 509.921.2260 to speak to a team member.

Request More Information About Bi-Folding Doors

PF Changs 4-11-12 site visit (4)

Image 1 of 9

Different Types of Garage Doors

If it’s properly maintained, the average lifespan of a garage door is about 30 years. That’s 30 years of being the first thing people notice when they drive up to your house. That’s 30 years of looking at the same door every time you come home at the end of a long day. That’s 30 years of wear and tear, dings and dents and exposure to sun, rain and snow.

Let’s be honest. In most cases, the garage door has a significant impact on a home’s overall curb appeal. And, over time, even the most beautiful garage door will be subject to wear and tear.

Thirty years quickly adds up.

One day, you realize your garage door is bringing down the look of your home. Perhaps it’s a dent that suddenly grew bigger. Maybe it’s a paint color that’s grown faded and dingy over the years. Or, possibly it’s not compatible with the other updates you’ve done to the exterior of your home.

Whatever the case, suddenly, you find yourself in need of a new garage door. It can be tempting to throw up the cheapest, most basic option on the market, but before you do, consider this: A garage door has been shown to result in an 87 percent return on investment when selling a house. That’s one of the highest returns of any home improvement project you can do. Taking time to carefully select a beautiful and functional garage door will keep you happy while you’re living in your home, and, with an ROI like that, is sure to make you happy if you move away, too!

The problem is, if you’re like most homeowners, you don’t have a lot of experience choosing a new garage door. There are a wide variety of options, and determining what’s best for you can quickly become overwhelming. But, it doesn’t have to be. You need to do your homework. Before you choose a door, ask yourself a few questions:

1. How often do I use my garage door?
2. Do I back my vehicles in and out of my garage daily?
3. Does my door face the street?
4. What’s my budget?
5. What kind of look do I want for the exterior of my house?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be able to evaluate the designs and materials that are on the market to make a wise, informed decision that will leave you smiling over your choice for the next 30 years.

Table of Contents

Types of Garage Door Materials

• Wood
• Vinyl
• Steel
• Aluminum

Garage Door Styles

• Contemporary
• Carriage House
• Traditional

Garage Door Types

Garage Door Windows

Types of Garage Door Materials

Garage doors are available in several different types of materials. Which you select should depend on how you will use your garage door, how each of the elements looks and, of course, your budget.

1. Wood

Traditional garage doors made of wood are consistently popular because they provide a classic, elegant look to any home. While the “wood look” is beautiful, one of the most tantalizing features of wood doors is that they are easy to customize with paint or stain. Depending on the color you choose, it may be hard to tell you have a wood door at all.

Pros of Wood Garage Doors:

• Provide a classic, elegant look to a variety of homes, especially ones built in colonial or Victorian styles.
• Available in a variety of styles and shades.
• Over time, you can customize them with wood stain or paint to coordinate with your home’s exterior.

Cons of Wood Garage Doors:

• Require regular maintenance to keep them looking nice and avoid damage. Expect to paint or stain your doors every few years to keep them looking their best.
• Wood expands and contracts when temperatures change. Combined with its susceptibility to moisture, it’s known to end up cracking and warping over time.
• While veneers and overlays can certainly make wood doors a more affordable option, solid wood doors are not cheap.

2. Vinyl

If you’re looking for a durable, affordable option, vinyl doors may be a good choice. But, just because vinyl is more durable, don’t think you won’t get any choice when it comes to appearance!

Pros of Vinyl Garage Doors:

• Vinyl doesn’t rot, rust or dent.
• Lightweight material puts less strain on your garage door opener, preserving it and ensuring it functions the way it should.
• It is known to hold up well in coastal climates.

Cons of Vinyl Garage Doors:

• Some vinyl can have a plastic look to it. Viewing a sample of the material — or an entire door if you can — is essential to make sure it will complement your home.
• Doors that are darker in color can fade, leaving vinyl doors looking old and dingy. Vinyl typically looks better when painted a lighter color.

3. Steel

Steel garage doors are strong and durable — how could they not be? This robust option can provide some fantastic benefits for homeowners, both regarding their makeup and their curb appeal.

Pros of Steel Garage Doors:

• Holds up to the weather, leaving it unlikely to warp or crack.
• Can be covered with a wooden overlay or other protective finishes for a softer, more traditional look that won’t rust.
• Available in a variety of thicknesses — thicker steel is best for a stronger, more durable door.

Cons of Steel Garage Doors:

• Lack of energy efficiency, especially if you choose thinner steel. Choosing a thinner — and cheaper — steel can also make your door more susceptible to dents and dings.
• Depending on the problem, they can be difficult to repair.

4. Aluminum

When you hear the word “aluminum,” you might picture the same thin material you wrap dinner leftovers in. However, it’s crucial to realize an aluminum garage door is a combination of aluminum and fiberglass. Since aluminum doors are available in a wide range of colors and styles, it’s essential to understand what you will and won’t get with this option.

Pros of Aluminum Garage Doors:

• Translucent fiberglass panels let more light pass into the garage, providing more natural light than other materials.
• Aluminum is lightweight, so it won’t put undue strain on your garage door opener.
• Not susceptible to rust, which makes it especially good in humid climates.

Cons of Aluminum Garage Doors:

• Susceptible to cracks and dents.
• Not a good option for providing additional insulation to your garage — it absorbs a lot of heat in the summer, which makes your garage hot and will have your AC working overtime to keep that hot air from heating the interior of your home.
• Can yellow over time, which may negatively impact the appearance of the garage door.

Garage Door Styles

When it comes to choosing the right garage door for your home, you should think about more than just what the door is made of. You need to consider your home’s style, as well. The right door will blend perfectly with your home — not stick out like a sore thumb. For example, if you live in a traditional colonial home, you won’t want to choose a contemporary door. You’ll want to opt for a more traditional door. Or, if you live in a mission-style home, a Carriage House-style door may complete the exterior look you’re going for. 

Not only that, but you’ll want to make sure the materials you select for your door — wood, steel, aluminum or vinyl — are available in the style you like. While most doors today come in a variety of options, both for materials and color, it’s always smart to make sure what you want is available and works within the budget you’ve set for your project.

In general, there are three main styles of garage door available.

1. Contemporary

Contemporary garage doors have a reputation for their functional details and clean lines. That means they aren’t going to have as much detailing or look as ornate as some of the other options, but their beauty is in their simplicity. Contemporary garage doors are also known for taking materials like aluminum or steel and turning them into a beautiful exterior feature for your home. They can also incorporate elements of glass and wood. One of the benefits of these doors is that they typically have large glass window panels, which let a lot of natural light into your garage.

Learn More About Modern & Contemporary Garage Doors

2. Carriage House

These doors are also often referred to as “barn style” and are a much-sought-after feature for homes built in the Craftsman style. But, just because they work well with Craftsman-style homes doesn’t mean they don’t fit with other styles as well. Carriage House doors provide a lot of charm and detail that look great on many different kinds of homes.

They come in a variety of colors and materials and can be customized to fit your budget and the look of your home. While they’re popular for their beauty, don’t let their looks fool you. These doors are modern in every sense of the word, providing unparalleled strength, durability and energy efficiency that are sure to please.

Learn More About Carriage House Garage Doors

3. Traditional

These doors are also known as “raised-panel garage doors.” In other words, these are the ones you’ll see that have rows of raised, symmetrical panels along the surface of the door. Depending on the manufacturer, they can be made from different materials. You can select whether you want the panels to be “long” or “short,” which will give your door a unique, more custom appearance. You’ll also be able to select from doors that do or don’t have windows in them and, as a finishing touch, you can decide what color you want for your door(s).

Learn More About Wood & Faux Wood Garage Doors

Garage Door Types

When it comes to the aesthetics of your garage door, there’s another question you’ll need to answer: Do you want one door or two? For most people, this decision will hinge on the existing design of their home. After all, if you already had a single garage door, it’s not likely you’ll be changing up the entire layout of your home to accommodate two new doors. But, if you’re building a new home, you might have some choice when it comes to selecting whether you want two smaller doors or one larger door to grace your garage.

A double door is what it sounds like — two smaller doors that comprise the garage opening. They can go up independently of each other, and a narrow post or wall often separates them. A single door is one wide garage door that goes up or down across the entire width of the garage.

To determine which look is best for your home, it’s first vital to think about how you’ll be using your garage. Do you plan to house vehicles in it? Will you be backing one or more vehicles out of the garage daily? If so, you’ll need to select doors that will give you enough width to safely and securely back a car out of the doorway. If you plan to use your garage for your daily use vehicles, how large are those vehicles? After all, it takes a lot more space to store an SUV than a compact car.

You’ll also want to ask yourself if you plan to use your garage for storage. Will you be keeping tools or equipment there that will need a certain temperature to preserve their integrity? Will you be installing a workbench and doing home improvement projects there? If so, you’ll need to factor in the space to do this, as well as a door — or doors — that will allow you to move tools, equipment and other items in and out of the garage with ease.

Garage Door Windows

Windows are a common detail in modern garage door design. Their most significant benefits are the aesthetics they add to the look of your garage door. But, if you’re debating whether to add windows to your new garage door, there’s more than just beauty to think about.

Pros of Garage Door Windows:

• Provide natural light to your garage space, decreasing the need for extensive lighting in your garage.
• Add a beautiful architectural element to the exterior of your home.
• Select from a variety of shapes and styles to complement the style of door you choose.
• Create a more welcoming workspace for someone who spends time working on projects in the garage.

Cons of Garage Door Windows:

• If you opt for single-pane windows, they aren’t likely to be very energy-efficient.
• Worry that unwelcome “visitors” will be able to see what’s in the garage and encourage the possibility of break-ins.

People are often concerned the windows in their garage will tempt criminals to get a look at their tools and come back to help themselves. But, the truth is that most garage door windows are up so high that it would take a lot of effort to get up tall enough to have a good look. Yes, it’s possible, but no, it isn’t likely to happen. And, if you still aren’t convinced, consider having your garage door windows tinted. You get all the benefits of beautiful windows, but the tint keeps someone who’s nosy and determined from sneaking a peek at your stuff.

Choose the Garage Door That’s Just Right for You

With the variety available on today’s market, you can easily select a door that matches your needs, lifestyle and the character of your home. No matter what kind of home you have or what kind of budget you’re working with, there is sure to be a beautiful, durable garage door that will fit your needs perfectly.

But, if too many options leave you scratching your head, let the professionals at Continental Door Company lend a hand. Serving residential and commercial customers in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Coeur d’Alene and surrounding localities, Continental Door Company has nearly 20 years of experience helping clients find the right garage door for their home. Not only do our experienced professionals pride themselves on providing high-quality service to clients throughout the process, but we are proud to be the largest dealer of Clopay doors in the West.

Whether you’ve just started looking for a new door or you’re ready to have one installed, call us today for a free estimate. We think you’ll be glad you did!

Request More Information About Residential Garage Doors

Related Posts

Indoor and Outdoor Uses for Garage Doors

Use Your Tax Return to Upgrade Your Home

7 Reasons Why Upgrading Your Garage Door is a Great Investment

Updated: 05/22/2019