There are so many things to consider as you design the exterior of your dream home. The landscaping. The patio. The shutters. The outdoor lighting. The garage doors. Yes, you read that correctly: garage doors. They are more than just a practical port of entry to your house. In fact, they present a chance for you to inject even more style into the outside of your abode. But before you start shopping, there are a few things that you should keep top of mind.
First of all, did you know that there are standard garage door sizes? Single garage doors, intended for one car or small vehicles such as a tractor or motorcycle, are usually eight to nine feet wide and seven to eight feet high. A double garage door will allow for two cars and typically measures at 16 feet wide and seven to eight feet high. If you're designing things from scratch, you can always ponder a custom-sized garage door. The average new garage door costs anywhere from $600 to upwards of $6,000.
Surprisingly, there are quite a few materials to choose from when designing a garage door. Standard materials like steel, fiberglass, or vinyl, can look fairly utilitarian, while natural wood or wood composite will result in a classic look with a dose of style. Glass is an especially modern choice.
As with any other part of your home, a garage door does require some maintenance. Be sure to give all the parts a visual inspection from time to time — especially when it comes to wood doors that require extra attention. Remove leaves and other debris from the tracks, make sure the mechanisms are working correctly, and lubricate the hinges and rollers when needed.
An eye-catching garage door idea can be a surprisingly effective way to increase your home's value, and along with it, the curb appeal. Ways to do this include: Making it aesthetically-pleasing, honoring the look of your home by matching the garage door to the rest of the exterior (this is especially true of historic homes), sticking to horizontal lines for the design, and incorporating windows that invite light into a dark space.
Now that we've laid the groundwork, it's time to consider the appearance of your garage door. Here's a handy guide to help get you started.
Garage Door Design Ideas
Just like the rest of your exterior, garage door ideas can fall in line with the style of a home. First, you should be aware that there are a few different types of standard garage doors: Sectional garage doors made up of raised panels; old-fashioned roll-up garage doors; canopy garage doors that tilt up; and carriage-house garage doors that have a barn-style appearance.
As you consider these design possibilities, you'll need to think through those material choices, too. As we said, wood is a traditional and stylish choice, and whether it has a linear pattern or incorporates modern-looking, streamlined windows, it's a great way to add curb appeal to your home.
Another design idea: Barn-style garage doors. They're becoming increasingly popular. Think classic "X" designs, light colors, and warm wood finishes reminiscent of an actual barn. Top off any pretty garage ideas you have with spot-on exterior lighting. You can choose from gooseneck barn-style wall sconces, downlights, lanterns, and more.
Garage Door Style Ideas
Design and style often go hand-in-hand when it comes to today's homes, and garage door ideas are no exception. For a modern garage door, look to design aspects like clean lines, glossy finishes, textured details, and modern materials like slick metal or glass.
To give your garage door a throwback feel that Frank Lloyd Wright would be proud of, consider a craftsman garage door. If your home has an overall craftsman vibe, it would be good to match that with a door design that exudes the same aesthetic. To achieve this, focus on custom millwork, saturated hues, and natural wood finishes.
Adding a farmhouse garage door is an instant way to make your home's exterior look perfectly charming. For this, you'll need classic colors like black and white, timeless wood finishes, vintage-inspired patterns, and barn-style elements.
Garage Door Color Ideas
Garage door ideas can lend quite a bit of color juxtaposition and visual interest to the outside of your home. Sure, you can always go neutral-on-neutral to keep your home looking as classic and timeless as possible, or you can take a bit of a design risk with your garage to make it cool and stylish.
Blue is a garage door shade that offers a soothing tone to your exterior and happens to look flawless if the rest of your home is white or gray. A pastel blue is unexpected and pretty, while teal leans toward current color trends. A navy-blue garage door will never go out of style.
White is as ageless as it comes if you want a trend-proof option. It works easily with a farmhouse exterior and meshes beautifully with eye-catching landscaping, climbing florals, and brick accents.
On the other hand, you can always go to the dark side with your garage door and paint it black. It's a modern choice that looks great with everything (black siding, glass, brick) and is oh-so-current.
Where to Shop for Garage Doors
Lowe's
Clopay