June 2009
Monthly Archive
Garage door buyers guide
So you decided to buy a garage door? The first thing you need to think about is your budget, how much do you have to spend? Like anything, the more you pay the better deal you will get and the longer your garage door will last. However not all of us have the money to spend thousands of pounds on a garage door. Wooden garage doors are especially expensive, although they do provide a more authentic look.
There are several different types wooden garage doors, and the important thing is to find the style that goes best with your house but also the houses surrounding you. If every other house in the street has a wooden door when buying a steel one isn’t going to make you the most popular neighbour in the neighbourhood. With that said you do need to make sure you stay within your budget. You can’t afford a wooden door there are good alternatives such as steel doors or other materials made to look like wood.
If you live in an authentic street with old-style houses then you will probably want to get an authentic looking wooden garage door. These come in many different styles. You can get more expensive wooden garage doors that are built to mirror garage doors in times gone by, such as the Tudor era. If you have a house from an old era then you will want to make sure that your door fits in with the overall style and age of your house.
Now by this point you are probably thinking of buying a garage door shouldn’t be this complicated. The bad news is the choice of whether you buy wooden door or a steel garage door is just the first of many decisions that you have to make within the next few months. The good news is that there are many experts around who will be able to provide you with solid advice as to which garage door is best for you and your family.
Another thing to consider when buying a wooden door is that they are generally heavier than their steel counterparts. This means that you must make sure your garage door is safe. While garage door safety has become better within recent decades, there are still several deaths every year in the US alone caused by malfunctioning garage doors. You should always check your garage door regularly signs of wear and tear. You should always contact a professional if you are in any doubt as to the safety of your garage door especially if you have young children in the house.
Yes, buying a garage door isn’t the most exciting process in the world. However it is much better to take your time and choose a door that will last you for many years.
Wooden garage door questions
If you are thinking of buying a new garage door there are several things to take into account. This is especially the case if you are buying a wooden garage door. These include the climate that you live in, the type of wood that you choose and how much you have to spend.
As you may know wood is a good insulator that in extreme cold conditions it is unlikely to be the best choice of material in your garage door. This is because unless you buy a very expensive wooden door it will not be that thick and therefore its insulating properties are compromised. This may increase your house is energy bill as well as not protecting any heat sensitive items in your garage. Also, if you live in an area that regularly has hurricanes it wooden doors will not be a good choice as they are not as strong as metal.
A big problem with wooden garage doors is that they can go rotten, especially in areas of a very warm climate. However if you properly maintain your door you’ll find that it is unlikely to rot . The best way to maintain your door is to hire a professional to look after it on a regular basis. Not only can they check for rot , but they will also be able to advise you on whether your door is safe. We have talked about garage door safety a lot on this website but that it is a major issue that not many people are aware of.
The main problem with a wooden garage door is that they are more expensive than metal or even fibreglass. In fact they can be anywhere up to 10 times the price of metal doors making them a major investment. They do look great and will last a long time properly maintained but if you are unwilling but the effort into maintaining them then they can be a disaster because they will not last as long as they should do and as you would expect them to.
With that said a wooden door on your garage will really make your house look great and will help your house to sell in the future. It is usually best to get a professional to install your garage door for you so you can be sure a professional job has been done.