Top 5 Reasons It’s Worth it to Upgrade a Garage Door (and how to choose the right garage door for your home)

Yes! Residential garage doors are a great investment and are one of the top home improvements that consistently result in an impressive return on investment (ROI) as reported by Remodeling Magazine. The Magazine’s 2024 Cost vs. Value report indicates a $4,513 investment in a garage door replacement (based on the national average in the US)* will net a $8,751 ROI.  If you’re planning to sell your home in the foreseeable future, it is worth it to upgrade a garage door before the For Sale sign hits your front yard.  New doors increase home value, so you’ll likely recoup the initial investment cost and more. In addition, modern garage doors boost curb appeal, which will attract more potential buyers by improving overall home aesthetics.

When considering any home renovation, price is also a priority when choosing a new garage door.  Ideally, you want to be able to buy the door you love without breaking the bank.  Nowadays, this is more possible than ever.

*Remodeling Magazine’s, national average cost of $4,513 shown in their 2024 Report, is based on the following: Removal and disposal of an existing 16-foot wide X 7-foot high garage door and tracks; installing a new four-section garage door on new heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks; reusing an existing motorized opener; the new door has a lifetime warranty, and is made with high-tensile-strength steel with two coats of factory-applied paint, is foam insulated to minimum R-12, and includes thermal seals between pinch-resistant panels; windows are included in the top panel and are ½-inch insulated glass; the hardware includes galvanized steel hinges and ball-bearing urethane rollers.

The basis door in Remodeling Magazine’s 2024 Cost vs. Value report is just one example of a solid, modern upgraded garage door that’s within the price range of most homeowners.  Even if you’re searching for a more customized garage door, those garage door designs are also affordable and worth looking into.

There’s no doubt an insulated garage door will make a difference at improving home energy efficiency the very day it’s installed.  This is great news since today’s garage has many uses beyond sheltering cars and trucks including doubling as a craft and construction site, to storing athletic and lawn care equipment, and even as a workspace for DIY car mechanics. Hot summer temperatures or very cold conditions in winter can interfere with all that if that space isn’t adequately insulated.

Here's how insulated garage doors can improve home energy efficiency:

Regulating Indoor Temperatures
By helping to maintain a more stable temperature in your garage, insulated garage doors can prevent extreme cold or heat from filtering into adjacent rooms in your home, especially if you have living spaces above or beside the garage.

Reducing Energy Loss
By reducing the transfer of heat / AC between the garage and the outside, insulated doors can help to minimize the amount of energy required to heat or cool your home, which can result in lower energy bills over time.

Improving Comfort
An insulated garage door can make the garage more comfortable, especially if it’s used as an additional living area or workspace. This improved comfort can boost home energy efficiency by reducing the need for heating or cooling the garage itself.

Quality Construction
Insulated doors are often built with higher quality materials as compared to non-insulated doors, resulting in a sturdy product that requires less maintenance. Quality construction that includes weatherstripping and draft seals contributes to long-term energy efficiency by preventing drafts and air leaks.

While many homeowners choose well insulated windows and entry doors, many fail to realize the massive amount of energy lost through large garage door openings with an uninsulated garage door. To resolve this issue, when you’re shopping for a garage door replacement, look for one made with polyurethane or polystyrene materials and with the highest possible R-value. In addition to highly insulated solid panels, look for tongue and groove section joints and full perimeter draft seals which all work to reduce air infiltration. Also, insulated windows provide a higher level of energy control, or even opt for no windows if your main goal is the best level of environmental comfort.

In reference to R-value, while R-value is the most known and understood measurement for thermal performance, it only considers the insulating effect through the center of a door section. U-factor is a more comprehensive measure of thermal performance because it measures the rate of heat transfer from the warmer side to the colder side, through the complete door assembly including the solid panels, windows, and perimeter. Building component manufacturers are starting to use U-factor more and more as the measure for overall thermal performance of a product.

Click to learn what homeowners need to know about U-factor vs. R-value.

To minimize the amount of required maintenance and upkeep, garage doors today are available in maintenance free designs in every imaginable style.  Rather than wooden garage doors (which must be prepared, primed, and painted or stained before installation and require additional annual maintenance), you can buy a door that has the sophisticated look of natural wood, or the timeless style of a classic carriage style garage door but is made of a modern, maintenance-free aluminum or steel construction. Both only need an occasional cleaning to keep them looking their best and are sure to turn heads in your neighborhood with their luxurious looks. 

Choosing a door made of aluminum or steel virtually eliminates the need for maintenance to keep the exterior looking its best.

Do automatic garage doors need some maintenance?

Yes, automatic garage doors do need periodic maintenance to ensure they function properly and safely.  Keeping the door clean is easy with modern age panel construction, but there are additional recommended maintenance tasks that should be performed to prolong the life of your door and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

What type of maintenance should I do on my garage door?

Here are a few simple things homeowners can do on their own to maintain their garage doors: 

• Inspection
  Periodically check for signs of wear and tear, such as frayed cables, cracked garage door rollers, or bent tracks. If you see any defective parts and to prevent more significant problems, contact your nearby garage door service company for assistance.
• Testing
  Test the door's auto-reversing feature to make sure it's working correctly.  This can be done by lifting your foot in the path of the photo eyes beam located near the bottom of the door tracks and make sure the door reverses. This safety feature prevents the door from closing if something is in its path.
• Cleaning
  Keep the tracks and sensors clean to ensure smooth operation. Dust and debris can interfere with the door's movement and create resistance that can prematurely wear out door components.
• Lubrication
  The moving parts of the door, such as rollers, hinges, and the opener chain or belt, should be lubricated regularly to keep everything running smoothly. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on the type of lubrication that is recommended.
• Annual Professional Service
  It's a good idea to have a professional technician perform a thorough inspection and maintenance check annually. They can perform adjustments to the door alignment or tension, and they can also clean and lubricate the door if you’re unable to perform those tasks.

For a more complete maintenance checklist, download the Check List for Home Inspectors and Consumers created by DASMA (Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association) here.
DASMA Residential Door Maintenance Checklist

Garage Door Safety

With consumer safety a priority for all garage door manufacturers, new garage doors are designed to be safe and secure.  
Be sure to look for safety features like:

• Photoelectric sensors (to detect objects in the path of the door)
• Automatic reversal mechanism (to prevent closing on objects)
• Properly functioning emergency release handle
• Pinch-proof panel designs

These built-in safety features make it very unlikely that injuries can happen. You’ll also want to be sure to have your door installed and maintained by an authorized dealer / installer as they are trained to properly install the door, the operator, and all electronic accessories.

Garage Door Security

The level of security depends on several factors:

• Type of Door Construction: Solid, insulated doors made of materials like steel tend to be more secure than lighter, thinner, uninsulated doors.
• Locks and Hardware: Additional locking mechanisms and reinforced hardware are available on modern garage doors. Older doors may have flimsy locks, which can be easily penetrable.
• Opener Technology: Some new style garage door openers use rolling code technology, which automatically changes the door access code each time the door is opened. This provides a higher level of access security as compared to older opener models that only work with fixed codes.
• Proper Installation: Installation by a door professional is crucial so the door is properly positioned in the door opening and no gaps exist that can create a break in entry point.
• Remote Access: If your garage door opener has remote access features, like smartphone connectivity, ensure that the app and device are secure to prevent unauthorized access.
• Additional Security Measures:  Security features such as video / smart door bells installed around the garage door can enhance security by functioning as a deterrent.

Determine your style

With relatively narrow home lots now the norm, modern home designs have street-facing garage doors that are a front and center contributor to curb appeal.  And, the proportion of two-car garages occupies a large portion of the layout relative to the full facade of a house so garage doors are often what’s noticed first. To maximize curb appeal, the door must be aesthetically attractive, and match the look of the home.

When you begin to plan for a new garage door, think first about the general style of your home: Colonial, cottage, ranch, rustic or contemporary.

Generally, there are three garage door styles:

1. Contemporary
2. Carriage
3. Traditional

Keep in mind that the most popular style or trend for garage doors may not necessarily be the best choice for your home. Once you’ve determined your home’s unique style, start researching garage door brands by finding a local residential garage door dealer near you or doing an internet search for garage door manufacturers.  You can gather a lot of useful details directly from manufacturer websites and will then have to get in touch with their local dealer in your area for a quote.

In addition to focusing on insulated garage door models, here are a few additional considerations to think about when designing your new door.  You can quickly spice up your garage door with windows, glass options, custom colors, and decorative hardware.

Invite in natural light

If you do a lot of work in your garage, natural light provided by windows on the garage door can be a practical addition. Doors with a complete panel of windows, also known as “full-view” doors, have become very popular for their contemporary looks and functionality. Double-pane insulated glass windows are completely sealed to help maintain energy efficiency.  Most manufacturers offer models with interesting glass treatments so you are sure to find a design that will allow in the right amount of light while spicing up your home’s curb appeal.

Custom colors

Are you content with a standard color to match the basic color scheme of your home or are you looking for a specific hue that will perfectly contrast your roofing material?  Garage door manufacturers offer garage doors in a choice of several standard colors so matching elements like window trim and roofing is easy.  For precise color matching (let’s say - to match that Coastal Blue siding you love so much) look for a manufacturer that offers an extreme color matching process like Hörmann’s Galaxy Paint System (which makes it possible to match any color under the stars!)

Decorative hardware

If your goal is truly a one-of-a-kind door, consider optional decorative garage door hardware. Mock handles and spade / spear accents can add the extra detail that’s missing from your neighbor’s garage doors. In addition to exterior hardware, for the interior, epoxy painted track and hardware are available on select models.  If you use your garage for outdoor events, it can be worth to add these visual details.

Which of the 5 reasons will have the most impact on your decision to upgrade your garage door? 

If increasing your home’s value and capitalizing on an amazing ROI -  if you’re planning to sell - isn’t enough to convince you it’s worth it to update your garage door, maybe the thought of better home energy efficiency and a more comfortable workspace is your motivation.  Reduced maintenance around the house and better safety around the garage door are also worthwhile considerations when trying to decide.  Once you decide to upgrade, take time to research the exciting modern styles and options available. Finally, be sure to work with a manufacturer’s authorized, professional door dealer / installer.  The technicians are trained to install residential garage doors accurately and safely according to the manufacturer’s specifications. They will do an official site survey, noting all necessary measurements and details needed for quoting and installation, so your new doors will look, fit, and perform exactly as you expect.  In addition, if you have questions or need service down the road, you’ll know who to call.

Download these free guides that compare Hörmann door models side-by-side, or explore the vast array of garage door styles and options here:  www.hormann.us/residential  then  locate a Hörmann garage door dealer near you.