Garage Door Dealers: 6 Frequently Asked Customer Questions
When you're a homeowner making a substantial change to your home, you likely have questions you want answered. Having been in the garage door industry for more than 50 years, we've been asked many questions by our customers. While most people would like to know the cost of repairing or replacing their garage door, the answer can vary depending on the work needed (we broke down some of that information here).
Here are six frequently asked questions received by a garage door dealer.
Should I choose a metal or wood garage door?
It all depends on your preference. Each door material has its own different features and needs. Wood garage doors are a beautiful, classic option that allows you to customize your entryway; they require regular upkeep to maintain their desired appearance, but for some homeowners, the aesthetic is worth it. Steel or fiberglass doors offer more modern features, such as low maintenance and stronger insulation. It all comes down to your climate needs and style!
What about an insulated or non-insulated door?
If your garage door is attached to the house, you'll want it to be insulated. If there is a room above or to the side of the garage, it is a good idea to insulate the door; this helps reduce heat loss, keeping your home more comfortable and lowering energy use.
If you use your garage as a workspace or to store power tools, you may want an insulated door to keep the environment warm (especially if you live in a colder climate).
If insulated, do I choose polystyrene or polyurethane?
The climate in which you live affects the thickness of your garage door to reduce heat loss. Polyurethane provides optimal thermal performance with the same thickness as polystyrene. The more polyurethane foam a garage door is insulated with, the higher its thermal resistance will be — helpful if you live in a climate like Buffalo!
How long does a new garage door last?
A brand-new, high-quality garage door with polyurethane foam insulation can last up to 20 years. The garage door system itself will function well in the long term with proper maintenance. As for the paint finish and structure, you can easily maintain them over the years!
How much headroom space is needed above the door system?
Typically, you want about 14 inches of space for the hardware system and electric door opener. The minimum space possible is six inches; this requires a double-track system that allows smaller headroom. If you have too much headroom, most hardware systems can adjust to accommodate it!
Can I put windows in the garage door?
Of course, you can! Before deciding on windows for your garage door, consider two things: natural light and security. Natural light is a great way to utilize your garage as more than, well, a garage. If you are concerned about security, you may not want to add windows that could be used as points of access to open your door. The decision is up to you!
