How To Choose The Right Garage Door For Your Home’s Style

The topic of home design or curb appeal, is an important area that every homeowner wants to get right, however, whilst many homeowners may focus on the house itself, one often overlooked element is the garage door. Often a major focal point of a home a garage door if chosen right can enhance the overall design and aesthetics of a home, whilst at the same time providing an extra layer of security that homeowners desire. 

Selecting a garage door that complements the style of your home can make a huge difference to the overall appeal and attractiveness of your property. However, this area often presents as an area that individuals may lack sufficient knowledge on to make an informed decision. In this guide, we will explore the styles of homes as well as garage doors, and dive into how homeowners can combine the two to find the best solution possible. 

Assessing Your Home’s Style 

Before we dive into the many garage door options that are available, an essential factor to understand is your home’s architectural style, having a firm understanding of this will ensure you are in a situation to choose the best garage door design that complements and enhances the overall appeal of your home. 

In the UK there is a diverse range of home styles, often characterized by where you live, for instance in the city or in the country, each home design will have different characteristics that require a different approach when choosing a garage door. Below we will explore the different home styles in the UK. 

Georgian Home

Georgian-style homes are prevalent in many areas of the UK, they are known for their unique symmetry of building mass as well as the placement of doors and windows. If you have a Georgian home opt for garage doors with panel designs reflecting the Georgian era, doors with raised panels and simple, refined detailing are key for this home style. 

Victorian Homes

Victorian-style homes exude charm, intricacy, and ornate details. These types of homes are known for their steeply pitched roofs and colorfully painted brickwork. Garage doors that compliment this style feature decorative elements such as arched windows, and doors with elaborate panel designs suit this property type.

Edwardian Home

Like Victorian homes, Edwardian-style homes are known for their ornate decorative details, present in both terraced city homes as well as in the country. Edwardian homes often feature a red-brick, with decorative window frames. Consider garage doors with subtle decorative elements, materials such as wood or steel give the door an authentic look. 

Modern Homes

Modern-style homes showcase simplicity, clean lines as well as contemporary design elements. Modern homes often feature geometric shapes and exude a style of luxury and wealth. Consider garage doors made from aluminum or steel with a smooth finish, this achieves a modern look that will complement your home. 

Understanding Garage Door Materials 

 When selecting a garage door for your home one of the key considerations to take into account is the choice of material available, as mentioned previously the different garage door materials are each unique and have their own characteristics to compliment your home in different ways. 

Popular Garage Door Materials 

Steel
Steel is popular due to its strength and durability, these styles of doors are also available in a range of styles, designs, and colors, making them a versatile option for a range of different homes. 

Wood
Wooden garage doors give off a sense of warmth and offer more character, wooden garage doors come in a range of styles around wood species, and wooden doors have the advantage of being able to be painted to reflect your home’s color. 

Aluminium
Aluminum garage doors can be customized with different finishes such as faux wood that adds a unique touch, they are known for their sleek and modern look, which makes them a perfect option for modern homes.  

Which Garage Door Material Should You Choose 

When choosing a material for your garage door consider factors such as the aesthetic features that will best compliment your home, for instance as mentioned a sleek modern aluminum door would compliment a modern home, whereas a wooden garage door with character would suit an Edwardian home. 

Ultimately the garage door material that is best for you will depend on your individual preferences, however other areas you should consider when choosing a garage door material are the following:

Durability and Maintenance

As we have touched on above, different garage door materials will have differing levels of durability and how prone to wear and tear they are, hence needing more frequent maintenance. If durability and maintenance are your top priorities then a steel or aluminum garage door would be a great pick, they are resistant to damage such as dents and require minimal upkeep. On the other end a material such as wood, is more prone to the weather and requires much more frequent upkeep.

Budget 

 Your budget is another big consideration to take into account when choosing the material for a garage door. Aluminum and steel are the most cost-effective and the cheapest option to both manufacture and install. On the other end wooden garage doors usually have to be custom-made to the client’s specific requirements and thus are a more costly option. 

Exploring Design Options 

Garage doors are not just functional components of a home but they also contribute massively to your home’s aesthetic appeal. Choosing the right style of garage door for your home greatly enhances its appeal, as well as creates visual harmony and a touch of personality. From classic to contemporary designs there are a range of design options available to choose from, which we will explore below. 

Craftsman 

As in the name craftsman garage doors are inspired and characterized by their attention to detail and craftsmanship. Often featuring neutral materials such as wood, these doors may feature decorative windows and divided lights. If your home features a low-pitched roof, tapered columns, with a mixture of materials such as brick and stone then craftsman garage doors will work perfectly. 

Contemporary and Modern

As the name suggests contemporary and modern garage doors suit a modern home, made with simplicity and minimalism in mind. This design of garage door can incorporate glass panels to create a striking visual impact, whilst allowing natural light to flow into your garage.

Traditional Raised Panel 

A timeless choice that compliments a wide range of architectural designs, these doors feature rectangular panels, creating a sense of depth and character to your garage door, these doors are available in materials such as wood. 

This is only a small selection of what is available and it’s worth noting that each garage door can be further customized with different materials and colours, but what is the best colour to choose for your garage door?

As we have touched on in this guide there are a range of factors to consider when choosing a garage door the best match your home’s style, be it the style of home you have, to your personal preferences, each factor will play a part in the final buying decision, but ultimately the decision will be down to what you perceive to be the best option. Additionally you can consult a professional garage door specialist who will be well equipped with the relevant knowledge to help you make the most informed and justified buying decision for your home.