Curb appeal isn't just about wowing buyers the first time they see your house—it's an essential piece of ongoing ownership that shores up property value and personal pride in where you live. For buyers, an attractive exterior can be the beckoning finger that pulls them in. But it also cultivates the nine-tenths of curb appeal designed to please only one person: you!
That said, the garage door is an underappreciated exterior accoutrement. After all, the garage door can occupy as much as 30 to 40 percent of a home's facade. Clearly, how one addresses the expansive surface (with a classic swing-type door, a "keeping up with the Joneses" steel raised panel door or the nouveau faux carriage door) is curb appeal–critical.
Understanding Garage Door Styles
In choosing a garage door, you should reflect your home’s architectural style; a traditional garage door would not complement a modern house, and vice versa. A traditional garage door will likely feature more classic designs and often have more raised panels. They pair perfectly with colonial or Victorian-style houses. On the other hand, a contemporary or modern garage door generally has sleek lines and simple aesthetics.
The material and color that you choose also matter. Some materials require more maintenance than others, just like some are more long-lasting than others. A color that accents your home nicely will help improve your home’s curb appeal without coming off as obnoxious and attention-seeking.
Matching Your Garage Door to Your Front Facade
Look at your front facade. You’ll want to take stock of elements like your windows, siding, and roofing. Aesthetically, you’ll also want to take note of your style (modern, traditional, rustic) as that might influence the design of the door you select (minimalist doors are considered modern or even contemporary while a carriage style door might look nice on a classic door).
Part of the fun of picking a garage door is selecting the colours and materials to coordinate with the rest of your home. You might want a colour that coordinates with the existing colour scheme of your home. If your home’s exterior features warm tones, a wood finish, or perhaps a soft beige color might look very appealing. Regarding the build, consider doors made of steel or fiberglass. These doors offer the best value in terms of style and color selection while also offering reasonable build quality.
The Importance of Professional Garage Door Installation
There are some significant benefits that come with hiring a pro to install your garage door, especially when it comes to safety and looks. A lot of the job requires you to work with heavy material and to work in ways that could result in a poorly installed door if done wrong. A well-installed door absolutely functions better and lasts longer.
Some homeowners will want to install a garage door on their own. It looks like you can save money if you do (and you can), but there are a few tricky areas where you might come up short. For one, you may not have the necessary tools, or you may not be able to do the job well. So, while many people love the satisfaction that comes with doing the job themselves, sometimes you need the white glove treatment only pros can provide.
In this article, we’ve shown you a variety of garage door styles that can make a big impact on how your home’s front facade may look to others. From traditional raised-panel to modern minimalist designs, your choice in a garage door style can greatly influence the overall aesthetic design of your home. It also gives you an opportunity to explore different ways to enhance your home’s architectural styling, and to express your own creative design ideas.