The garage door is a very important part of a home. Both appearance and functionality play a big role when it comes time to choose a garage door. As most people use their garage door more often than they use their front door, no one wants to have any issues with getting their cars stuck in the garage, etc. The size of a garage door usually takes up 20-60 percent of the size of the front of homes and is a major focal point when looking at the house. A look of a garage door can transform the look of a house from “nay” to “yey”. There are many factors, other than design, to consider when deciding on a garage door. It might be a good idea to read the factors that American Veteran Garage recommends to make sure you make the best decision.
What Factors To Consider
Size
First, of course, you will need to measure the opening of your garage door frame. It’s very important to choose a garage door that actually fits your home. Some houses, mostly in new construction in North Las Vegas will have 16×8 doors. But Most houses in Las Vegas have 16×7 garage doors, that’s 16 ft wide and 7 ft tall. That means the opening (also referred to as a frame) will be 15″,8×6″,11. The “missing” few inches are so that the garage door may have a bit of “wiggle room” without showing a gap between the frame and the panels. Some houses have an opening of 16 ft exactly. This is usually the case with older houses that have tilt-up garages (one piece garage door). These houses are the predecessor of today’s overhead garage doors. If your home currently has a tilt-up door, you will need to install molding on the lip of the frame to cover up the gap between the panels and the opening.
Some people even mount wood on the sides of the opening, thus narrowing it by a few inches. If you own a lifted truck, boat, RV, etc. you might look into heightening your garage door top frame to accommodate a taller vehicle. 14″ ft residential overhead garage doors are perfect for anyone with an RV. To determine the size of the door you need the best thing will be to measure your existing door. Standard sizes for garage doors in Las Vegas are 15,16,18 ft wide and 7 or 8 ft tall. Single car garage doors come in 8,9,10 ft wide and 7,8 tall. If you have a different size, you will need to special order. Some garage door companies in Las Vegas can cut a bigger panel door to fit an odd size opening.
Color
Color is obviously a major factor to consider when deciding on a garage door. Sure, you can always go with white and paint over it, but the original color will mostly look better. The best garage door companies use powder coat paint and warranties their paint job. It will, typically, look a lot better. Standard colors are colors that most garage doors manufacturing companies produce are Almond, White, Sandstone, and Brown. Some also have a natural wood color. Any other color will probably be done but will require a bit of patience, as most companies don’t usually stock them. It is not wrong or right color, you have to see if you want your garage door to stand out, or blend with the color scheme of the house. Also, double check with your HOA and make sure that you choose a garage door that complies with their restrictions.
Design
A great way to improve the look of your home, and be the envy of all your neighbors, is to choose a garage door so unique that makes your house stand out. Garage doors come in so many different styles, and if that’s not enough, you can always build your own custom door. All a matter of personal preference and how flexible your budget is. Steel garage door panels are visually differentiated by two things: texture (woodgrain look or smooth finish panels) and stamping (short panel, long panel, flush, carriage, etc)
A good affordable way to stay within budget is to pick a “Short panel” or “long panel” door. These are the most common doors in Las Vegas and most companies carry a lot of them in stock.
A slightly more expensive option is carriage door panels. There are, typically, steel doors with a, less standard, stamping style. Garage door companies are always coming up with new designs.
Material.
Steel garage doors – Common misconception is garage doors are made of aluminum but actually, most garage doors in Las Vegas are made of steel. But not all doors were made equal. This is where the gauge of the steel, your door is made of comes to play. Today, most manufacturers opt for 25 gauge steel. Best garage door companies in Las Vegas offer 24 gauge steel doors. The lower the number, the thicker the steel is. Thicker steel door means a bit more weight and a lot more usage out of your door. 24 gauge steel garage door manufacturers often will give “lifetime warranty ” on their doors. 25 gauge garage door manufacturers will usually give 5-15 years warranty. Only a hand full of companies in Las Vegas offer 24 gauge steel doors. (American veteran garage doors being one).
Vinyl garage doors – these doors are meant to be very light and are comfortable for the coastal region as they don’t rust. Because of the material, usually, these doors are not as ‘heavy-duty” and won’t last as long as any of its competitors. Also, repairing them is difficult as you cannot anchor any screws to the material. On the positive side, they do come in a wider variety.
Wood doors – these are the heavyweights of the bunch. Typically very heavy, these doors provide a look and feel that is hard to achieve with steel panels. Typically speaking, there will be more costly as they are, usually, handcrafted
Aluminum and glass – for those looking for a more contemporary look, these will probably be the best choice. Made with anodized aluminum frame and verity of glass “Windows”, this is a look that transforms any house to head turner. Durability wise, these doors are made to last. And you can customize the look by, not only choosing the color and texture of the aluminum frame but also choosing between clear, frosted, tinted, etc.
Fiberglass – fiberglass garage door panels are relatively new to the industry. They usually try to mimic a wood-like appearance. These are lightweight doors and, as of today, are very uncommon in Las Vegas garage door homes.
Insulation
Insulated garage door panels are recommended and decently worth looking into. Insulated garage door panels not only prevent your garage from being very hot in the summer, but it also saves you money on heating and cooling expenses. If your garage door faces the Las Vegas sun, or if you have a bedroom on top of the garage, insulating your garage door might be a good idea. All though insulated garage doors cost more, this will, in the long run, save you money on your electric or gas Bill. An insulated garage door is sometimes are quieter, as the extra weight makes it rattle less.
Insulation effectiveness is rated b R-value. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation. R-value demands on the type of insulation material, thickness, and density. Usually ranges between 3-19. With anything under 6 is considered low and over 10 is considered quite high.
Windows
Adding window panels is a great way to personalize and enhance the look of your house. Standard window panels come 2 sizes, on top of which you mount a plastic insert with the window design you like. There are many designs and most garage doors companies in Las Vegas offer at least 10 different styles to choose from. Along with letting natural light Into the garage, Window panels also leave your garage vulnerable to break-ins and that’s one more thing to think about before you go with window panels.
Budget
Budget is, of course, a big factor in any when it’s time to choose a garage door. Garage doors typically start in the $500’s and can exceed $5,000’s. At American Veteran Garage Doors, we try to fit the best garage door to your budget and needs.
Backside – the back side of your garage door is important too. This referees more to steel made doors. Steel made garage doors are either hollow back – meaning the panel is curved inward, leaving the back of the steel exposed. Insulation fills in the panels and is covered with vinyl or a poly board. The best is a steel back finish. This means the back of the door is covered by a steel piece. Steel back panels are extremely durable and also provide a nice, elegant finish.
Homeowners association (HOA) – also to consider as they sometimes have restrictions on what style and color garage door you can install in your house.
Molding– molding provides a smooth and elegant transition between the frame and the garage door panels. It also takes care of the gap between the door and the frame. This assist in getting a better seal and makes it harder for insects and sand to find their way into your garage. In Las Vegas, many homes don’t have molding installed.