The House Plan Shop Blog

The purpose and function of overhead garage doors have changed over time. Now, not only do they open, close and lock keeping your cars and other items in the garage safe and out of site, but they also contribute to the overall style and curb appeal of your home giving it a stylish look. Furthermore, they play a roll in energy efficiency keeping the cold and heat out of your home. Safety is another important task for your garage door offering security and protection for your cars and other items stored in the garage. Garage doors are available in a vast array of sizes, styles, colors and architectural themes ensuring you’ll find the right one to complement your new house. If you are building a new home, put some thought into the type of overhead doors you’d like to install. Below is a list of things to consider before purchasing your garage door:

1. Does the garage door have a high durability rating?
2. Is it available in a color that blends nicely with the façade of your house?
3. Does the garage door complement the architectural style of your home and its exterior decorative elements like the front door, window shutters, etc.?
4. What energy efficiency features does it have including insulation?
5. Are there any special safety features included? Does the overhead garage door have a safety rating?
6. Is the garage door available with customizable options such as your choice of hardware or glass allowing you to have your own unique appearance?

Also, take some time to check with garage door manufactures. Some offer a design tool by which you can upload a photo of your home and experiment or “try on” all the different garage door options including color and style, making it easy to select the right overhead garage door for your new house.

Tags: Building a House, garage, garage door, garage doors, home plans, house plans, overhead doors

When building a new house, there are many decisions to make regarding the look and functionality of your home inside and out. One choice you’ll be faced with is selecting the type of garage door you prefer. Garage doors come in various materials including aluminum, steel, vinyl and wood. Wooden garage doors have been around since garages have become part of a family home. They remain a popular choice in today’s market due to durability, longevity, technical aspects and visual appeal. The House Plan Shop has provided a list of the advantages and disadvantages of wooden garage doors to help you decide if they are the right choice for you.

Advantages

·         They are custom built to meet the home owner’s specifications and preferences.

·         These doors can be built to fit any size or shape garage.

·         They can be created or adjusted to accommodate non-level garage floors.

·         Their custom-built nature ensures your garage doors will have a unique look.

·         Wood garage doors nicely complement homes with an exterior finish of natural materials such as cedar shingles, wood board siding, logs or stone.

·         They do not crack or dent like vinyl, aluminum and steel doors.

·         Wood is a renewable resource; therefore wood garage doors are earth-friendly.

·         Natural material treatments are available to increase the longevity of the garage door by protecting against bending, distorting and rotting.

·         Damaged garage doors can be replaced easily by repairing the damaged portion or panel rather than replacing the entire garage door.

·         They can be operated manually or automatically like garage doors made of other materials.

·         Wood is a natural sound barrier and cuts down on noise pollution better than other garage door materials in noisy neighborhoods and along busy streets.

·         Wood can withstand drastic temperature changes and serves as an insulator against heat and cold.

·         These garage doors can easily be repainted in the future giving them a whole new look.

Disadvantages

·         They are more costly to build than their manufactured competitors.

·         Wood garage door manufactures are hard to come by.

·         Due to their custom-built nature, wood garage doors must be custom ordered. They require building time and therefore are not readily available in lumberyards and home improvement stores like their manufactured competitors.

·          Wood garage doors are heavy requiring a properly sized garage door opener and springs to move the weight of the door. 

·         Regular maintenance is necessary to prevent rotting and other damage.

The House Plan Shop recommends taking some time to consider the advantages and disadvantages of wooden garage doors as well as other pre-manufactured doors ensuring you choose the garage doors that are right for your new home.

Tags: garage, garage doors, wooden garage doors

If you are building a new house, chances are you’ve thought about every detail from siding and brick to carpeting and light fixtures making sure that all the elements of your new home reflect your personal tastes and lifestyle. But, have you thought about how the perfect style garage door will complement your home and lend further curb appeal? Just like window shutters and porch columns, garage doors add character to your home and contribute to the overall exterior appearance. So take some time to consider what type of garage door(s) will complement your home best.

Overhead garage doors come in a fabulous array of sizes, styles and colors ensuring you’ll find the just the right one to give your home a stylish look. They are can be made from several different materials including fiberglass, steel, vinyl and wood and are available with or without windows. You’ll find a wide variety of styles to choose from such as estate, carriage and traditional style doors at most home improvement stores and some online retailers such as Precision Garage Doors St. Louis. With just the right garage door, your new home is sure to catch the attention of any passer-by.

Tags: garage doors, home exterior, overhead doors