There is an expression that says “Clothes make the man”. Could that be applied to your garage door?
When you stand on the sidewalk or at the curb and face your home, what do you see first?
Your garage door, isn’t it?
It’s even more striking if the area it covers is large, meaning a garage able to park two or even three cars.
You don’t believe it’s true?
Then put yourself in this following situation. Tomorrow, you decide to relocate to a new town and buy a new house.
You select a promising neighborhood and visit some homes. You pull up in front of one of the possible homes, and what is the first thing you see when you park in the driveway? Yes, it’s the garage door…
Are you a little more convinced? Let’s get back to our original topic.
Have you ever asked yourself this question:
Am I proud of my garage door ?
Does it really represent my personality?
Do I indeed like it?
Or instead, do you tell yourself that you have to do something about it because basically it doesn’t represent you properly.
Here are 1 reason and 2 steps to find your best way to give your garage the look it deserves.
So why is it important for your garage door to represent your personality?
The #1 Reason: MONEY!
Because your garage door is a large part of your home, especially if it is on the front and faces the street.
Even if you aren’t fully conscious of the fact, the garage door greatly contributes to the impression your house gives when your neighbors, friends or relative pay you a visit.
Though the exterior appearance of your house may be neat and attractive, a dingy garage door with peeling paint can leave a bad impression.
A new garage door or even one spruced up can greatly improve the look of your home.
Did you know that, according to the National Association of Realtors in the United States, if you put your house on the market and your garage door is attractive, as well as having a neat, well-organized interior, you could sell your residence faster and even get a better offer or close to the asking price on its sale ?
Real estate agents even say you can get up to 4% more if your door has that “wow” effect anticipated by visitors.
Here is another statistic.
In 2018, according to Remodeling Magazine in its “Cost vs. Value” report, replacing one’s garage door gives the best return on investment, 98%, the highest value among the 21 renovation projects evaluated.
Does this help to convince you to do something about your garage door?
Question #1 - What is the architectural style of your house?
Hopefully, this previous scenario makes you realize the importance of making your garage door attractive.
But where to start?
The first question you have to answer: what is the architectural style of your home?
There is an important link to make between the architectural style of your home and the garage door design you need to choose .
To simplify everything, let’s say that nowadays, you can place homes into one of 3 main styles.
Whether yours is a 1-floor bungalow, a split level, or 2-story, it falls into one of the following 3 architectural styles.
Traditional doesn’t necessarily mean old!
On the contrary, the traditional style is a judicious blend of architectural styles that have evolved over time according to shifting trends.
You like this look? These are 9x7 Garage Doors, in Classic Mix Pattern and Desert Sand Color
If you like carved kitchen cabins, multi-pained windows, and stained glass, the Traditional style is Your Style. If you buy clothes, cars, furniture not too flashy but well-made that won’t look out of style in 10-15 years, Traditional Style definitely suits you.
One-story bungalows or two-story cottages are classics that are distinguished by borrowing from the most diverse architectural trends. One could also describe this style as classic and harmonious.
You like this look? These are 9x8 Garage Doors, in Prestige XL Pattern, Moka Brown Color and with Cachet Windows
Contemporary or Moderne Style:
This architectural style is increasing in popularity these days.
It is recognized by the use of Dark Colors and also by its Earthy Hues that elegantly coordinate together.
You like this look? These are 9x7 Garage Doors, in VOG Pattern, Black Color, and with Right Side Harmony Windows
These are styles that have elements sometimes surprising in size.
Contemporary style is defined by the balance of forms, purity of lines and simplicity.
A final noticeable characteristic bestowed by architects is large windows that seem to extend the interior of the house to the outside .
You like this look? These are 6x8.5 and 16x8.5 CALIFORNIA Garage Doors, Black Aluminum Frame, and with Satin Glass Windows
Image: Interior Design Magazine
This architectural style is found especially outside the big cities. You will know as soon as you see one if carriage house garage doors are for you.
You like this look? These are PRINCETON P-21 Garage Doors (X-Shaped Overlays), Chocolate Walnut doors & overlays, and with 8 lite Panoramic windows
The carriage-house style is distinguished by the use of traditional architectural elements such as dormers, cornices and large porches where one can enjoy being outside during cool summer evenings. It is also recognizable due to its gridded multi-pane windows and projecting roofs.
Garage doors especially designed to enhance these homesare tribute to the swing doors of yesteryear. Theiroverlays, either they areA-Shaped, V-Shaped, or X-Shaped create splendid and the deluxe barn effect.
You like this look? These are Vantage SHAKER-CS LONG Garage Doors , Dark Walnut Color door & overlays, windows with Stockton Insert, and decorative hardware.
You now must know that garage doors are way more elaborated than the bit bland, traditionally embossed, white garage door.
In fact, here at Crosby Garage Door, we offer 38 different door designs in 12 colors and more than 100 window possibilities.
For now. Since garage doors add such charm and value to your home, the garage door manufacturers follow design & architecture new tendencies as well as color trends.
Question #2 – What Color Better Suits You?
There are some global color trends that influence home styles. Newcomers bring different ideas and that adds diversity.
As for current color trends, say that for the last 5 to 7 years, darker, earth colors, for instance Moka Brown, Charcoal, and Sandstone, are trendy.
We are all a little nostalgic for the past, and we want to ground ourselves to something solid! We are also looking for materials close to nature, but... that don’t require any maintenance, of course!
These 5 colors mimic the appearance of a wooden garage door, without the maintenance wood needs
3) Dark Walnut
4) Cherry
5) The Brand New Iron Ore Walnut
The trendiest color at this time is Black.
You like this look? This is a EASTMAN E-11 Garage Door, Black door & overlays, and with 4 lite Panoramic windows
A black garage door sends the message that you prefer a style that is simple, elegant and just modern enough.
Since it is sooo trendy, you will find Black garage doorsnot only in modern patterns, but also in traditional and carriage-house patterns.
Black fits very well with dark gray homes with natural stone or faux stone siding, or simply because you are looking for a garage with a monochromatic style. Black also provides a striking contrast to a house painted white or one in red brick .
As you probably know, fashion designers will tell you that black is thinning, and it’s the most popular color. Why? Basically, black completely absorbs light waves, not reflecting a single one.
By optical illusion, Black gives an impression of thinness.
If you have a double garage door and you don’t want it to "steal the show", Black will "shrink" the perceived size of the door.
One thing you must not forget though if you choose a Black Garage Door – Black absorbs the sun’s warmth. Since a single garage door is around 9x7 (double garage door 16x7), imagine the wide Black surface you have!
In fact, it can become very hot during the summertime. Hot enough for your kids to get burned if they lean on it. You ought to know before buying one since a good quality garage door will last around 20 years.
If you want to move to a more neutral color, white, sand or claystone can fit the bill and are a good choice. A neutral color can assist you in directing people’s attention toward other elements of your home’s exterior, such as your landscaping.
Windows: More personality & More Light too!
There are 2 main reasons to add windows to your garage door, letting natural light into the garage, for sure. But very often, it is also to enhance a particular style. Based on your home’s architecture and the garage door design that best complements there are hundreds of windows!
When choosing Your Garage Windows – Trust us. You WANT Windows! 20 Years is a long time to regret something that adds so much character & light for so cheap!
So for Your Garage Door Windows, You Have 3 Things to Choose?
1) The Layout:
From the most Unusual to the truly Popular that made it to Classical Fame. You can have Double or Single Right or Left Side Harmony Windows. You could have Outer Sections Harmony Windows. You can have the all-time Classic Upper Section Windows, but also 3rd Section.
2) Decorative Inserts or Not?:
A bit more Traditional or Carriage-House Styles, they add elegance and distinctiveness to your home.
3) The Type of Glass:
Depending of the intimacy level you want and the style you want, there are many types of glass.
Whatever tastes you have; you'll find the window model that will add a touch of elegance to your home and match your personality.
Sooo... We bet You didn’t Think Garage Doors Were So Elaborated! You might even feel a bit overwhelmed right now?
Don’t be! But since a good garage door will last more than 20 years, here what you could do.
Contact a garage door dealer near you. They are best qualified to give you proper guidance to make your garage door a true reflection of your personality.
If you’d like, Crosby Garage Doors can easily provide you with a quotation by email.
You can also visit our showroom get inspired by our garage door models and get advice too.
Give us a call at 724-834-8450, we will be happy to guide you all through your journey.
You love cell phone apps?
Than you got to try our Design Centre to pick out the door style that fits you perfectly, you can even try your favorite ones on a photo of your home!
You need ideas first?
Lots of gorgeous residential garage door waiting for you here, so take a look!
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