"Clothes make the man" is a common expression when it comes to fashion. It can also apply to your garage door and the aesthetics of your home.
When you pull up to your house and into the driveway, the first thing you are going to see is your garage door. If you're someone with a two, three, or four-car garage, it's going to take up even more space and be more prominent.
You don't have to take our word for it. Consider a situation where you have decided to relocate into a new location and you need to buy a new home for the family.
After you find a neighborhood that meets your needs, the next step is to look at some houses. As you're walking up to the home to meet the realtor, what are you going to notice most from the sidewalk? It's the same thing as before: the garage door will stand out.
Now that you have an idea of how much a garage affects the look of your home, let's go deeper into what that all really means for you.
You may have never thought to consider whether you have a garage door that you're proud of, but you should!
Consider whether you like the look of your garage door as it is now. Think about whether it showcases your unique personality and style.
You might realize when thinking about your garage door that it isn't offering the best representation of who you are. This could lead to a realization that you need to make some changes to rectify that.
The good news is that there is one great reason to have a garage with the right look. There are also only two steps to getting precisely that.
Are you wondering why your personality should be shown through your garage door?
There's a simple reason: MONEY!
The garage door on your home is a massive part of what people see when they visit. It's even more distinctive and noticeable if it's located in front of the house and faces the nearest street.
If you go back to what we talked about earlier, you know that the impression of your house by friends, relatives, and neighbors relies on how your garage door looks.
Even if the inside of your home is pristine and flawless, having a dirty and unattractive garage door can lead to a less than fantastic impression.
The good news is that replacing your garage door or making your current door look better can also make your home look better than ever.
You don't have to trust us. The National Association of Realtors in the United States has indicated that when you put a 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?
That's not all. Real estate agents will also explain that having a garage door that stands out in a good way can allow you to receive up to 4% more when someone makes the purchase.
There's also another essential statistic to know about.
Based on 2018's 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.
When you look at all the information, it might help you realize it's time to make a change when it comes to your garage door.
#1 Question – What kind of architectural style is present in your current home?
Sure, you may now know that having an attractive garage door is a must. However, it can be more challenging to decide where to start with that desire in mind.
This can be answered in part by thinking about what architectural style your home already has. Having a link between the house’s architectural style and the design of the garage door you choose can ensure a great look.
To make this a more straightforward process, consider that all the homes today can fall into one of three styles. It doesn't matter if you have a one-story ranch, a split level house, or a two-story home, it's going to match one of these styles of architecture.
Traditional Style:
Some people think traditional style means old, but that isn't the case!
What traditional style actually offers is a blend of several architectural styles. This style evolves as time goes on and different trends become available for homes.
If you are someone who loves stained glass, appreciates carved kitchen cabinets, and wants multi-paned windows, traditional style offers you all of that and more.
Are you less worried that your clothes and car are flashy and more concerned that they are made well and will stay in style for 10 years or more? You're someone who would do well with traditional style architecture.
You like this look? These are 9x8 Garage Doors, in Classic Mix Pattern and Desert Sand Color
Classic two-story homes or one-story bungalows can often be seen using several architectural trends to offer a harmonious atmosphere. The traditional style is also known as the classic style for a good reason!
You like this look? These are 9x8 Garage Doors, in Prestige XL Pattern , Moka Brown Color and with Cachet Windows
Contemporary or Modern Style:
Modern or contemporary architectural styles are increasing in popularity as time goes on. It might be the right style for your needs.
You'll know that you're looking at modern style when you see a large number of dark colors combined with earth-based hues that mix and match together for a defined aesthetic.
You like this look? These are 9x8 Garage Doors, in VOG Pattern , Black Color, and with Right Side Harmony Windows
With contemporary architecture, you can expect elements that may be surprising in terms of size.
When you look at a modern style home, you'll notice pure lines, balanced forms, and a simplicity that pulls everything together.
You like this look? These are 6x8.5 and 16x8.5 CALIFORNIA Garage Doors, Black Aluminum Frame, and with Sandblasted Glass Windows
Also, one of the architectural characteristics with this home style is the presence of massive windows, which seem to place part of the interior into the outdoor space.
Country-Style Look:
A country-style look is typically going to be seen in houses that are in rural areas away from large cities.
Image: Interior Design Magazine
With a country or carriage-style home, it has many traditional architectural elements such as dormers, cornices, and large porches. These are locations where you can spend time outside when the weather is beautiful.
Other things that this house style offers are gridded multi-pane windows and projecting roofs.
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 garage doors that are designed for a country home often bear a resemblance to old swing doors. They will have overlays that are X-shaped, A-shaped, V-shaped, or square to create the look and feel of a deluxe barn that compliments the home design.
You like this look? This is a CAMBRIDGE CC Garage Door, Ice White door & overlays, and with 4 lite Panoramic windows
As soon as you take a look at a carriage house garage door, you'll know whether it's the right option for your home.
You like this look? These are Vantage SHAKER-CS LONG Garage Doors, Dark Walnut Color door & overlays, windows with Stockton Insert, and decorative hardware
By now, you realize that a garage door can be far more than a boring white embossed door. When you work with Laurent Overhead Door Systems, we can provide different door designs in a selection of many colors and with more than 100 window possibilities.
And that's only what's available today!
There are always new garage door designs and architecture, as well as new colors to use. It only makes sense when a garage door adds value and elegance to any home.
#2 Question – Which color is right for your garage door?
When it comes to the various architectural style of homes, different styles are popular in different periods. Some styles will be seen everywhere for a while, but then something new will come out and take its place.
This happens because many architects and designers are working with clients who want to add a "very special personality" to their new home. This can be the case even when massive renovations are planned.
Another factor that impacts architectural styles by period is worldwide trends. Sometimes a newcomer will come on the market with an innovative idea that leads to more diverse options.
Are you wondering what the current trends are? Over the last half-decade, darker, earth colors have been popular. These include options like Sandston, Moka Brown, and Charcoal.
All of us can get nostalgic about times in the past, and we want to have things around that ground us and are dependable. Many people also appreciate materials that resemble elements in nature, but without the need for regular maintenance tasks.
When you want the appearance of a wood garage door without all the maintenance required by wood, these five colors are great choices:
- Chocolate Walnut
- American Walnut
- Dark Walnut
- Cherry
- The Brand New Iron Ore Walnut
These paints are polyester-based and factory-baked-on but provide the same aesthetics as a traditional wood garage door!
When it comes to popularity, the top color right now is Black .
You like this look? This is an EASTMAN E-11 Garage Door, Black door & overlays, and with 4 lite Panoramic windows
When you choose a black garage door, you show off a style that is modern and elegant while still looking simple and straightforward.
One of the best things about black being trendy is that you can find many garage door styles not only in modern patterns but also in traditional and carriage-house patterns.
There are a variety of homes that fit well with black garage doors. Darker gray homes that have faux or natural stone siding look great in this combination. The doors also work well if you appreciate a monochromatic style.
Those who have red brick homes or a house painted white will also find black is a beautiful contrast to the home.
Anyone who knows about fashion can tell you that black is thinning, which is part of what makes it such a popular option. Why?
Unlike other colors that reflect light waves, pure black is unique and can entirely absorb light instead. Black, which is the opposite of white, also offers the feeling of thinness through optical illusion.
If you own a double garage door and you don't want it to "steal the show", Black will "shrink" the perceived size of the door.
Just don't forget that choosing a black garage door means that the door will absorb warmth from the sun.
With double garage doors measuring about 16x7 and single garage doors being around 9x7, that's a sizeable full surface of nothing but black.
In fact, it can become scorching during the summertime. Hot enough for your kids to get burned if they lean on it.
Keep in mind before you buy one that a good quality garage door will last around 20 years.
Those who are more interested in neutral colors will find that white, sand, or beige work well for your preferences.
You can also find a variety of colors that coordinate well with others and don't stand out like a blazing red or a burnt orange door would.
When you go with a neutral hue, it can help you bring other elements of your exterior to the attention of visitors.
Add light and a touch of style with garage door windows!
While you already realize that windows in the garage will let in more natural light, that isn't the only thing they are suitable for. Choosing the right windows for the space can also let you show off your style.
There are hundreds of windows that you can choose from, regardless of your garage door design or your house's architecture.
Ask any garage door expert and they will tell you that windows are something you want to have. Since the door can last for 20 years or more, it's an inexpensive addition that adds light and style.
The three things to choose when selecting garage door windows:
1. The Layout: There is a wide variety of layouts you can choose for your windows. Everything from left side, to right side, or dual-sided windows are available. You can also select upper section windows, third section windows, and more.
2. Whether to Add Decorative Inserts: For carriage house styles and traditional homes, decorative inserts are a good choice. They make your home more unique and elegant.
3. The Type of Glass: Think about the style you're interested in and how much privacy you want, because there are many types of glass that you can choose from.
No matter what your taste, there is sure to be a model of window that matches who you are and adds beauty to the space.
Did you know garage doors had so many options? Don't worry; there's no reason for you to feel overwhelmed.
Choices are good!
Since you're choosing a garage door that can last for 20 years, you can do the following:
Contact us! Ours professionals can offer guidance and advice to ensure the garage door you choose meets your need and reflects who you are as a person. At Laurent Overhead Door Systems, we can offer you a quotation by email.
Are you a fan of mobile apps?
If so, you can spend time at our Design Centre. You can choose the door style that calls out to you or upload a photo of your home to see how different styles fit.
Searching for ideas to get started?
Lots of gorgeous residential garage door waiting for you here, so spend some time browsing the possibilities!
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