Thinking about adding a bit of personality to your home? Interested in increasing the curb appeal of your house so it will sell faster? Whatever the situation, you need to think about your garage door. It’s one of the first things your neighbors see, but it’s also one of the first things a prospective buyer will see when driving up to the property.
You’ll frequently hear real estate agents explaining that in order to get the best price for your home, it needs to look it’s best. Consider the fact that your garage door makes up between 25 to 40% of your home’s façade and it becomes clear that it should blend in with the rest of your home’s style and design.
There’s also the fact that you really should at least like your garage door – you should appreciate its style and design as much as you do the new car you purchased. If you’re not quite in love with your garage door, you want to add some style, or it’s time to bump up its value for a faster sale, here are a few things that you can do.
Clean It Off
Perhaps the single most important thing to do (and probably the simplest tip on this list) is to regularly clean off the garage door. This really doesn’t require much in the way of extra effort – a bit of soap, a sponge, and a water hose is all you’ll need. You can even incorporate this chore with washing your car to make things even simpler. If you want to make sure that your door stays looking good, add a light coat of wax. Of course, if you have stains that need to be removed, you can learn more about the steps to take by reading this.
Slap Some Paint On
Over time, the paint on your garage door is going to start looking a little worse for the wear. A quick coat of new paint can be very rejuvenating. Not sure where to start with a garage door paint job? If you’re looking to change the color of a metal sectional garage door, these instructions will help
We’ve also got a few additional tips for you:
- You’ll find that most major paint manufacturers offer online Design Centres where you can see how the different colors will look. Here are three of our favorites:
- While style and design tastes might vary, consider the following:
- If your garage door is 16 feet wide or wider, you’ll want to stay away from dark colors. This is because the darker and larger the door, the more it will dominate the view. Opt for a lighter color instead.
- If your door is between 8 and 9 feet in width, feel free to go with any color you like. However, colors that are too bright will attract too much attention.
- If possible, make sure that you coordinate the color of your garage door with that of your front door and even your shutters. Alternatively, you can do the opposite if you’d prefer.
Decorative Windows Can Make a Difference
If you’re looking for a way to seriously change how your garage door looks, adding decorative windows is certainly it. You’ll also find that there are both practical and aesthetic benefits that come with the process.
In terms of practicality, adding decorative windows increases the amount of natural light that is allowed into the garage. That can be important for any number of reasons, whether you use the garage for storage, for crafting, or for business purposes. In terms of aesthetics, you’ll find that you can add decorative windows that share the style and design of your home’s windows, which can allow you to create a more cohesive aesthetic for your entire home
Of course, adding windows to a door that does not already have windows can create some issues. One of those is that it adds weight, and can unbalance your garage door. Here’s what you need to know about the effect on your door’s spring/counterbalance system.
Adding Exterior Embellishments
If you’re looking for a way to improve the curb appeal and appearance of your garage door, there are plenty of embellishments that can help. For example, you can add a pergola to the top of the door, and then encourage climbing plants to colonize the space.
You can also choose to go other routes. For instance, you’ll find a host of exterior accent lighting options out there that can allow you to improve the look and feel of your home. From rustic to chic, there’s an exterior light design for every aesthetic. Tie that into the rest of your home by adding the same lights to your porch, or to flank your entry doors. Not sure what “your style” might be? You can get some excellent ideas by browsing Pinterest to see what other people have pinned.
Getting Festive
You’ll discover a host of holidays and special events throughout the year that let you amp up your style. You can add Christmas, Halloween, Easter and even sports‑event related decorations to your home’s exterior – including the garage door. Check Pinterest to get some more ideas.
Maintaining the Door
We’ve covered a lot of ways to improve the look of your garage door, but you also need to pay attention to functionality. It should be professionally maintained at all times to make sure that it works properly, doesn’t make too much noise, and doesn’t present a safety hazard.
Need a Bit of Help?
If you find that you need a little help changing your entire garage door system, contact us. You can reach us at 508-875-3508. We can run through your options, explain different choices and installation options, and more. We’d be happy to email you a quote, or you can stop into our showroom in person. You can also use our Design Centre or our image gallery to further refine your options.
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