Which Type of Garage Door is Best for My Home?

Garage doors represent as much as 30% of a home's exterior, making them a fundamental influence on overall curb appeal. It’s important to choose a garage door style that will complement your facade without becoming a focal point. 

Certain garage door styles may be best suited to your exterior. In this article, we will explore which type of garage door will be best suited for your home as well as what to look for when choosing a garage door.

What Type of Home Do You Have?

1. RANCH

Ranch homes, typically characterized by single-level designs and open-concept layouts, are one of the most popular home styles in the US. We recommend choosing a classic, subtle style garage door for a modest facade. For a contemporary application, add dimension with a planks door. 

2. CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary style exteriors offer more creativity and striking elements than modern architecture. Often featuring asymmetrical details and plenty of natural light, it's not surprising that these homes are considered the most eye-catching exterior style.

Infuse style and character to every aspect of your contemporary home. Choose from the industrial full-view aluminum, ultra-sleek sterling, smooth, minimalist skyline flush, or textured planks. 

3. TUDOR

Inspired by late Medieval and early Renaissance architectural styles, Tudor homes are characterized by stucco exteriors and decorative half-timbering. Overlay garage doors best accompany this classic style exterior - choose between our faux wood overlay style, Shoreline, natural wood, or steel. 

4. CRAFTSMAN

The craftsman home is known for its covered front porch, tapered columns supporting the roof, and mixed stone or brick exterior materials. These exteriors are quite versatile depending on the look you're going for. There are several garage door styles that will complement your craftsman facade. Some examples that would work are raised panel, recessed panel, stamped carriage house. 

5. MODERN FARMHOUSE

The modern farmhouse home style has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, whether that be exterior design elements or even interior decor. These homes are typically all white, featuring a covered porch, an abundance of windows, and black or natural wood trim. 

Carriage house doors are the most popular style garage door in modern farmhouse architecture. Carriage house doors give the appearance of old-fashioned barn doors. Though some prefer a solid color, others get creative with Accents Wood tones or natural wood. If you're leaning more towards a modern design, you can also consider a sleek Full-View Aluminum glass garage door. 

6. COLONIAL

A colonial home is most easily identified by its symmetrical structure and simple, rectangular shape. It's important to choose a garage door that will reflect these characteristics without taking away from your home's historic charm. It is recommended to choose a classic, modest style that goes with the timeless aspect of a colonial home, such as raised panel, stamped carriage house, or steel overlay carriage house. 

7. MEDITERRANEAN

Popular in Southern California and the Southwest, Mediterranean-style homes typically feature plaster or stucco exterior surfaces and tiled roofs. Wood garage doors aesthetically pair well with this style of home. However, faux wood tones are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners not wanting to deal with the maintenance of real wood. Some recommendations for Mediterranean-style homes would be raised panel, stamped shaker, wood overlay carriage house, or shoreline. 

Which Type of Garage Door Material Should I Choose? 

The material you choose for your garage door can be based on a combination of style preferences, maintenance considerations, and durability. Steel garage doors can be a great choice for durability. Our ultra-grain finish can provide the beautiful appearance of wood without the upkeep of natural wood.

When a natural look is the most important factor, nothing beats the classic look of a wood garage door. There are many wood doors in a variety of species like a redwood with styles ranging from raised panel to modern. If you are seeking a one-of-a-kind curb appeal, choose a fully custom handcrafted garage door that is sure to add your personality to your home's exterior.

When clean lines and natural light is needed, aluminum and glass can be a excellent choice. Full-view style doors can modernize your home while also helping to bring the outside in by providing plentiful sunlight. This provides just the right degree of privacy with a variety of glass obscurity options.

What Size Garage Door Do I Need?

When it comes to buying a garage door, the first thing to consider is the size of your door. For many homes, a single-car garage door is 8 to 9 feet wide and 7 to 8 feet high. Double-car garage doors are typically 16 feet wide, with a height of 7 to 8 feet. 

If your garage is built to accommodate a taller vehicle, such as a heavy-duty truck or recreational vehicle, your garage door could be 10 feet tall or more. If your garage door is a non-standard size, don't worry! Uplift offers garage doors in a variety of sizes, and we also offer garage door collections that accommodate custom sizing.

What’s Next? 

Choosing the right garage door for your home doesn’t stop at the garage door itself. There are many accessories and features to choose from that will help you update an existing door or enhance your new one. Hardware, like simulated windows and hinge and handle sets, will add an aesthetic touch to your garage door without any major renovations. 

Home automation systems are also an important consideration when choosing your new garage door. Your garage door opener may be equipped with WiFi so you can connect it to your smartphone or tablet. Other smart features include remote keyless entry and door monitoring for your convenience and peace of mind. 

At Uplift, our team can help you choose the best garage door for your home. We also provide installation and repair services so you can keep your garage door running smoothly! Contact us today.