Are you considering upgrading your garage door for improved functionality or curb appeal for your Chicago home? In this blog entry, the professional Chicago garage door installation team here at Garage Door Repair Chicago will detail the basics behind determining your ideal garage door specifications.
Garage Door Sizing
It’s absolutely essential to determine the proper sizing for your garage door. This will ensure that your garage Aesthetics are up to par, But also ensure that it remains properly functional. start with measuring the height and width of your garage opening. The majority of garage doors are 8 to 15 ft wide and 7 to 8 ft tall. however there are many different kinds of custom garage doors that can be measured to fit your specific needs. In addition, you need to consider what you’re going to use your garage for. If you want to use your garage for other things besides parking your car, like as a workshop or as a storage space, it might be a better idea to have higher ceilings and extra clearance.
Garage Door Height and Width Measurements
Usually residential garage doors are 7 ft tall. However, garage doors should be taller if you have a larger vehicle like a van, truck, or suv. if you have one of these vehicles you should get a garage door that’s at least 8 ft high. it’s essential that your garage door is wide enough to accommodate whatever vehicle you have, or whatever sort of equipment you might be moving in and out of the garage in the future. start by measuring the widest possible part of your vehicle and make sure that your garage door is at least a few inches wider than this. you want to make sure that there’s enough room to maneuver your vehicle and that it’s not an extremely tight fit.
Garage Door Materials
There’s a wide range of materials that garage doors are constructed out of. The most common materials that you can purchase a garage door in are steel, wood, and composite material. Steel garage doors are incredibly durable while also being affordable. they’re available in a different variety of finishes and styles, making them a fantastic choice for homes of all styles. Steel garage doors don’t require much maintenance, and are resistant to cracking, rotting, and warping. The steel garage door can wear over time, and can be dented.
Wooden garage doors are very warm and aesthetically appealing. they can be designed to match the specific style of your home, and provide fantastic insulation, ensuring temperature regulation. wooden garage doors require maintenance including painting and staining to protect them against weather damage or more serious issues like warping or rotting.
Composite material garage doors can be considered a hybrid of the major benefits of wood and steel garage doors. they’re made from a lot of different materials like resin, and even wood fibers, providing the appearance of load without its rigorous maintenance requirements. composite material garage doors are highly durable, are resistant to corrosion, warping, and denting, and usually come with extended warranties. We usually recommend the installation of composite garage doors due to their immense benefits versus financial value.
Energy Efficiency and Security
It’s important to also consider security when choosing your garage door. We recommend garage door models that have strong locks, and rolling coat technology which ensures that a new access code is generated every time you open or close your door, in order to prevent unauthorized entry or hacking. We additionally recommend purchasing a garage door that’s made of reinforced panels and has tamper resistant lower brackets.
Another important consideration is whether your garage door is insulated. Insulated garage doors improve the Energy Efficiency of your home, allowing your heating or cooling system to work more efficiently. properly insulated garage doors lower heat transfer levels and ensure that your HVAC system isn’t strained or overworked. We recommend looking for garage doors that have a high R-value, a measurement that indicates insulation properties. We additionally recommend weather sealing your garage. Installing a weather seal around the perimeter of your garage door stops dust, particulate matter, garbage, pests, and drafts from entering your garage – and your home, if it is also attached The airtight seal of weather sealant additionally increases the Energy Efficiency of your property.
