Residential Garage Doors: Types, Materials, and Features That Add Value to Your Home
Have you spent years dealing with a faulty garage door that won’t close properly unless you manually force it shut? Is there an unsightly dent from when you accidentally drove into it? Does it look worn out and shabby?
Maybe it’s time you finally updated it. But there are a lot of options on the market! What kind of residential garage door should you choose?
After all, the door you choose affects more than you might think. Not only do you want something that looks nice and works smoothly, but you also have to think about how it will affect the energy efficiency and security of your home!
At Shank Door, we have been in the garage door business for over 60 years, so we know a thing or two about what makes a garage door a good investment.
Today, we’d like to share some of our expertise with you so that you can make an informed decision about your garage door choices.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Popular Styles of Residential Garage Doors
Although some homeowners use roll-up garage doors if they have limited ceiling space, those types of doors are usually reserved for commercial spaces. The vast majority of residential garages have sectional garage doors, which are comprised of horizontal panels that slide up and overhead. They’re practical, customizable, and available in a wide range of materials and styles.
Here are some of the most popular sectional garage door styles.
Interested in a garage door with a traditional look? Choose a garage door with a classic panel design, such as:
- Raised panel doors
- Shaker panel doors
- Recessed panel doors
These classic doors often feature windows in the top panel of the garage door.
If your home has a modern style, you'll want a modern garage door to complement it. Contemporary residential garage door styles include:
- Glass and aluminum full-view doors
- Smooth flush panel doors
- Horizontal plank faux-wood doors
- Sleek, dark, sterling doors
These doors often feature windows in unique places, such as on the second-from-the-top panel, along the side, or over the entire structure. They also often utilize a “flush panel” design that creates a sleek look by making the dip between panels all but invisible.
The Vintage Look
Before overhead garage doors were invented, people used wide carriage doors on their garages. Although vintage carriage doors are highly impractical compared to overhead garage doors, if you like the look, you can buy modern garage doors that feature stamped panels designed to look just like vintage carriage doors.
Finally, if you want the most beautiful, high-quality garage doors on the block, you can invest in handcrafted wooden garage doors. Handcrafted doors are fully customizable, allowing you to get exactly what you want, and they offer unmatched beauty and durability.
For more information about handcrafted doors, read our related blog post: Eight Reasons to Consider Custom Garage Doors for Your Home.
Garage Door Material Options
The material of your garage door affects not only its appearance but also its durability, maintenance, and energy efficiency. Here are the most common materials used in residential garage doors:
Steel: Popular for its strength, affordability, and low maintenance. Steel can be insulated and painted in various colors or textures to mimic wood grain.
Wood: Offers natural beauty and timeless appeal. While it requires more upkeep and is more expensive, it’s ideal for homeowners who prioritize aesthetics.
Vinyl: Resistant to dents, rust, and corrosion, vinyl is a great low-maintenance option. However, it offers fewer design choices than wood or steel.
Aluminum and Glass: For a sleek, modern look, aluminum frames with glass panels are a contemporary option. These doors let in natural light but may not provide as much insulation.
Insulation Options for Energy Efficiency
If you care about long-term energy savings, it’s worth it to consider the overall energy efficiency of your home. This is particularly important if you use the garage as a workspace or home office. Still, even if you only use it as a parking spot for your car, an insulated garage door can lower heat transfer to your interior or the room above the garage. Overall, insulated doors:
- Help regulate garage temperatures in both hot and cold seasons
- Reduce energy bills by easing the load on your HVAC system
- Provide better soundproofing and durability
When shopping, look for doors with a higher R-value, which indicates better insulation performance.
Curb Appeal and Home Value
There aren’t many things that negatively affect the curb appeal of a home more than an unsightly garage door. If it looks like it’s taken a beating, it brings down the look and value of the whole property. And trust us—no home buyer will be excited about a garage door that doesn’t work well, or that looks like an easy entry point for thieves!
On the other hand, a stylish, secure, well-functioning garage door will significantly enhance your curb appeal and increase your home’s resale value. In fact, according to The Journal of Light Construction’s Cost vs. Value Report, updating your garage door is the most valuable home update you can do, recouping 194% of the cost!
Just remember that when updating the door, it’s vital to match the style of the garage door to your home’s architectural features. A contemporary door will look silly on a traditional house, and traditional garage doors break the illusion on a vintage-style house when compared to imitation carriage doors.
Price Considerations for Residential Garage Doors
Let’s look at how these various garage door considerations pan out in terms of cost.
Material and Style
If you’re on a budget, a basic steel sectional garage door will get the job done at a reasonable price. However, if you go too cheap, you may deal with a faulty opening system in a few years, so invest in a quality product and professional installation.
Any add-ons, such as windows, imitation carriage doors, or faux wood, will increase the cost. Still, it may be worth it to you to get the look you’re going for, and if it enhances the look of your home, you’ll recoup some of that cost if you decide to sell.
Insulation
In general, the higher R-value your door has, the more it will cost. This may pay off in energy savings, or it may not, depending on your particular garage situation. For advice on which R-value would be most cost-effective for your specific situation, consult a garage door expert.
Heirloom Value
“Heirloom garage doors” is not a phrase you hear often. But if you’re designing a priceless home full of character and charm, the only way to get garage doors that fit that aesthetic is to invest in a handcrafted wooden garage door.
Although wooden doors require more maintenance than some other materials, can you imagine a steel or vinyl door still being used in 100 years? Even if it still technically works, you can expect styles to change long before that.
For truly timeless value, nothing beats custom wood.
Smart Garage Door Openers and Security Features
Finally, when considering your garage door options, don’t forget smart openers and security features!
- Smart openers allow you to open, close, and monitor your garage door from your smartphone.
- Some systems integrate with Amazon, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit for voice control.
- Features like automatic closing, motion detection lights, and rolling-code technology help prevent unauthorized access.
If security and convenience are top priorities, investing in smart garage technology is a wise move.
Where to Find High-Quality Residential Garage Doors in Pennsylvania
Choosing the right residential garage door involves more than just picking something that looks good. You’ll want to consider durability, insulation, functionality, and smart features that meet your lifestyle needs. Whether you're drawn to a classic carriage-style wood door or a modern steel door, the right choice will add lasting value to your home.
If you live near Berks County, PA, and need help finding the perfect fit for your garage, reach out to Shank Door!
We’ve been in the garage door business since the 1950s, and we’ve seen it all. With our expertise, we can help you choose and install the garage door that fits your home, lifestyle, and personal taste. And if you run into any issues, we also service garage doors!
Beyond residential and commercial garage doors, we also sell:
Don’t hesitate—contact us today to have a meaningful conversation about your garage door vision.