Factors to Consider When Buying a Garage Door

Garage doors represent a significant part of your home’s exterior. This means that it is important to choose a door that adds aesthetic value to your home and functions properly. To learn more about factors to consider when buying doors for your garage, read on.

Resistance to Wind Load

If you live in an area where strong gusts of wind are common, choose a garage door that can resist strong wind loads. This is especially true if you are planning to buy a garage door with a large surface area. The rule of thumb is to ask retailers and suppliers for wind load data. You do not want to meet with a flying overhead door when you open the front door.

Insulation

A garage door that allows cold air to seep indoors is not a good choice. According to the Desert Research Institute, Reno, Nevada, an overhead door without insulation cannot serve as an efficient buffer against cold winter air.The rule of thumb is to choose a door that has one to two inches of insulation between the panels. In addition, check out the U-factor and the R-value. In general, the higher the R-value means better insulation. Alternatively, you can attach a polystyrene panel to the inside of your door. This way, you will keep your house warm and energy bills low.

Warranty

Warranties vary depending on the manufacturer. In addition, door parts such as motors might have different guarantees. Take note that most warranties are subject to proper installation and operation of the garage door. Go through the warranty with a fine toothcomb before you commit yourself and shell out money. Some suppliers and manufacturers ask for the receipt issued at the time of buying a garage door. Keep your receipt in a safe place so that you can easily produce proof of sale.

When it comes to buying a garage door, you should take into account the insulation, warranty and resistance to wind load. Shop around and compare prices before you make a purchase. You might be surprised to find a cheaper supplier offering the same doors elsewhere.