Homeowners looking to sell their homes or just looking to increase the attractiveness of their house for buyers should look into improving one of the most important parts of homeownership: the garage door. It exposes your car(s) and belongings to potential thieves, making your house look less appealing on the outside.
Very little can be done with a standard garage door, but it is relatively simple to install a new garage door that looks more modern and attractive than what was on there before. It can also help install windows on the doors, allowing those who don’t want to pay to replace the door completely.
However, to have one of these doors installed, you will need to spend some money. The amount can range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on whether or not you use a window installation service. This is a significant amount of money, but any homeowner needs to keep in mind that having an upgraded garage door can help increase the house’s value.
Enhanced Curb Appeal
Upgraded garage doors are a simple way of increasing the value of your home. The curb appeal that an upgraded garage door provides is almost immeasurable in its ability to boost the value of any property. While many aspects determine how much money you can get for your home when selling, things like walking distance to schools, safety, property size, and several bedrooms are all considered. However, you can’t always change or control these factors. You do have total control over the curb appeal that your home provides, though. Upgraded garage doors make an average house look like a million bucks.
It doesn’t matter if you already have the fanciest automatic lift-master garage door opener money can buy; if the garage door itself isn’t upgraded, your home will never get the full value. Garage doors are one of the most commonly seen and used aspects of a home. Furthermore, they can be ornamental or functional. Decorative garage doors add an immense amount to your curb appeal while also providing insulation and security for you and all other residents in your home. The following are some garage doors that will make your house look like a million bucks.
Doors made of steel or aluminum create an incredible first impression on all who pass by your home. The sleekness and shine of these materials are unmatched for beauty both inside and out. A garage door made from these luxurious metals can be ornamental or functional. It will add an air of distinction and elegance to any property.
A garage door made from glass is another popular upgrade that can be ornamental and functional. A glass garage door can provide a view into your home while allowing the maximum sunlight possible. Furthermore, a glass garage door looks clean and crisp, giving off an air of luxury and beauty.
A garage door made from composite material is a perfect way to increase the value of your home without having to spend too much money. Composite doors are solid, yet they cost a fraction of a steel or aluminum garage door. They look fabulous no matter the color you choose and offer strength and insulation.
Energy Efficiency
Homeowners are always trying to find ways to increase the value of their homes, for example, by incorporating home drywall installation. However, one of the most common ways to do this is by increasing the house’s energy efficiency. With an upgraded garage door, homeowners can improve both the aesthetics and functionality of their garage, which will increase the overall value of their home.
The average homeowner adds three to eight percent on the value of their home just by including a new garage door. A more energy-efficient garage and less drafty than the old one will appeal to potential buyers and keep its value over time. The average garage door accounts for 35 percent of a home’s heating and 12 percent cooling losses. A more efficient garage door will help keep the temperature inside the house within a comfortable range and prevent the loss of energy that can cause heating and cooling bills to go up. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an upgraded garage door can save homeowners between 30 and 50 percent off their monthly utility bills.
Recent technological advancements have made it even easier for homeowners to increase the energy efficiency of their garages. The most environmentally-friendly option is to go with an insulated steel garage door, which garage door contractors build with recycled steel and is later sealed to provide maximum insulation. Other options include polyurethane foam insulation, wood overlay garage doors, and garages with a radiant barrier.
Upgrading to a new garage door is one of the easiest ways homeowners can increase their home’s energy efficiency. This will make their home worth more, but utility bills will also be lower for years to come.
Security And Safety
The appeal of upgrading your home can’t be ignored. However, many homeowners aren’t sure if the investment is worth it. When it comes to making an improvement that will greatly influence your house’s overall value and appearance, you should consider replacing the garage door with a new one.
Garage doors make up 15% of the entire entry points of a house. Thus, it is crucial to keep this door in its best condition since there are high chances that burglars will try to exploit the vulnerability of any opening doors in your home. The more you can protect your garage by upgrading its security, the better it is for the overall safety of your house.
It’s pertinent to understand that the price of your garage door plays a big role in determining its security and safety. You’re likely to invest more in better-quality doors if you want them to be as safe as possible and keep burglars out. At this point, it’s crucial to mention that there is no such thing as a closed garage door.
However, you can greatly reduce the risk of criminals breaking into your home by opting for a steel door with reinforced side security panels usually made from either solid or perforated steel designed to offer maximum protection against being kicked in or having a crowbar jammed between the jamb and frame. Custom metal garage designers can easily do this. Also, to be on the safe side, install a commercial-grade opener.
Buyers, especially car dealers, will be more attracted to your quality home if you invest in an upgraded garage door that leaves no room for doubt as far as safety and security are concerned. You can always upgrade your garage doors cheaply by adding a stylish walk-in design that includes a window. If you’re looking to sell your home soon, install high-quality garage doors before putting them up on the market.
Boosts Homeowner’s Return on Investment
Return on investment (ROI) measures how much more money a person makes from an upgrade versus the money they put into it. The higher the return, the better it is for that particular project. For example, if a homeowner were to spend $6,000 on upgraded garage doors and got back $3,000 from increased home value, the ROI would be 50 percent.
A homeowner can determine their return on investment by considering what other houses in the area have sold for with and without upgraded garage doors. Another way to calculate the return of an upgrade is by using cost-benefit analysis. This involves adding together the costs before and after a renovation to see which route would be more economical.
A garage door upgrade can typically increase a home’s value by 45 percent. However, a person should keep in mind that other factors could affect this return on investment, such as geographical location, age of the current house, and upgrades such as incorporating a house painting contractor to do something on your walls. This is not to serve as a guarantee but rather as a way to determine whether or not an upgrade would be beneficial.
Functionality
A garage door fitted with a roller shutter system instead of the traditional sectional rolling up type will increase the property value because it adds functionality to your home. You can use this garage door for security and efficient loading and unloading of goods from home. On the other hand, the sectional rolling door can only be used for security purposes. Given this observation, it is easy to see why buyers will pay more for upgraded garage doors because these homes meet their criteria even before they start looking at the property’s interior.
Style
The modern home design is trending toward sleek, streamlined houses with open floor plans incorporated by home builders. People enjoy functional and stylish homes at the same time because it saves them vital space without sacrificing aesthetics. The traditional sectional garage door runs counter to this trend because of its bulky build. On the other hand, roller shutter doors are sleek, stylish, and efficient. The different design will surely pique buyers’ interest because of its modern look.
There are four basic styles for garage doors, each with its advantages and disadvantages: carriage garages, vertical panel doors, sectional overhead doors, and roll-up garage doors.
Carriage Garage Doors: These are the oldest garage doors, and they feature an arched overhead. They can be made out of wood or metal, with the latter being more lightweight and weather resistant. However, since they have a top bar running through their middle section, the carriage garage will require more headroom for your car to fit through.
Vertical Panel Doors: As the name suggests, vertical panel doors are made of panels that run vertically on either side of the door’s overhead frame. Because they typically feature only one large panel at the bottom, these garage doors offer more headroom than their carriage counterparts. They also tend to be more durable than other types of garage doors.
Sectional Garage Doors: This particular style comprises several horizontal panels, which, depending on the manufacturer and model, can be manually or automatically rolled up once your vehicle enters or exits its garage. Sectional garage doors typically have less headroom but are lighter than other garage doors. In addition, they can often be mounted on tracks that will glide across the ceiling, allowing them to clear any obstructions without taking up too much overhead space.
Roll-up Garage Doors: This is another sectional garage door that rolls up vertically once a car enters its garage, as you might have guessed from the name. Like their counterparts, roll-up garage doors have a lot of headroom and will glide across tracks that attach to the ceiling. However, they can be more difficult to install since most homes do not have a track installed in their tops.
Regardless of which style you choose, here are some things to keep in mind when upgrading your garage door.
Not all garage doors look good on every house, so make sure you do your research before purchasing. Make a note of the existing styles in your neighborhood and find out what popular doors are being used for that style.
If you only have one garage door, you must get a style that will match the overall appearance of your home. However, if you plan on having more than one garage door, you should call different types to increase curb appeal and allow each entry to stand out.
Finally, always opt for high-quality doors because they are typically built with better craftsmanship and can be made from high-end materials. This will help extend the life of your upgraded garage doors and increase their curb appeal.
Upgraded garage doors increase the value of all types of homes, regardless of whether they are luxury homes or standard homes. This is achieved by making the house look better, more secure, and better protected against the elements. Replacing an old door with a new one will boost your home’s overall appearance without breaking the bank maintenance or repair costs. These benefits are often evident when you’re selling your home. A new garage door will help potential homeowners see your house the way you see it.