Have you been struggling to find a garage door that suits your style while also being within your budget? More and more homeowners are looking to customize or replace their garage doors, but it has proven to be difficult. Massive supply chain fluctuations and hold-ups have caused prices to increase immensely. However, the following tips and tricks will allow you to save money while getting the garage door you want.
Paint, Don’t Replace
When it’s time to change the color of your garage door, whether you want to increase curb appeal, fix damaged paint, or simply go for a new look, one option is to buy a new garage door in the color that you want. However, there’s a cheaper option. Painting your garage door is a great way to save some money.
Though a little more labor intensive, you can change the look of your house without having to spend a lot of money. This is also a great option when stuck between two colors because you can always repaint your garage door if you don’t like the finished look. Before you start painting, make sure the surface is clean and that you check the weather for the next couple of days to avoid your garage door being rained on and messing up the fresh paint.
What Type of Paint Can I Use on a Garage Door?
When looking for the type of paint you can have on your garage door, the most important quality to look for is durability. Unlike interior paint, exterior paint has to be able to withstand all different types of weather conditions without chipping. The best option would be exterior latex paint. Often, you will need to add multiple coats to your garage, so how fast a paint dries is also an important aspect to consider. Latex paints dry much faster than oil-based paints, though make sure to check your can of paint for the specific drying times to get the most accurate time frame. This shorter drying time means you can add more coats while finishing the project faster, and there is less of a chance that the paint job will get messed up by outside influences.
Decorative Magnetic Pieces
Another great way to change up the look of your garage would be to use decorative magnetic hardware. These are magnetic pieces that attach to your garage door and can elevate the look with minimal labor and money. It is a simple installation process and a great way to get started when you’re deciding to upgrade your home.
Opt for Woodtones Vs. Real Wood
Many people are looking to enhance their curb appeal, and one option that has become popular is to have a wood-styled garage door. There are two options when aiming for that wood look, real wood and woodtones. The main difference between the two is that real wood doors are made of solid wood all the way through and woodtones are a type of wood styling.
Real Wood
Having real wood garage doors requires a lot more maintenance. Every couple of years, you have to re-sand, re-paint, and re-seal the doors to keep up their appearance and integrity. Real wood is also the more expensive option. So while real wood garages are gorgeous, you would have to put in extra work and money to keep them that way.
Woodtones
If you want a similar look to real wood but don’t want to spend as much, then the best option is to use woodtones. There are a couple of different ways you can go about making your garage door look like real wood, and you can learn more about the different types of woodtones here. However, the main point of woodtones is that it is cheaper than real wood and much easier to maintain.
Upkeep to Prevent Expensive Repairs
While maintaining your garage door is not an immediate money saver, it is the best way to prevent large costs in the long run. It will drive repair costs down and lead to smoother performance.
Cleaning the Surface
One easy maintenance item that keeps the garage door looking good is just washing the front of it regularly to prevent any stains and spots. While you do this, check for any problems with the door itself. If you have a wood garage door, make sure to check if there is any water damage or warping of the wood because this could lead to more problems down the road. If you have an aluminum door, check to see if there are any rust spots that could then be sanded down and repainted.
Mechanical Care
Looking more on the technical side, three great things you can do is clean the tracks, lubricate the hinges, and check the weather stripping. The tracks that the door runs along as it moves often gets filled with dirt and leaves which obstruct the door’s path and can lead to the garage door breaking down. Making sure those pathways are clear can prevent that from happening.
Lubricating the moving parts in a garage door can help prevent a lot of wear and tear that happens through common use. It can also be beneficial in stopping loud noises coming from your garage door. Check out this article to learn about lubricant and basic garage door maintenance.
The weather stripping is the rubber seal at the bottom of the garage door that prevents outside elements from coming into your garage as well as helping with insulation. If the seal is broken or brittle then make sure to replace it so it can do its job properly.
Garage Door Repair in Des Moines
Amega has been helping homeowners with their garage door needs for 36 years. We try our best to work with all budgets while satisfying all your needs. If you start to hear strange noises or the garage door is not working properly, reach out to our professionals so they can safely repair whatever issue there may be. If you need repairs for your door or if you want to switch up the look of your garage door contact us!