Garage Door(s) - How did you pick it?

[sloci]

I'm building a 2 car garage(24x25) right now, and have to pick a pair of garage doors. I was curious what was your thought process on doors, any recommendations or discouragement to certain doors? Photos of your doors would be great too.

 

[56rpm]

I've got 2 Martin doors which have been flawless for 8 years.

 

[RVDan]

I bought what I could afford, which was the cheapest "special buy" doors that home depot has ever carried.

 

[canuckian]

Mine is just the standard insulated one that came with my garage "package". As long as it matched the ones on the house, I was good to go.

 

[upndown]

No matter what size door you get, Make sure they are Torsion Spring!! Not that extension spring ****! If you have an option have you considered one big door? A 16' or 18' door makes it alot easier maneuver vehicles,trailers etc. Also one less garage door opener to buy!

 

[Wastedwagesracing]

I bought the highest R-value door I could find. Ended up being Hass 3" thick doors. They were not cheap my any means. But just about everyone that looks at my building comments on the nice heavy doors. I did not want a light door the rattles and shakes in the track due to wind.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I matched my garage doors to what we had put on the house garage less the windows. Those doors I picked out with an OK from the wife. She basically made the choice on the windows and agreed with the color choice.

Not sure where you are but I'd get some insulated doors and if you want to see pictures of mine, you'll have to scroll through my refurb thread in my sig.

 

[DCarr]

We have a local guy that will supply and install a door cheaper than you can buy it at HD or Costco. He did my Garage Door at the house for approx. 275 $ installed and my 10 x 12 at my shop for 775 ( on an 850 quote ).

My though for the shop was to put as big of a door as I thought I needed. I was advised to go to 14' wide and now wish I would have. But what I have works fine.

 

[Beaumont67]

I have two 8'highx10'wide, Commercial 2000 Series Hass #2032-20.
- V groove 20gauge smooth steel, manufactured in Ohio, USA
- 17.66 R Value
http://www.haasdoor.com/commercial/2000/index.html

20 years ago, I heated my over insulated 24x30 ft garage (no windows, 2x6" framing) with a home style mid efficient natural gas furnace 24/7 the whole winter season for only $250 extra on my heating bill.

15 years ago, our young son run the Honda CT70 mini bike front tire into the sectional door, at low speed - didn't even leave a dent / glad I didn't have 24or26gauge panels, after that.

In 1991, I had both doors installed for $2,000 Cdn. in total, with HD tracks & large tension springs.
I don't know how much they cost today, but would buy them again, if building another garage.

 

[Iroc-Z]

I just picked some out from a local garage door company. Fully insulated with aluminum backing so it looks finished. Got a 7x16 garage door installed with all new tracks that hug the ceiling for less then a 1000 bucks.

 

[AndysMBgarage]

I didn't want the issues with the garage tracks getting in the way of the 4 post lift so I went with a roller door.

 

[Cryptic1911]

get a nice thick insulated door, and try to find one that has stepped panels that are linked together with a rubber gasket, that way it seals the air out between the panels

 

[RollUpDoor]

It's the biggest door of the house. Buy the nicest one you can afford. So many Window options to choose. Insulation is must if you have tempeture extremes.

Spend the money and buy quality. It should last decades. Some people spend $5k plus on an entry door for their house but don't want to buy a $1200 garage door. Visit a local garage door showroom and take a look.

 

[Steves32]

I didn't want the issues with the garage tracks getting in the way of the 4 post lift so I went with a roller door.

Me too. My door & opener are Janus

Direct drive

 

[where2]

I carried the checkbook to the local garage door shop who has been in town for 30 years, & looked at what they had for samples. I went with an insulated door that is large missile impact rated, because in South Florida it's all about impact ratings on doors and windows. We don't get windows in garage doors anymore, because they are not rated to survive impact from two 6' 2"x4"s flying at 50 feet per second (34mph) followed by 9,000 cycles of positive and negative wind pressure. Every window and door within 30' of grade has to meet this test, or be covered by something that meets this test. If you don't live where hurricanes visit, you don't realize the fun we have building things.

 

[PCO6]

My attached garage faces the street and I wanted windows for appearance reasons. They make the house look better (I think). They are also the only garage windows I have and they are good for practical reasons. For security I made wood blinds for the inside that I can take in and out in about 30 seconds.

 

[sloci]

I appreciate the feedback and ideas. I'm going to have 2 9x7 doors, as that is how we did the concrete block. I forgot I don't have my location, but I'm in NY, so a highly insulated door is important. Thanks guys!

 

[Falcon67]

Clopay - had one on the old shop that I DIY installed with no issues. HD had a 15% off special order doors and windows. All 16' doors (well, locally all overhead doors) are special order so the price was right. Basic steel door, no windows or other upgrade, no lock - $480 delivered to the house. I insulated it myself for an additional $25.