Please help me decide on garage door

[Roadtonowhere]

Hello, I was researching garage door and came across this wonderful forum. We need a new garage door. I got three quotes and they are comparable. I cannot decide which one I should go for so I thought I'd as the experts here.
- chi 5916
- amarr designers choice
- clopay gallery

All with urethane insulation. Which one is better? I understand that these are only 27/27 gauge? The reps who came said that it is sufficient since it is sandwich? The reps also said that they come with standard 14 gauge track nylon rollers, etc.

Do you guys think this kind of insulation is overkill? The garage wall is insulated. Not heated, but we have room above the garage that gets cold in the winter.
My husband has workbench in the garage but he rarely does stuff in the winter anyway. I just want the room upstairs to be less cold.
Thoughts?
Thanks....

 

[Garage Dog]

Roadtonowhere,

Welcome!

You don't say where you live which may help (you can add it to your profile), a door size or attach a pic of the style you are considering or if cost is a significant issue but;

More insulation is never a bad thing, door thickness is a factor, thicker = higher R value. Construction method that states something like "provides thermal break". If money isn't a factor I would suggest a 2" thick door.

Another consideration depending on where you live and the width of the door, is wind load rated. Basically manufactures can add more horizontal struts which gives it more structural integrity for a price.

If you are getting a door with an overlay design (i.e. rail and style), look carefully at what colors you are allowed to paint it. In many cases only light colors are allowed because of the adhesives used.

I have a partner who did a ton of research and installed the Clopay, three years later the PVC rail & style overlay that is only glued on is delaminating. Huge hassle.
So check the warranty for delamination issues.

Good Luck,

GD

 

[Roadtonowhere]

GD, thanks for replying. I live in CO.

Here are the three I am interested in
http://www.amarr.com/residential/collection/fimbel_designers_choice
http://chiohd.com/garage-doors/residential/carriage-house-stamped/5916
http://www.clopaydoor.com/gallerysteel

I want the long panel in white, with plain windows.

From my newbie casual observation, they are comparable. The only difference is warranty with amarr having the best.

does anyone have any of these doors? Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[barks]

What is warranted on a garage door?

 

[Dustball]

does anyone have any of these doors? Any thoughts?
Thanks

I had 2" thick Clopay Gallery doors installed last Dec and they have been a very worthwhile investment. All of my living space is above the garage so heat loss management is very important. My old doors were cheaply insulated doors and in the winter, I could hold my hand six inches away from the door and feel the cold air radiating into the garage. With these new doors, I have none of that.

Since I have zero windows in the garage, I sprung for the obscured glass windows in the garage doors. Having that natural light made a huge difference in the garage.

I paid a total of $2565 for both doors installed.

 

[upndown]

I've used Clopay and Amarr in the past. Never any problem! Get the most insulation and heavy gauge steel as your budget will allow. Money well spent!

 

[Doorguy]

Of the doors you listed I would go with the CHI. I have installed all of these and of the ones you listed the CHI is the better. My opinion. I personally carry the Haas door line.
Best product I have used in my 30 years of selling/installing garage doors. Again just one mans (experienced) opinion. I always post check the haasdoor.com website for a local dealer.

 

[walrus]

I've got the heaviest insulated door Chi makes and I've had no issues with it

 

[Roadtonowhere]

More info: I believe these are all 27/27 gauge. Is that bad? I inquired a better amarr model 25/27 and it is 1400 more. Too much for me

 

[Roadtonowhere]

Warranty, per brochure amarr is lifetime on hardware/workmanship, chi says lifetime on doors and 3 years on spring. I assume clopay is lifetime too?

Door guy, why are you partial to chi? Curious

 

[Dustball]

This is what the Clopay warranty covers-

http://dealer.clopaypdfs.com/pdf_files/WAR-C35_EN.pdf

 

[Roadtonowhere]

This is what the Clopay warranty covers-

http://dealer.clopaypdfs.com/pdf_files/WAR-C35_EN.pdf

Thanks dustball. I read through it. Unless I am having major mommy brain and missed something, does it mean it is only 5 years?

I just checked haas. No dealer in my area.

 

[Dustball]

Thanks dustball. I read through it. Unless I am having major mommy brain and missed something, does it mean it is only 5 years?

I just checked haas. No dealer in my area.

Paint- lifetime
Hardware/springs- 3 years
Panel sections- 5 years
Windows- 10 years

 

[Doorguy]

Warranty, per brochure amarr is lifetime on hardware/workmanship, chi says lifetime on doors and 3 years on spring. I assume clopay is lifetime too?

Door guy, why are you partial to chi? Curious

Of the three you had listed In my opinion the CHI is a superior door. I carry Haas doors myself and am partial to them. A lot of new home builders in my area use the clopay doors and if you have ever experienced a builder quality door you will know my dislike for them. Amarr I do not feel is much better.
Any door available at a big box store, to me is not going to last.

 

[NES]

Go for a Raynor garage door! They have so many options and have an awesome quality to them.

 

[rharman]

I have an Amarr insulated door with windowed top panel. Had an issue with some adhesive markings embedded on the windows. They were great in handling it. I recommend them highly.

 

[visiting guest]

i had my windows removed from the garage door.
to prevent anyone from seeing inside
...

too many stories of fishing the garage door opener string by being able to see through windows.

 

[kingchevy]

i had my windows removed from the garage door.
to prevent anyone from seeing inside
...

too many stories of fishing the garage door opener string by being able to see through windows.

You could obscure the glass somehow by sandblasting, etc. and still get the light through.

 

[mitchtr25068]

If you're concerned about people looking in your garage door windows, cut pieces of plywood or something even thinner, slightly larger than the windows, spray paint one or both sides black, and screw them on the inside of the garage door.

 

[upndown]

Then why bother having Windows? They cost extra just to cover up.

 

[Bigezee]

Not heated, but we have room above the garage that gets cold in the winter.

Off topic but you should probably watch a few episodes of Holmes on Homes, especially the episode about how home builders skimp on the insulation above garages. Spray foam and proper heat ducting will probably be the only way to keep the room warm.

 

[PoorOwner]

I looked at the Windows and they are like 1/8" thick single pane. Seems like defeating the point of insulation

 

[Dustball]

I looked at the Windows and they are like 1/8" thick single pane. Seems like defeating the point of insulation

For mine, I ordered obscured insulated glass.

 

[Roadtonowhere]

Gentlemen, thanks for the reply. I am not worried about people peeking in and stuff. My neighborhood is pretty safe. I want the look. I think the with the glass, it looks better. However, if the glass is thin and beats the point of insulation, I might have to forgo that.

Bigezee, I mentioned the whole insulation thing to my husband. He said he will take a look when he gets a chance. The house is old... Older than me, so It could very well be it doesn't have enough insulation compared to today's standard.

I think I am leaning on chi. If anyone has a reason why I should not go with the chi model, please post. Thanks again everyone.