Buy local buy from pro tradesman, you’ll ALWAYS come out ahead. EVERY BRAND has **** “most popular/builders grade” and mid grade up to top end in both the door construction quality, the HARDWARE (overlooked not frequently used as a selling point), and finally aesthetic design. All climates/regions benefit from well insulated garage doors specifically POLYURETHANE insulated door with a THERMAL BREAK. The thermal break narrows the field, only the National mfr’s can do this and polyURethane. R value is “subjective” at best. 1-3/8” urethane door r value 12 consistently 2” r 16-20 but either way you get steel front steel back interior filled every nook & cranny with dense foam. = quiet, smooth, long life door sections.
Next hardware standard no matter high end price or low the mfr’s load with Cheap 18 gauge hinges, single spring normally (galvanized, not great), all above mentioned items are rated for 7-10k cycles. Ask for 14 gauge hinges, 13!!!!! 13 ball bearing nylon rollers (125k+ quiet cycles) and no 10-11 ball aren’t the same. Two car garage door you want TWO oil tempered torsion springs rated for 20,000+ cycles. Then have those springs readjusted one year later after install and check balance twice a year there after to gauge when due for “service call” (18-24months interval is typical). Don’t buy chamberlain opener avoid Liftmaster if possible, GENIE PRO (2128/3120/6170) (may end in BH or other Battery backup or multiple remote different packages but the above is the important part)
genie = 24VDC strong long life safe smooth plenty of torque motor with a belt you’ll love for the next 2 decades plus.
chamberlain/Liftmaster: best case 12VDC motor kinda weak, service/replace prone… or typical a/c motor with nylon transmission to strip out every 5-7 years.
All door industry is affected by covid common to see 8-20 week leads, so what I said may go out the window if you have no choice. But under ideal buying circumstance this is solid advice.
