GARAGE DOORS

Garage Doors and Automation

Garage doors

Enhance your home’s curb appeal/Open and shut case

The right garage doors can enhance your home’s curb appeal and value. When choosing a new garage door or replacing an old one, think of it as an extension of your home, rather than an afterthought.

By Lynne Yates

When it comes to first impressions, your garage doors play as important a role as your front door and garden. They are one of the first things visitors to your home see, and because of their size, they can create a significant negative or positive impact. Not only do garage doors play an important aesthetic role, but they can also add to the value of your home and provide an excellent security barrier.
 
These days, a garage door is not simply a garage door – there is a huge range available, differing in quality, material and colour, and ranging in size from single to double and even triple. Once you begin investigating, you may find yourself floundering in the quagmire of choice between steel, wood, aluminium, fibreglass and chromadek (galvanised and painted metal), not to mention sectional, overhead, roll-up or tip-up. Next comes the issue of colour, and the decision on whether to automate or not. We have set out the options below to help you make your decision.

Where to start
Werner van Zweel of Right Fit Garage Doors provides a list of important things to consider when replacing your existing garage door or installing a new one:
* Are your openings a standard size? Standard sizes are 2 440mm in width by 2 135mm in height for a single door and 4 880mm in width by 2 135mm in height for a double door. This is important as it will affect your budget considerably if your doors have to be purpose made.
* Headroom and side space on the inside of your opening is very important as this will determine your options regarding the type of garage door you can install. Standard headroom is 450mm and side space is 150mm.
* If your garage doors are street facing, bear in mind that they will contribute largely to the appearance of your property, and therefore it is important to choose a garage door that will complement your architectural style and enhance the value of your home.
* Consider the quality of the materials used to manufacture your door. There are three main aspects to consider:

- The door itself. This may consist of a number of panels joined together. Enquire about the thickness of the panels – this is important for the structural strength of your door. Try to find out whether the door was manufactured according to the right procedures to avoid inferior workmanship.
- Hardware. The hardware of your door consists of springs, pulleys, hinges, etc. The quality of the hardware is important to ensure hassle-free use of your door over an extended period. Poor quality hardware may cause failure in operation and even death if a door dislodges and falls on someone.
- Automation unit. Make sure the automation unit is manufactured by a local company for a continuous supply of spares and backup service for years to come. Ask for specifications to ensure that you are getting what you paid for.