What Should I Look For in a Garage Door?

If the time has come to replace your garage door, you may be wondering what to look for in your next model. Choosing a great garage door has many benefits, from improving the kerb appeal of your property to increasing the security of your garage space, so it’s important to think carefully about your options. Garage doors are an investment, so take the time to choose one that offers all the properties and qualities you need. 

At Thoroughbred Industrial Doors, we recognise that purchasing a new garage door can feel like a difficult decision. However, once you know what you’re looking for, it makes it much easier to understand your options and choose the right one for you. Knowing what makes a great garage door also makes it easier for you to choose the highest quality for your property. To help you out, we’ve created a guide to some of the main features and properties to look out for when buying a garage door. Read on for more information.

A trusted manufacturer

When it comes to buying a new garage door, purchasing from a trusted manufacturer is essential. You need to know that your new door is of the highest quality and that it’s worth what you’re spending. Before choosing a brand, it pays to do some research online. This is where you will find customer reviews and testimonials, giving you insight into what other property owners think of the brand. If a brand has lots of negative reviews, then you’ll know to look elsewhere. 

When searching for garage door manufacturers, you also want to make sure they are located close to your property. This ensures you have a team of garage door professionals nearby to take care of the installation and any repair services you require. 

Custom designs

To make sure your new garage door fits your specifications exactly, make sure to purchase a custom design. With a custom design, you can rest assured that your new door will fit exactly without alterations being made to your garage. Your garage shouldn’t need to fit your garage door - it should be the other way around! 

When you work with a garage door company that manufactures its own doors, you can request a bespoke door made according to your exact requirements. The company will also take care of the installation for you, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Convenient style

The style of your garage door matters more than you might initially think. It’s not just about the kerb appeal of your property, although it helps to choose a visually appealing garage door. In fact, the style of door you choose will play a big role in how you use it. Some garage doors allow pedestrian access while others don’t. Some styles can be automated and others must be manual. With this in mind, it’s important to think carefully about the garage door style that works for you.

Some of the most popular garage door styles include:

● Roller garage doors

● Sectional garage doors

● Up and over garage doors

● Side-hinged garage doors.

One of the most significant differences between each style is the way the garage door opens and closes. For instance, roller doors open vertically, curling around a track at the top of the door. As a result, they are an ideal choice if you want to save space or park a car in your garage. 

Alternatively, side-hinged garage doors are ideal if you want to open your garage a fraction of the way. If you use your garage as a workspace and don’t want to open or close the door fully every time you need access, side-hinged models may be preferable. 

Visual appeal

A visually appealing garage door can greatly boost your kerb appeal, so make sure to choose one that suits your preferred tastes and complements your property. No matter what style of garage door you prefer, there is bound to be a selection of colours and finishes to suit. 

At Thoroughbred Industrial Doors, we offer a comprehensive range of finishes, from smooth walnut woodgrain to anteak textured woodgrain, so you can choose the perfect colour for your tastes. We also supply every door with a corrosion-resistant finish to protect it from the elements. 

Accessibility 

Your new garage door should make using your garage easier than ever. With this in mind, many homeowners now opt for electric garage doors that can be opened with just the push of a button. Convenience comes as standard with automatic garage doors, but that’s not all. Electric garage doors are also safer than manual doors, as they come equipped with a motion sensor that stops them if they detect an obstruction. If you have young children or pets, this feature can be extremely reassuring. 

Ultimately, the decision is yours. Manual doors also have a lot of great benefits, and as long as you purchase through a trusted company, there’s no reason why a manual door can’t be the right option for you.

Security 

Whether you’re looking for a manual or electric garage door, you must make sure it offers the level of security you require for your home. You probably use your garage to store expensive tools, sports equipment or perhaps even your car, so keeping it protected against theft is imperative. Even if you store nothing more than broken furniture or children’s toys in your garage, investing in its security can help to protect your home. If your garage looks easy to break into, your house may become a potential target.

Not sure how to check the security of a new garage door? The first place to start is to research the manufacturer, as we mentioned before. If other customers aren’t impressed with the door’s security, it’s time to look elsewhere. 

Secondly, ask the manufacturer about the door’s locking mechanisms. Electric garage doors should lock automatically whereas manual doors require a lock and key.

Suitable price 

The price of the door is another important factor to consider when researching replacement garage doors. After all, you need to make sure the door is within your chosen pricing range. To find out this information, check the manufacturer’s website or give them a call; make sure they inform you of any additional costs you’ll need to pay to avoid any unpleasant surprises. 

Understandably, you’ll want to cut costs where you can. That’s why it’s important to research the companies in your local area to find a great manufacturer with affordable prices. However, you should avoid companies with suspiciously low prices. Be aware that if a price looks too good to be true, it probably is. 

12-month guarantee

When purchasing a garage door, make sure it comes with a minimum 12-month guarantee. This ensures that your door will be repaired and replaced, if necessary, within a year after purchase. If you buy a door without a guarantee, you could find yourself forking out for costly repair services - something every homeowner wants to avoid.

To double-check if your chosen door comes with a guarantee, call the manufacturer before purchase. This is also a great way to assess the customer service you can expect from the company. 

Thoroughbred Industrial Doors: High-quality garage door installations in Mildenhall and Royston 

If it’s time to replace your garage door, look no further than Thoroughbred Industrial Doors for the highest quality doors in Mildenhall and Royston. We’re proud to supply a range of garage doors that can be custom made to suit your needs exactly. We ensure our doors offer the highest level of security and easy access to make using your garage safer and more convenient for you. 

We can also take care of the installation process and are on hand to assist with repair and maintenance services, helping to keep your garage door in great condition. Each of our products comes with a minimum 12-month guarantee for additional peace of mind. 

For more information about our garage doors, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of the Thoroughbred Industrial Doors team today. We’re always happy to help.