Has your garage door seen better days? If so, what can you do about it? Will you have to pay for a new garage door installation or will you be able to give your existing door a makeover and, in the process, restore it to something approaching its former glory? And if a makeover appears to be a practical solution, how exactly should you proceed? For the answers to all of these questions and more, join us as we discuss five great ideas from our Arvada garage door repair team.

Spruce Up Your Overhead Doors: Five Fantastic Ideas

Some of these ideas may work better with certain types of overhead doors than others but all of them are well worth considering if you enjoy tacking relatively:

1. Adding a Remote Control – One of the easiest ways to add new life to an old door is to install a remote control system, assuming that you don't already have one of course. It won't do anything to improve the visual appearance of your door but you will be so happy with the new functionality you probably won't even care. And if you do, you are, of course, free to try one of the other four suggestions below, all of which address visual issues. A word of warning though: please make sure your current garage door is structurally sound before embarking on this (or any other) makeover idea as it could be a waste of time and money otherwise.
2. Refinishing – If the issue with your garage door is solely aesthetic, refinishing it with a new coat of paint is a simple, inexpensive, and potentially transformative makeover option for you to consider. For plain metal overhead doors, all you will normally need to do is sand down the existing finish and add a couple of new coats of paint (in your preferred color). However, if you are going from a very dark to a very light color, it may be easier to sand the existing paint almost completely off and start with a new coat of primer. Otherwise, you may have to use too many coats of the new color to completely obscure the old one.
3. Exterior Lighting – This option works well on its own but for maximum impact, we recommend combining it with the one above and the one below. In other words, we suggest that you repaint your garage door, fit new hardware then install exterior lighting to make sure that everybody can see how attractive it now looks. There are many types of exterior lighting fixtures you may wish to consider, from powerful halogen spotlights to ornamental wall sconces. When deciding which type to install, it's a good idea to focus on lighting that will complement the architecture and exterior décor of your home. For example: if you live in a colonial-style property with a carriage house-style garage door, it's unlikely you will want to install powerful floodlights outside your garage door.
4. Upgrading or Replacing Hardware – A very easy and cost-effective way to spruce up older garage doors is to replace all of the hardware – the handles, hinges, etc. – with shiny new fittings. If you like the sound of this idea but you don't know where to buy the new hardware, we suggest that you start by contacting your local overhead door company and asking for assistance. It will be easier to find what you are looking for if you have the make and model of the door to hand but it if is an older door and you simply cannot remember, and there are no helpful markings on the door itself, a good company should still be able to help you out.
5. Installing Faux Wood Panels – If you have always liked the look of traditional wooden overhead doors but have never had one installed in your home, perhaps because of concerns about future maintenance issues, faux wood panels could be the perfect makeover solution. In the event you are unable to source quality faux wood panels in your area, again, we recommend talking to your local garage door specialists. They should either be able to supply you directly or at least point you in the right direction.

Of course, there is another alternative if none of the above suggestions are likely to revive your garage door: replacing it with a brand-new one. However, before you settle on this option, it is worth consulting with your local garage door repair experts, just in case you are wrong and it is possible to upgrade, restore or otherwise repair your existing door so it can continue to serve you well for a few more years to come. If you do decide to have a new door installed, check out our tips below before you make all the necessary arrangements.

Top Tips for a New Garage Door Installation

Many of the following tips may apply equally to homeowners in other parts of the world but as we only have direct experience in the USA, we will leave that up to your judgment if you are reading this in another country.

• Pick a Complementary Color – Save yourself the bother of future makeovers by choosing a door that's already painted in a complementary color (i.e. a color that complements the exterior décor of your property. Modern garage doors are available in a huge variety of different styles and colors so you are sure to be able to find one that is perfect for your home without too much trouble.
• Focus on Doors with Integral Remote Control Functionality – If you are going to the expense of a new garage door installation, it's just good sense to choose one with a remote control panel already integrated into its circuitry. Review our previous guide for an overview of the most significant benefits of automatic openers.
• Request Quotations from Several Companies – Make sure that you don't pay over the odds for your new door, by requesting two or three quotations from local specialists. Almost all reputable companies that specialize in overhead doors will be happy to prepare a quotation free of charge.
• Ask for References – Last but not least, don't forget to ask for references and testimonials from satisfied customers before you make your final choice of installation professionals. Reputable companies will be able to provide such references with ease.

If you happen to live in Arvada, CO and you would like us to help you implement any of the ideas that we have discussed in this article, please feel free to get in touch with us by phone or email.