Your garage door plays a major role in keeping your home safe and boosting your property’s overall curb appeal. At Marchant Building Center, in Mountain Home, AR, they understand how important it is to choose the right one. That’s why they’re always happy to answer your questions and explain the advantages of different types of doors.

Before going to the hardware store, measure your garage’s opening to determine what size door you’ll need. Then take some pictures of your house from the street, making sure you can see as much of the front as possible. These pictures will serve as a useful reference when you’re browsing the different styles of door available to you.

You obviously want the color to match your home’s exterior, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be the same color. If you don’t have a good eye for complementary hues, print out a color wheel or ask a design professional for advice.

Color isn’t the only visual feature to account for when purchasing a new garage door. The panel design is at least as important. Although many homeowners opt for traditional square, raised panels, there are plenty of other options to consider. Carriage house panels subtly recall the look of an agricultural barn, short-raised panels are ideal for Victorian-style homes, and long-raised panels evoke a general sense of distinction. You could even select flush panels designed to match the appearance of your home’s siding.

Unless you’re committed to the rustic quality of a wood garage door, steel is the best material to choose. It’s durable and requires little maintenance, making it the most cost-effective option in the long run. Steel garage doors come in three basic varieties: single-layer, double-layer, and triple-layer. Although triple-layer offers the most protection and insulation, it’s the most expensive. While that degree of protection could result in greater savings over time, if you’re currently on a tight budget, single-layer and double-layer steel doors are still reliable.

For more information, head to Marchant Building Center, in Mountain Home, AR. They’ll gladly walk you through the benefits and drawbacks of different types of garage doors. Visit them online to learn more, or call (870) 425-3168.