Family Handyman
A good garage door will last decades, maybe even a lifetime. So it makes sense to spend a little extra time and effort making the best choice possible, and avoid cheap garage doors.
Get an 'In-Person' Quote
Ordering a garage door over the phone or online is asking for trouble. Every garage is a little different, and a knowledgeable salesperson will check details like opening size and shape, headroom and side clearance, and even help you make design decisions. And if something does go wrong, there won't be any question about whose fault it is. So make sure you get a salesperson to come to your house and check out the situation before ordering a door. A new 16-ft. door will cost anywhere from $800 to $8,000 and a good salesperson could help you find cheap garage doors.
Beware of Wood Doors
Real wood doors look fantastic when they're new. But unless you're willing to devote time and money to maintenance, they won't look good for long. Natural finishes last a few years before they need recoating. And if you wait too long, you'll have to sand off all the finish and start over to get your door looking new again.The good news is, you can get the look of wood for a fraction of the cost, and avoid the maintenance nightmare as well. The least expensive option is embossed steel with a faux wood-grain finish (less than$1,000). From a distance, these doors look remarkably similar to real wood. If you're willing to spend more ($2,500 and up), consider a garage door with a wood composite overlay or a fiberglass skin. Composites offer the look of real wood with the longevity and stability of plastic when you shop garage doors.
Upgrade Your Insulation
If you're planning to buy an insulated door because you want to save energy or keep your garage warm, it's worth spending about 15 to 20 percent extra to upgrade from extruded polystyrene to polyurethane insulation. The insulating effectiveness of a garage door is its R-value. The larger the number, the better it insulates. According to Clopay, upgrading from 2-in. polystyrene to its Intellicore (polyurethane) raises the insulating value from R-9 toR-18. That's a lot of bang for the buck.