20,423 posts, read 33,400,272 times 20,135 posts, read 44,361,524 times Originally Posted by JayCT Like with HVAC equipment... the installation company is the real question. Styles and options are almost universally available. In the absence of a specific recommendation for a local company... it's hard to wrong with the Overhead Door franchisee. 9,623 posts, read 36,820,937 times I have known several other builders that depend on OHD for their doors, but I've never been impressed with the quality of the door (some ghost manufacturer that puts no name on them). I have used Amarr for many years- extremely happy with their quality, warranty, and selection. I've been to several builder shows and have had the opportunity to compare and speak with sales, manufacturing, and marketing people with most manufacturers. Amarr, I felt had the better door when all things were considered. Doors and accessories are one thing- getting the right company that can do a quality install and stand behind their work is another.
I'm a firm believer in finding that local company that you can create a relationship with paramount. Oh course, most H/O's will buy maybe two garage doors in their lifetime; Franchises, especially thoses that provide home improvement services tend to be more marketing and close then long term service. Wood & Wood Overhead Garage Doors 6,002 posts, read 12,723,935 times 6 posts, read 18,508 times 3,877 posts, read 3,397,461 times Originally Posted by mcfromct Sorry I missed this. I hope it is not too late. We used Eagle Door out of Manchester and they turned out great. We are very pleased. It took a day to replace. They look and work wonderfully. I highly recommend them. 4,853 posts, read 12,277,748 times I am looking into getting new garage doors too. This was the only thread I could find regarding this topic. I hadn't ever heard of Amarr before today but a local dealer recommended it over Wayne Dalton's 9100 series--which is what I thought I wanted.
The local Wayne Dalton dealer stated it's the door he's called to repair most often in my area. So maybe I don't want that 9100 series door. I chose it because of the polyurethane insulation...which is supposed to be a better insulator than polystyrene. But durability is higher on my list than insulation. I want a polyurethane insulated, ranch style, steel door. Haven't decided on window style, operator or hardware (if any) yet. I have 2, north facing 7x8 ft garage doors. I'm replacing 30+ year old, wood, non insulated, sad doors. Supposed to get one of my garage doors repaired tomorrow & talk with a salesman about my replacement options. He suggested Northwest Door or Amarr. Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.Updated: Oct 12, 2016 How to Choose the Best Garage Doors - A garage gives us the incredible luxury of space.
Whether we choose to use it for our cars so we can begin our morning commutes without facing the elements or we use it for storage, a garage is tremendously helpful. But it most definitely starts to feel unhelpful and decidedly un-luxurious when your garage doors are creaking, groaning, refusing to open, or just as infuriatingly, refusing to close. Garage doors should be something we take for granted; we shouldn't have to spend much thought on them. So, spend a little time now choosing the right garage door, and you won't have to think about it again anytime soon. Here are some tips for buying garage doors. You should be able to drive right up to your garage, and with a click of a button, have access to the inside. Whether it is attached to your home or not, being able to securely park your car - or your belongings - in a garage is a definite benefit. The best roll-up and overhead garage doors provide security and safety from the elements and from theft, as well as add to your home's aesthetic appearance and value.
In addition, if you have an older model door, you can upgrade to one of today's efficient, smooth, and easy-to-operate models. You can choose from wood, aluminum, composite, fiberglass, or steel to suit your needs and preferences. Which is right for you, and which has the features you want? First, just measure your garage door opening. You'll need this information! The next step is to decide on aesthetics: do you want flush panels, which are flat, raised panels, painted panels, windows, coach or barn style doors? Your garage door accounts for a significant part of your home's exterior, so style is not just an afterthought. Today's top manufacturers create an incredible array of designs that will fit your home, whether it is an old Victorian or a modern ranch. Next, think about the material of the door. Wood and steel are the most popular and the most affordable. Each has benefits and drawbacks. Wood has the advantage of being the most budget-friendly material. A 16 x 7 foot flush wood door, for example, costs from $400 to $700.
Wood is easy to install, and there is no denying its beauty. On the other hand, wood expands and contracts with the weather, warps, needs to be painted, and is typically the least durable. Steel garage doors don't crack, warp, or succumb to weather changes, and today's models can be painted to look like real wood. Steel garage doors are usually treated to resist rust, and they have polystyrene or polyurethane foam insulation to help you keep your home cool in the summer or warm in the wanter. The doors are light and easy to use. They can dent, however, and are difficult to repair if this happens. They also cost more than wood: an average steel garage door costs between $750 and $1200. Fiberglass is generally used by those who live in caustic, oceanside climates, but both it and aluminum are not durable. Fiberglass breaks, and aluminum can dent very easily.For temperate climates, your R factor should be 3. For colder climates, choose an R factor of up to 10. Good insulation is also vital if you use your garage as a workspace, laundry room, or rec room.
The first step is to know where to look, and luckily, you have a lot of options. As far as brands, Clopay, Martin, Raynor, Garador, Amar, and Wayne Dalton are the top manufacturers. Their doors are typically of very high quality, and you can find many models that will fit your budget. //cd_Garage+Door+Buying+Guide_468943105_) physical location or websites. They each have garage door buying guides to help you decide on the right model. Clopay is the brand sold by Home Depot, and when you use their garage door guide, you will enter in your height and width requirements. A list of possible matches is generated for you to puruse. For instance, if you need a 16 x 7 foot door, you will have options, which include the Value Plus Series. This is a steel door with insulation (R value of 6.3), and if you choose a short panel design with no extras, it will cost about $670 to install yourself or $1100 to have installed. As you add options, such as windows or locks, the price will increase.
As a top brand, Clopay can be a bit pricy, especially if you're not a DIY-er. Wayne Dalton is a good budget-friendly choice. You will still get the quality you want, but at a lower price. A basic short panel steel door, for instance, costs just over $300 at stores like Lowes. You can also find models by manufacturers like Amarr that run the spectrum from affordable to luxurious. You can find the door that will fit your needs and your budget, and you can do so even when you choose the top brands. Garage Doors Installation: DIY or Not: As you can see with the Clopay garage door, installation can tack on several hundreds of dollars to the cost of a garage door. This can be well worth it if you do not have the time or the technical inclination to do it yourself. If you do opt to do it yourself, there are two things you should be aware of: garage doors can weigh 150 or more pounds, making them unwieldy for a lot of people, and there are a lot of steps to follow! /how-to/how-to-replace-a-garage-door/index.html) or view videos on YouTube.