An Atlanta garage door is more than just protection against Georgia thunderstorms. It also provides your home with valuable security, and it's a prominent decorative fixture of your residence. That being the case, it pays to shop carefully if it's time to replace or install a new garage door on your home.
Atlanta Garage Door Costs
Because there is such a wide range of garage doors on the market for you to choose from, the price tag of a new garage door varies widely. Based on the data we gather from post-project customer surveys that we send out to homeowners who use our referral services, garage doors in Atlanta can run anywhere from $400 on up to $1,400, though the average cost of replacing an existing door in the ATL is about $850. That's not chump change, but it's not a $50,000 kitchen remodel, either. And when it comes to a single home improvement that can drastically improve your home's curb appeal in a matter of hours, purchasing and installing a quality garage door is tough to beat.
Think Style When Choosing an Atlanta Garage Door
We'll get to the functional considerations of purchasing garage doors in a moment, but since we're on the subject, don't underestimate what a big difference a few stylistic additions to your garage door can make. The most basic, bottom end garage door is a no frills affair. The panels are usually flat and featureless, and made of pressed wood. Upgrading to raised panels immediately adds depth and texture, as well as a hint of class. Another excellent upgrade is installing windows in your garage door. They don't just look good on your Atlanta home, but you'll also be pleasantly surprised at how much natural light they let into the garage. Finally, think materials. Steel looks better than pressed wood, and wood tops all when it comes to looks. Atlanta is a beacon of Southern class and style. Your garage door should reflect that, along with the rest of your home.
Atlanta Garage Door Materials
Besides enhancing the looks of your garage door, the material you choose also plays a huge role in your door's overall durability, its longevity, and the level of security it provides.
Pressed Wood—Doors made of pressed wood panels are the most economical option for homeowners, and if you're on a tight budget, there's certainly nothing wrong with going this route. Keep in mind, however, that on all three fronts mentioned above (durability, longevity, and security), a door made of pressed wood panels falls far short of other options.
Steel—The steel garage door in Atlanta is the most widely installed type of garage door in the metropolitan area. They're relatively inexpensive (depending on options), lightweight, and they can take a pop from an errant jump-shot (or hundreds of them, if you child is training up to be the next Dominique Wilkins) better than any other material on the market. Steel doors also offer you the most options when it comes to adding insulation to your door, which is something to consider if your garage functions more along the lines of an auto or woodworking shop than it does a storage facility.
Wood—Take a drive up to Buckhead, and you're likely to see more wood garage doors than you can shake a stick at. These doors are the cream of the crop. Going on looks alone, there is no equal in the garage door industry, whether you choose a wood finish or paint the door to match your home. They're also as solid as garage doors come, measuring up to steel doors in every department when it comes to toughness and security (with the exception of a burglar toting a chainsaw, of course!). Finally, these doors are excellent insulators, both against noise and cool Atlanta winters. The only downside is weight, though if you've got the means to choose a wood garage door, you'll probably be investing a good garage door opening system as well, so there's nothing to worry about.
Finding an Atlanta Garage Door Contractor
Installing or replacing a garage door is a doable project for an experienced home handyman, though make sure you know what you're getting into. Hanging the door so that it opens and closes smoothly, and fits tightly into the frame, isn't as easy as you might think. And garage door removal and repair can be a trick as well, especially given the torsion spring on most doors, which can cause serious bodily injury if it's not dealt with properly. For those reasons, most homeowners in Atlanta choose to hire the job out. If that's the direction you're leaning, get good referrals, from a referral company like ServiceMagic, or from friends and family, and be sure to talk to at least three different contractors before you make a hire. Contractors in Georgia aren't required to obtain any licensing, so you'll prevent a lot of headaches if you start with a larger field, check references and prices, and narrow it down to someone you can trust. Follow those basic guidelines, and you should be well on your way to enjoying a better looking, better functioning garage door, in no time at all.
Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.
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