If you’re looking for a way to add some extra value to your home, there are a lot of different ways you can go about it. Unfortunately, not many of them are fast, easy, or inexpensive. There are also a lot of projects homeowners undertake in the hopes of boosting their home’s value, but end up being disappointed to find out that they didn’t add as much value as they’d hoped.
But one home improvement project that has a consistently excellent return on investment is replacing a garage door. According to the 2016 Cost vs. Value report by Remodeling magazine, garage door replacement typically costs just a few thousand dollars ($1,652 for mid-range jobs, $3,140 for upscale jobs) sees a return on investment upwards of 91%. Replacing your garage door can help improve your home’s curb appeal, add some extra security, and in some cases, help improve your home’s energy efficiency. Depending on the type of garage door you currently have, you might be able to replace it with a different style of door that requires less maintenance. Best of all, garage door replacement is a relatively fast, easy, and inexpensive project to take on.
You might think that garage doors are pretty basic things, but there are a few different types of doors out there. Vinyl garage doors are very popular because of how well they resist denting and how little maintenance they need. Steel and aluminum doors are pretty inexpensive, but dent easier than vinyl doors. If you live in a very humid area, you’ll want to be sure you use steel or aluminum doors that have been treated to resist rust and corrosion. Garage doors made of fiberglass won’t rust the way steel or aluminum doors do, but they can also get damaged easier. Wood garage doors look fantastic, but can cost more and require more maintenance than other types of garage doors. However, composite wood garage doors have the same great look of wood doors, but are less expensive and aren’t prone to as many problems real wood doors are.
If your garage is attached to your home, you might want to consider getting an insulated garage door to help improve your home’s energy efficiency. An insulated garage door would also be absolutely worth considering if you’ve converted your garage into a living space or spend a lot of time working in your garage.
Do you live in an area that tends to get hit by high winds, tornadoes, or other strong storms? Wind load garage doors are an option you might want to consider. They aren’t necessarily “tornado proof” or “hurricane proof,” but they will stand up to the elements better than other types of garage doors.
Choosing the right garage door not only helps to add value to your home, it can make your home more enjoyable until it sells.
