Are you looking to make a dramatic or subtle change to your home’s exterior design?
Enhancing the look of your garage door can add character, style, and value to your home. A garage door upgrade can also give you a 111% return on investment. It’s an easy way for homeowners to transform their home’s aesthetic using a few DIY techniques.
Follow these 7 tips to enhance your home’s curb appeal with a garage door makeover.
1. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
Both weather and time can wear down your garage door. As sun, rain, and snow can leave it looking in poor condition. Even a newer standard garage door can get transformed for a more customized look.
Replacing your garage door can cost about $1700 to $3,300 on average. Yet, painting it is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to manage a garage door makeover. It adds a stylish street view aesthetic with professional looking results.
Be sure to choose a color that compliments your home’s exterior. Pay attention to the color of roof and your front door, as well the materials used. Your paint selection doesn’t have to match but should blend well with other elements of the home.
The most popular garage door colors are neutral, to not make too bold of a statement. These include matte black, warm brown, modern grey, or clean white.
You can also stain the door to create a different effect, like a faux wood stain. This looks like real wood-grain and goes well with a craftsman or rustic style home.
Don’t Forget to First Prep Your Door
It’s important to deep clean the door before painting. You can use a pressure washer to remove all dirt and debris. Applying a coat of exterior primer will also help the paint stick better.
Then work in sections, using a brush or a paint sprayer. It helps to pick a nice sunny day for your project. This way the paint dries faster and evener.
You can also add a clear coat finish afterward to prolong your work. This helps to reduce wear and tear over time.
2. Add New Hardware
Adding decorative hardware is a simple way to go about a garage door facelift. It offers the same effect as upgrading your kitchen or bath cabinets.
Choose a stylish finish for your new garage handles and matching spear hinges. You can buy these in a set or mix and match your own pieces.
You can select hardware that drills right into the door. Or magnetic ones that don’t need any installation.
3. Wow with Windows
Replacing or adding in new windows can make a big statement for your garage door update. This is as easy as measuring and ordering new glass panels to replace old ones.
Some homeowners prefer to replace plastic windows with real impact-resistant glass. Or go from smooth to frosted glass to change the look. You can even change the size and shape, with the help of a professional garage installer.
If you aren’t in the mood or budget to install real windows, you can always make your own faux ones. This gets done with black satin paint, vinyl decals, or contact paper.
Be sure to use frog tape, painter’s tape, and a die-cut machine for the perfect size and fit. You’ll also want to measure each window panel to ensure they are all the exact same size. Or you can also use plastic resin inserts that get screwed right into the garage door.
4. Switch up Your Door Style
There is no rule that says you can’t change the entire style of your door. The idea is to add contrast but still compliment the design of the home.
When researching garage door makeover ideas you’ll likely come across carriage style doors. These look much different than the standard automatic garage door. They add a great deal of charm to any style home.
Installing this type of door is not cheap. But you can create your can create faux carriage doors as an alternative. Do this by using paint and panel designs to make your garage have the look of real carriage doors.
It’s a simple DIY project that is more affordable and can work on a variety of door materials. Also, check out this list of more DIY home projects.
5. Create More Comfort with Insulation
Some homeowners tend to spend a lot of time in their garage. Whether it be for using it as a laundry room, workout area, or project workspace.
Insulating your garage door can provide comfort as well as make it more energy efficient. Professional installers use a polystyrene material to outfit the door. Or you can even insulate your own garage door using insulation panels.
6. Get Smart About Maintenance and Repairs
Interested in controlling your garage door through an app on your phone? Smart home technology can also be a feature to include in your garage door upgrade.
This way you can let in guests, dog sitters, and delivery people when away from home. As well as get alerts sent to you in case someone forgets to close the garage door. You can also install camera systems in your garage for an added security feature.
Before making exterior home updates, be sure to take care of maintenance items. This makes for a smoother garage door upgrade when things are in good working condition. Learn more about garage repair and how to check working components like openers, springs, and track systems.
7. Complete the Look with Finishing Touches
When updating garage doors, don’t forget about the little details. This includes flanking your garage door with potted plants to add a pop of natural color.
You can also install trim to add in more detail. Or include a stone pattern around the garage door frame.
Decorative lighting is another nice touch. Install fixtures on each side and above the door. This also makes the home more feel and look more secure at night. This is an added feature for homeowners who feel at risk without a security system installed.
Making a Statement with Your Garage Door Upgrade
A garage door upgrade can add style and function to your home. These 7 tips offer an easy and affordable way to transform the exterior of your house.
Other ways to do this include updating your landscaping or investing in a new front door. These projects will add value and enhance your home’s curb appeal.
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