How much should I spend on my garage door?

Most people will be able to find a garage door that's within their budget, whether it's under £300, over £1,000, or somewhere in-between. With garage door prices, like everything else, you get what you pay for. Factors that affect the price include the style, the finish, the colour, the mechanisms, and added extras such as windows, seals and additional security.

However, a budget door may be perfectly suitable for your needs - it all depends upon your requirements. The following questions will help you to make the right choice.

Will the garage door need to provide a high level of insulation?
If you will be using your garage as a workshop, if there is a connecting door into your home, or if there is a room above your garage, you'll want it to be well insulated so that it doesn't lose heat. More expensive garage doors tend to provide better insulation than budget doors. Manufacturers such as Garador and Novotherm offer a range of insulated garage doors.

Will the door get a lot of wear and tear?
If you will be using your door every day, it will naturally get more wear and tear than a door that you rarely open. Bear this in mind when choosing your door, as a budget door may not last as long as a more expensive door if it's used daily. Likewise, if your door will take a regular battering, perhaps from a football, it would be wise to buy a strong and well insulated door.

Do you want your door to be automated?
Motorised (automatic) garage doors are extremely popular. At the press of a button, your door will open and close, meaning that you won't need to get out of your car or struggle with a heavy door in bad weather. However, if your budget is extremely tight, it may not stretch to motorised doors, as they are more expensive than manual doors.

Do you want non-standard finishes and fittings?
Garage doors are commonly available in white, but are also available in a variety of non-standard colours. You can choose from different shades of blue, green, grey, brown and even red, but you will usually have to pay extra. The same applies to fittings such as handles - if you want something special such as a brass finish, you will have to pay more.

Do you want a timber door?
If you have your heart set on a timber door, you'll have to pay for it. Timber garage doors are considerably more expensive than steel and need regular maintenance. However, despite their increased cost, if properly looked after timber doors will look fantastic and can last a lifetime.

Whatever your requirements, if you're at all unsure, seek advice from a good garage door company. They'll be able to give you all the advice you need.

This article was written by Up and Over Doors Ltd, a garage door supplier in Bristol with a huge range of doors available to view online.