Although it may be the last place you may want to invest time or money, some well-needed attention could make a huge difference in the curb appeal of your home, especially for those with front-facing garages. According to Houselogic, an attached garage can account for up to 20% of your home’s facade. Make the most of the blank canvas that is your garage door by taking on one of the projects provided below.
Before any project, be sure you’re working with a clean surface. Give your garage doors a nice power wash, or if a power washer is unavailable to you, rinse with a hose and wipe with a sponge using a mixture of vinegar and water, followed by a final thorough rinse. Wait for the doors to dry before you begin.
1. Carriage Doors: A Traditional Look in Modern Times
Update your metal door with a simple pack of decorative carriage hardware found online or at your local hardware store. For those looking to avoid power tools, magnetic all-season accent handles and hinges are available.
Tape off quadrants for your faux quarter-panel windows. You may either prime and paint black or apply removable vinyl decals for a high-end, timeless look at an affordable price. Already have windows? Give them a quick and modern update by carefully prying out the panes, applying a piece of black contact paper to the back side, and reinserting into the door.
2. Give Metal Doors a Natural Makeover
If your metal doors are looking faded and thirsty for a new a look, consider applying a gel stain to give your garage an authentic, almost wood-like appearance. One quart of stain, a few brushes, and a pleasant day may be all you need for this project. Please note the gel may dry very quickly, so be sure to wait until the sun is no longer shining directly on the garage door.
Work across the face of the garage, one section at a time, applying the stain with a brush in the same direction as the pattern of the door.
3. Repair or Replace?
Garage doors, at the end of the day, need to operate properly. According to a survey by window and door manufacturer JELD-WEN, Americans use the garage more than any other entry to the house, even the front door. Whether your door swings up, slides out, or rolls up, all the use is bound to wear on the door after time, requiring some additional maintenance. Follow the Annual Garage Door Maintenance Checklist below to ensure your garage door remains in good working condition for years to come.
Whether the need is cosmetic or to repair damage, you may find your best option is to replace the garage door all together. According to Houselogic, a new garage door “is the Triple Crown of curb appeal projects” by giving your home a great look at a modest cost with a solid return on investment. The 2015 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of RealtorsⓇ states the national median cost to replace a garage door is $2,300 and suggests this project could potentially recover up to 87% of your investment when selling your house.
4. Considerate Color
In some cases, such as custom homes, the garage doors are a significant architectural detail designed to stand out. However, most standard (often unattractive) garage doors are best suited to blend in with the rest of the home. Consider painting the garage the same color of the house itself or a color that blends well with the brick, while painting the trim around the garage doors the same as the trim on the rest of the home. This technique is likely to create a harmonious facade with the added bonus of making your home appear larger.
Annual Garage Door Maintenance Checklist
[ ] For wood doors, check for water damage throughout the surface and the joints. If found, seek immediate repair. Paint peeling in any areas needs to be scraped, sanded, and repainted.
[ ] For steel doors, check for rust spots. Sand down any rust, prime and paint. Once repairs have been made, wash the garage door and let dry.
[ ] Check the rollers that allow your garage to open and close. If rollers are in good condition, lubricate with a silicone-based lubricant.
[ ] Tighten roller hinges.
[ ] Check cables and springs for signs of rust.
[ ] Lift door completely and check the weather-stripping. If it needs replacing, measure the width and length of the door and purchase appropriate weather stripping from a hardware store.
If any of these items are in need of repair, be sure to contact your home warranty provider for coverage. Please do not take on any of these repairs yourself and contact a professional.
