Garage doors

Here is some advice that will help you make a choice you'll never regret. Before choosing a garage door, you must determine your needs and make a list of them: opening size, head room, colours, design, windows, etc.

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Materials
Insulation
The location
Frequency of use
Characteristics of the door
Measure your garage door

Materials

For several years, metal garage doors (steel or aluminum) have replaced wood doors, which require more maintenance.

Steel

Steel is more resistant to dings and scratches. However, a strong blow will scratch the paint and expose the steel, which will require quick action to prevent rust. It is recommanded that you apply a good wax each spring to protect the paint and keep a nice shinny gloss.

Aluminum

The polyurethane injected aluminum door remains a very strong choice, because high-density polyurethane foam strengthens the panel structure. Among its advantages: it is light, does not rust, nor does it wear down tracks and other hardware as quickly as other doors. If you live near the ocean, the aluminum door is your best choice. Furthermore, it only requires a good cleaning once in a while.

Insulation

The thermal resistance factor of garage doors will vary from R-8 (steel insulated with polystyrene) to R-18 (aluminum insulated with polyurethane).

L- shaped contact joints weather stripping

Weather stripping is installed between the sections of garage doors. Those with insulation factors of R-12 or more are fitted with three-point L- shaped contact joints that result in better a seal. They also prevent friction of metal against metal. The "L" joint is mechanically overlapped to prevent delamination.

Flexible PVC weather stripping

You can also purchase a male-female joining system, fitted with flexible PVC weather stripping that simplifies installation of the door panels.

The location

The location of your garage will influence your choice of door. If you have a room above the garage (bedroom, living room, etc.), we recommend choosing a door with a high insulation factor. Some models are fitted with flexible weather stripping at the top to prevent air infiltration. Also, you may opt for nylon rollers (white or black) in order to reduce noise caused by the door. Electrically operated doors with a belt drive (instead of a chain) will also help reduce noise and vibrations caused by electric door openers.

Frequency of use

The more frequently a door is used, the more important the durability factor. The R-factor (thermal resistance coefficient) is another way to rate the strength of a door. Indeed, a polyurethane-injected door (R-12 to R-18) will be more robust than a door with a polystyrene core. The injection of polyurethane will fill all the cavities of the door, forming a composite material that will add strength to the panels. A door with an R-16 or R-18 rating will be thicker than one with an R-12 rating and will benefit from additional reinforcement for handles and garage door opener brackets. Note that the quality and thickness of the tracks and hinges are important. Request 14-gauge tracks, 10-ballbearing steel rollers and welded doorjamb brackets.

Characteristics of the door

The design

In addition to the colour and windows you can also choose the design for your garage door. Woodgrain (wood imitation), is the most common. A smooth finish, available with steel doors only, matches entrance doors well. Different models with raised panels or grooves are also available.

The colour

The great majority of doors on the market are finished with a baked-on corrosion-resistant polyester paint and require little maintenance. Soapy water and waxing once a year are enough to preserve its finish for many years.

Paint manufacturers have developed a vast choice of colours in order to harmonize garage doors with entrance doors and windows. You may also wish to paint your garage door in the colour of your choice, if the manufacturer does not offer your choice of colour. Colour choices will vary from one model to another. Manufacturers offer certain products in white only, while others offer up to 16 choices of colours.

Measure your garage door

The dimension of a door is given as width x height
  • To find the height, measure the height from the floor to the frame in 3 locations: left, right and centre. Use the largest of the 3 measurements.
  • to find the width, measure the width from frame to frame in 3 locations: bottom, middle and top. Use the largest of the 3 measurements.
  • Headroom space. Various types of mechanisms are available, according to the space available between the top of the frame and the finished ceiling. Measure from the ceiling to the top frame of the door. The ideal dimension is 12 inches (305 mm) plus 2 inches (50 mm) for the garage door opener.
  • Depth: You must be sure that there are no obstructions (pipes, tank, etc.) in the door path. If there are, note them and notify your specialist. The dimensions of your door will also influence your choice. Certain models offer only standard measurements, while others offer non-standard door sizes in 1-inch increments for height and width.


Never use your existing garage door as a guide.
It’s always easier to shop when one knows the product. Without becoming an expert, you are now well informed, enough to choose the right new garage door for your needs.

Good shopping!
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