Representing up to 40% of your home’s facade, a garage door has huge style potential. “It can instantly add character, depth and visual warmth to your home,” architectural designer Elyse McCurdy says. Looking to take your door to the next level? Match it to your home’s architecture. “It’s such a big part of your house, so you want it to look authentic,” custom builder Marnie Oursler says. Read on to see which kinds of garage doors pair well with six popular home styles, and get inspired to work some curb appeal magic of your own.
Classic Craftsman
Does your home feature tapered columns and a low-pitched roof, along with natural, neutral colors and mixed materials such as brick or stone? If so, try a garage door with clean vertical lines rectangular windows and handcrafted-look details, as seen here. Mimic your home’s window grilles for an authentic touch.
Tip: Consider budget, upkeep and your region’s climate when choosing a garage door. Insulated composite and steel can withstand extreme temperature changes, with moisture- and UV-resistant composite performing better than steel in coastal locales.
Farmhouse Fresh
This look centers around an abundance of natural light, vintage charm and a crisp white palette accented with black details. Complement a farmhouse-style home with a garage door in a wood tone or painted gray, white or black. Get crossbuck panels reminiscent of a barn door if you want something more rustic.
Refined Rustic
Natural materials such as hand-hewn stone and wood merge with earthy hues in this aesthetic. A carriage house style in a rich wood tone such as redwood, cedar or hemlock works well. And for rustic, you may want to try a solid door versus one with windows in it.
The home seen here sports custom handcrafted wood doors with crossbucks for a frontier feel. To achieve the look of real wood without the upkeep, select high-quality wood-effect composite. This durable material resists moisture and won’t rot, warp or crack.
Tip: In its 2020 Cost vs. Value Report, which you can download free, the website Remodeling reports that a garage door upgrade brings a 95% return on investment, on average. Clopay, a garage door manufacturer, reports that it can also increase a home’s list price by up to 4%.
Modern Minimalist
Modern architecture is all about clean lines, horizontal plank designs and smooth materials such as wood, aluminum and steel. Glass-paneled doors are in keeping with the emphasis on indoor-outdoor connections.
Tip: Choose an insulated garage door to keep your garage 10 to 20 degrees warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, helping you save energy. Insulated doors also are quieter, more secure and more durable.