Garage Door Panel Design Guide
What’s the Best Panel Design for Your Home?
Your garage door is one of the first things people notice about your home. It’s an opportunity to make a lasting impression, increase your home’s value, and improve its overall look. Beyond aesthetics, your garage door also plays an important role in your home’s security and energy efficiency.
Garage doors are built to last, and most homeowners don’t replace them often. That’s why choosing the best panel design for your home is so important. This guide will show you different options and factors to consider when choosing your panels.
Long Panel vs. Short Panel Designs
The first decision to make is whether you want a garage door with long or short panels, which will help narrow down your other design options. Both long and short panels come in designs that work well with many different architectural styles.
Short Panel Designs
These are a popular choice for homeowners seeking a blend of aesthetics and functionality. These doors feature a design that incorporates four or more rectangular panels spanning the width of a single-car garage opening.
Short panel designs create a bold and dynamic visual impact that can add interest to your home’s exterior.
Long Panel Designs
Long panels are a stylish and versatile choice for homeowners seeking an elegant and modern look for their home. These doors feature horizontally aligned panels that run the full width of the garage door, giving them a sleek and elongated look.
Their clean lines and contemporary design make them a perfect fit for a variety of architectural styles, from traditional to contemporary, adding a touch of sophistication to any home.
The different panel styles may have exclusive design options, but the style you choose will mostly come down to your home’s overall aesthetic and your personal preference.
Short Panel Garage Door
Long Panel Garage Door
Styles, Designs & Patterns
Certain designs are specific to particular garage door materials, styles, or manufacturers and may differ depending on your location. Get in touch with us for more information about available design choices.
Carriage House
Carriage house panels add a rustic aesthetic to homes and offer a variety of design options, such as extended vertical panels, diagonal patterns, barn-inspired motifs, embellishments, and decorative hinges and handles.
Raised Panel
Raised garage door panels are known for their distinctive, eye-catching design. These panels feature raised rectangular patterns that create a sense of depth and dimension.
Recessed Panel
The opposite of raised panels, these panels have a smooth surface which is set back or “recessed” within the frame of the door. This design creates a clean and minimalist aesthetic.
Ribbed Panel
These panels feature a series of horizontal ridges or ribs that run across the surface of the door. They’re available in various materials, including steel, aluminum, and wood.
Bead Board Panels
Short and long bead board panels feature rectangular shapes with vertical lines, which serve as decorative embellishments and add depth and character to your home’s exterior.
Flush Panels
Flush panels maintain a uniform surface without any raised or recessed sections, creating a minimalist and contemporary look that complements many popular architectural styles.
Garage Door Panel Materials
Choosing the right garage door material is just as important as the panel design. Different materials can affect your door’s appearance and design options. Climate matters, too – certain materials perform better in various weather conditions like extreme heat, harsh cold, or heavy precipitation. Insulation is another factor that can affect energy efficiency and temperature control.
Balancing aesthetics, durability, and climate requirements will ensure your garage door serves both form and function in your home!
Wood composite garage door with short bead board panels.
Wood and wood composite doors are popular for their timeless style and number of customization options. From the rustic charm of carriage house panels to the sleek and modern appeal of recessed and flush panels, there’s a design to suit every home. While wooden doors are beautiful, they often require more maintenance compared to wood composites.
Steel is the most popular garage door material. It has excellent strength and durability, which translates into a longer lifespan and reduced upkeep compared to its wooden counterparts. The combination of sturdiness and minimal maintenance make it a very cost-effective option for new garage doors.
Aluminum doors are lightweight, durable, and easy to operate. One of their standout features is their resistance to corrosion, which makes aluminum a great choice in regions with high humidity or coastal areas where salt air can accelerate metal deterioration. These doors are also versatile and typically come with plenty of customization options.
Vinyl doors are an excellent, long-lasting, low-maintenance panel material. They come equipped with a UV-resistant finish that prevents discoloration and bleaching. Vinyl doors are also resistant to rust and weather-related issues like salty coastal air, high winds, and sand.
Fiberglass is popular for its lightweight nature, which puts less stress on the opener over time. It’s resistant to corrosion, so it’s likely to remain both strong and visually appealing over time, even in harsh weather conditions. Its affordability sets it apart from many other materials, making it a cost-effective option that doesn’t compromise on quality or style.
Glass panels introduce an abundance of natural light that can make even a small area feel more expansive and bright. They come in both transparent and opaque varieties and go especially well with homes that have a sleek, modern look. Despite their limited design options, glass panels can transform your home’s exterior if they’re the right fit!
Which Panel Design Works for Me?
Selecting the ideal garage door is a personal choice that depends on your home, budget, lifestyle, and other specific requirements. You’ll need to consider how the garage door complements your curb appeal while ensuring it matches your lifestyle and provides security for your home.
If you aren’t sure where to start, Precision can help! We make finding the perfect door easy with plenty of styles to choose from, free new door estimates at your home, and free haul away of your previous garage door.
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