Today’s Carriage-House Style Garage Doors are Designed to Make a Statement

The most popular look in garage doors right now is the carriage-house style door. They look like old-fashioned swing-out doors but operate like modern overhead garage doors with the convenience of an automatic opener. The choices for design, color and materials are virtually endless.

Garage door manufacturer Clopay offers several carriage-house garage doors to fit a variety of architectural styles and budgets.

For those who prefer the warmth and character of wood, the Reserve® Collection custom line allows homeowners to create just about any door they can imagine, using the wood of their choice. The semi-custom wood line features a choice of six historically accurate carriage-house designs in three wood species (hemlock, cedar or redwood) and three window designs (arched, square or rectangular). The doors can be painted or stained to complement any exterior color scheme. A center groove and optional decorative antique iron hardware enhance the historic charm. Wooden carriage-house garage doors range in price from $2,500 up to $10,000 depending on the door size, design and finish options. Insulation options vary depending on the manufacturer and construction.

If wood doesn’t fit your budget, but you still want a carriage-house look, manufacturers now offer low-maintenance, insulated steel “look-a-likes.” Unlike wood, a steel carriage house garage door is easier to maintain, and resists fading, warping, cracking or rotting due to exposure.

Clopay’s Coachman® Collection carriage-house style garage doors look like wood on the outside, but are actually crafted of layers of steel and insulation topped with a wood grain finish PVC overlay. The designs vary to complement many architectural styles including Mission, Shaker, traditional, French Country and Victorian. These, too, can be accented with decorative hardware to create the appearance of a historic swing-out door.

The Coachman’s 2”- thick insulation with thermal break provides a high R-value for energy efficiency and noise reduction, while the steel exterior creates a resilient, dent-resistant surface, a key benefit to homeowners with children. The starting price on a standard size single-car Coachman Collection steel carriage-house door is $1,200. A double door is about $2,500.

Clopay’s other steel garage door option, the Gallery® Collection, bridges the gap between the popular vintage design and affordability. The Gallery Collection’s signature look consists of grooved panels constructed from heavy gauge steel embossed with a woodgrain texture. Multiple design combinations with windows, insulation and hardware are available. Prices start at around $600 for a single-car garage door, $900 for a double door.

Going Shopping

Here are factors to consider when selecting a garage door.

-Budget. Like everything, budget dictates options. Garage doors range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the size, materials and design you choose. Even if you have a small budget you can still get a great looking door that is going to enhance your home’s cur appeal.

-Design. Let your home’s architectural style, the shape and size of the windows and entry doors, and exterior design details influence the look of the garage door.

It’s a good idea to visit dealer showrooms and review garage door manufacturer web sites to get a sense of the options available. Many companies, including Clopay, offer a Web-based design tool that allows you to upload a photo of your home to see how various garage door styles look.

-Insulation. Garage doors can be insulated or non-insulated. If your garage is attached to your house, an insulated garage door can help reduce utility bills – both in hot and cold weather. An insulated door is especially important if there is living space next to or above the garage, or if you utilize the garage as a workshop or additional recreational space.

-If you live in a mild climate or have a detached garage that is only used to park the car, a non-insulated door is an economical choice.

-Maintenance. Every garage door needs regular maintenance to maximize its life and reliability. Steel garage doors are very durable and virtually maintenance-free, whereas wood garage doors will need to be painted or stained every few years.

About the Author:
Mark Westerfield, Director of Product Development and Engineering, Clopay Garage Doors