Boosting Your Curb Appeal with Your Garage

In a competitive real estate market, sellers are always looking for something they can do to improve the values of their properties. They add landscaping, seal the driveway and clean everything from top to bottom.

Yet, if you are in a neighborhood that is well maintained, you may find that every other home has the same basic maintenance done. What can you do to make your home stand out? Consider a new garage door to spruce up your home and make it really shine. When you start to look at the options available to you, you'll find that there are numerous ways to use your garage door to improve the look of your property.

Consider a New Color

Take a look around your neighborhood. Does every garage door look the same? Are they all painted or finished in a neutral color?

One option to make your home's new garage door really draw attention is to use a unique color. You have to be careful here, because a color that is too odd could actually be a drawback. Consider the overall look of your home and choose a color that will complement your home's architecture while still being different from the homes in the neighborhood.

Choose a Unique Material

Are all of the doors in your neighborhood metal or vinyl? Consider upgrading to a real wood door. Wood doors give a home character and a classic look, and they can be an asset to your home's curb appeal. If you don't want to spend more for a real wood door, consider a metal or vinyl door that is finished to look like wood.

Add a Unique Design

Most garage doors look very similar. Four rows of paneling, often decorated with squares and maybe a row of windows at the top, is fairly standard. Mix this up a bit, and your home will stand out. Use a flush style or long panel door.

If you have the budget and the time, consider redoing the door and the frame to add some curves. Arched garage doors instantly grab attention and attract interest in the home.

If your home doesn't give you room for arches, get creative with the four-panel look. Use molding or glass to add a unique design to this standard shape. Vertical paneling and arched windows can also make the door stand out, without changing its overall shape. Paint the panels to match your siding and the trim to match the house's trim for a distinctive, yet classic look. Perhaps your home has a country look — if so, then consider upgrading to a barn-like door to give your home better character and charm.

Upgrade the Finishing Touches

From the handle to the glass in the windows, the finishing touches on your garage door can be the final piece of the puzzle as you try to make it stand out. Wrought-iron decorative touches on the panels can add the distinction you need. Even changing the lighting near your new garage door can make a difference. Upgrade these small touches and give your garage door some extra pizzazz.

Considerations Before Installing

Before you jump on the garage door bandwagon, make sure you do your homework. If you have a homeowners association in your neighborhood, ask what their policies are for adding a new garage door. You wouldn’t want to waste your investment only to find that the style of door you have chosen is not allowed by your HOA. Get a copy of the policies, and choose a garage door that is in line with the rules.

Also, make sure you are aware of the potential return on investment on a new garage door. Adding an upscale garage door brings an average 75.2 percent return on investment. This is a good ROI, but it is not 100 percent. Be sure that the risk of some monetary loss is worthwhile for the benefits you receive, such as a potentially faster sale and a higher overall sale price. For many homeowners who want to sell quickly, it is!

Finally, no matter what changes you make, keep the overall look of your home in mind. The new style needs to blend with the architecture and color of your home, or else the home will stand out for the wrong reasons.

Adding a new garage door can be a valuable way to make your home look distinctive and increase the curb appeal to potential buyers. If you are thinking about selling your home in the near future, consider making this change now to improve your selling experience.

Industry expert Justin White has vast knowledge on all residential & commercial garage door products, including garage doors, garage door openers, and garage door operators. White is currently the Marketing Director for Mid-Atlantic Door Group, a leading distributor for Overhead Door Corp.