Did you know the first “garages” were carriage houses, meant to house horse-drawn buggies? When automobile made their debut, they were stored in these types of garages with outward swinging doors. Since then, garage door technology has improved and turned into the upward-swinging doors we know today, along with other surprising facts.
The First Overhead Door Was Invented in 1921
About 100 years ago, C.G. Johnson improved upon the carriage-style, outward-swinging garage doors and created the first garage door that swung up. This improvement made garage doors easier to open and took up less space. Since then, the technology has improved with buttons, electric motors, and other security features.
There Are 6 Common Door Types
Garage door types and styles have improved to provide the best fit and fill the needs of homeowners.
- Sectional – The most common garage door. Made of multiple linear panels that slide up vertically on rollers and tracks.
- Rolling – Comprised of several mini slats that roll up into a coil above the door. These are ideal for compact spaces.
- Swing-out – These offer a classic appearance and swing outward like traditional doors.
- Slide-to-Side – A unique garage door that opens to the side instead of up. The tracks and rolls take up your wall space, but provide more headroom.
- Folding – Like a bi-fold door, a folding garage has sections that fold and tuck itself away either vertically or horizontally.
- Carriage House – Today’s carriage house garage door imitates the classic look with modern features and technology.
Garages Can Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
If your garage door is connected to your house, then you should have your garage insulated to improve your home’s overall energy efficiency. A non-insulated garage has fluctuating temperatures, is at risk for drafts, and strains your home’s heating and cooling systems. By insulating your garage door, you create a buffer between your home and the outside elements and keep your garage’s temperatures consistent. In the long run, an insulated garage will lower your utility bill and save you money.
A New Garage Door Boosts Your Curb Appeal & ROI
Garage doors are the center of attention to your home’s exterior. When you replace it with a new, improved, and unique door, homeowners see a boost in their curb appeal and have an increased sense of enjoyment. According to the Remodeling Impact Report by the National Association of Realtors, homeowners saw a 100% return on their garage door investment in 2022. Compared to other home improvement projects, getting a new garage door is an easy investment to boost your home’s curb appeal.
Some People Use Their Doors as Art!
Talking about unique garage doors, some people have used their garage doors as art canvasses! People have painted large, stand-out murals on their garage doors, taking custom to a whole new level. Here are some examples of what people have done.
White Is the Most Common Garage Door Color?
While there are thousands of colors to choose from for a garage door, white is the most popular. Why? Well, there are several reasons. You can’t go wrong with white. Whether you have a brick exterior, a bold siding color, or a stone exterior, white will more than likely match it all. White doesn’t stand out, but it is a cheaper color that gets the job done.
Rely on Us
Garage doors have come a long way since their initial creation. The next time you want an upgrade, rely on us, the garage door experts, to help you with the installation.
