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Angie's List: Garage Door Replacement Tips

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Few of us think much about our garage door until it stops working or it becomes so weather-beaten, it's an eyesore.

From looks to safety features to energy savings, there's a lot to consider.

Angie's List has some tips to guide you through the ups and downs of garage door decisions.

Your garage door may be the first thing people notice when they pull up to your house, but appearance is just one consideration when investing in a new one.

"When replacing your garage door, there are lots of choices, so you either want to visit the garage company's showroom or have them come out to your house. There's great technology nowadays where they can take a picture of your house and show you what different doors will look like on your home," Angie Hicks of Angie's List said.

Beyond the look, the construction of the door is really important. It's the biggest moving part of your home and you want it to work well for a long time.

"The best-selling garage doors today are mostly steel garage doors, but carriage house designs are really growing in popularity," garage door professional Justin Evans said.

The average 16-by-7-foot steel door will cost anywhere from $750 to $3,500 depending on thickness and insulation. A rust-resistant aluminum door may be better for humid climates, while wood looks great and offers more options.

"Wood has classic charm. It's completely flexible in terms of design. You can get more designs in wood, more custom-type doors in wood than you can with any material," Evans said.

Faux wood is something else to consider. There's less maintenance and usually less cost, than real wood. One more thing to think about is how your garage door affects your energy bill.

"If your garage is connected to your home, you should really consider investing in an insulated garage door - especially if you have a room above your garage. This will help your energy costs as well as reduce noise in your home," Hicks said.

The price of your new door should include the installation, but Hicks said to confirm that with your dealer.

Also, an automatic opener is a separate item, so make sure it has enough horsepower to easily raise and lower your door safely.

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