Imagine pulling up to your home after a long day of work and being greeted by a drab, dingy garage door that looks like it hasn’t been touched since the 90s. Not exactly the warm welcome you were hoping for, right? Now envision driving up to a beautifully renovated garage complete with new custom garage doors designed to perfectly match your home’s style. Which scenario sounds more appealing?
Why Garage Makeovers Matter
Your garage doors are quite possibly the most visible part of your home’s exterior. Whenever someone comes over, it’s the first thing they see when pulling up to your house. Custom garage doors prices vary, but with proper planning you can make big improvements without breaking the bank. An outdated or worn-down garage can make an otherwise beautiful home look less impressive. On the other hand, upgrading your garage with creative new doors makes an excellent first impression and creates instant curb appeal.
Aside from aesthetics, enhancing your garage space also boosts its functionality. Face it, garages tend to turn into disorganized storage rooms over time. Giving your garage a makeover provides the perfect opportunity to install organizational systems like cabinets, shelves and lifts so you can actually park your cars inside. You can also upgrade with conveniences like electrical outlets, insulation, heating and cooling.
The style of your garage doors also reflects your own personal taste and unique home aesthetic. Rather than settling for the builder’s default option, take this chance to express your style through custom doors and design details like decorative hardware, windows, lighting and more. It’s amazing how small touches like these can completely change the look of your home’s exterior.
Finally, a garage renovation adds tangible value to your most important investment – your home. Curb appeal directly impacts perceived home value in the minds of potential buyers. Little improvements like new garage doors make an enormous difference. According to Remodeling Magazine, you can recoup over 90% of the cost of minor garage upgrades at resale. So your makeover pays for itself in increased home value.
Planning Your Garage Makeover
Now that you’re fired up to give your garage a whole new look, it’s time to start planning your makeover. Any successful renovation begins with thorough preparation and research. Follow these steps:
First, take a good hard look at the current condition of your garage. Do the doors function properly or do they stick and catch? Check for signs of deterioration like wood rot, dents, or rusting. Identify any issues that need to be addressed beyond cosmetics.
Next, define your goals and budget for the project. Do you simply want to refresh the space or completely reimagine it? What elements are the highest priority – the doors, flooring, storage, lighting? Outline your must-haves so you can allocate budget accordingly. Many minor upgrades cost less than $500. But if you’re looking to fully transform your garage, expect to spend $5,000 or more.
If undertaking major structural changes, it’s wise to consult a professional garage contractor early in the process. They can advise you on the feasibility of your plans and provide recommendations to optimize functionality. Their expertise ensures your makeover goes smoothly.
Getting Creative with Your New Garage Doors
The centerpiece of your garage makeover is undoubtedly the doors themselves. You have endless options when designing new custom garage doors to transform the look of your home’s exterior. Here are some creative ideas to consider:
The size of your garage doors makes a surprising difference visually. Most standard doors are 7 or 8 feet high. Opting for extended height doors gives your garage a more grand, imposing curb appeal. Just be sure to measure carefully to ensure the doors have room to fully open.
When selecting door materials, steel and wood are classic options. But fiberglass doors offer the beauty of real wood without the maintenance. For a contemporary vibe, aluminum doors feature sleek narrow frames. And for the ultimate modern style, glass garage doors create a light-filled indoor/outdoor feeling.
Strategically placed windows also lend style while allowing natural light into the garage. You can select clear glass, opaque, frosted, tinted, or patterned. For privacy, choose obscured glass which appears opaque from outside but transparent inside.
Additionally, pay close attention to hardware like hinges, handles and decorative accents. Black finishes give a dramatic, bold look. Go for brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze for a more rustic or vintage style. Even hinge straps can add decorative flair.
Additional Upgrades to Consider
While gorgeous new garage doors create the biggest visual impact, take advantage of this opportunity to make other functional enhancements too. Here are some to consider:
Is it time to replace the dreary gray concrete floor with something brighter and easier to maintain? Epoxy coatings create a glossy, polished look in any color. Tiles add durable beauty. Or update with cushioned, slip-resistant floor mats perfect for exercise.
Simple additions like a fresh coat of paint, updated baseboards or painted murals vastly improve the walls visually. Paneling creates texture and can conceal storage. And good lighting transforms the overall feel – go for LEDs to maximize brightness.
While you have easy access, upgrade electrical systems and add more outlets for convenience. Install insulation, heating and cooling to regulate temperature. And if you’re feeling ambitious, drywall the ceiling for a finished look.
Don’t neglect safety and function. New garage door openers with backup batteries increase reliability. Quality weatherstripping improves insulation. And carbon monoxide sensors protect from dangerous exhaust.
Transforming Your Garage Into a Multipurpose Space
A garage makeover presents the perfect chance to reimagine how you use the space. With some creativity, you can convert an empty garage into a functional room for hobbies, storage or even extra living space. Here are some ideas:
Turn your garage into a workshop to pursue woodworking, pottery, jewelry making and other hands-on hobbies. Just add a sturdy workbench, storage for materials, good lighting and ventilation.
Gyms work well in garages because of their open layout and concrete flooring. Install workout flooring, mirrors and equipment like treadmills or weights.
Or channel your inner child and use the space for family fun. Add board games, arcade systems, ping pong or foosball tables, even a projector and screen for movie nights.
For households needing more room, finishing part of the garage creates a bonus multipurpose room for a home office, guest room or kids’ playroom.
Other creative garage conversions seen include man caves, sheds, lounge areas, 3-season patios, art studios, music rooms, game rooms, dog washing stations and more. The possibilities are truly endless given the right floor plan.
Maintaining Your Upgraded Garage
After investing time and money into a beautiful garage makeover, keep it looking fabulous with proper maintenance:
Inspect hardware components on garage doors regularly – hinges, rollers, cables and springs. Tighten any loose fasteners. Lubricate parts to prevent noisy operation and wear.
Test the balance of the doors every 6 months. They should move smoothly and not drift up or down when partially open. Adjust spring tension as needed.
Clean photoelectric sensors so the door reverses properly if obstructed. This safety feature prevents damage or injury if something is underneath while closing.
Check perimeter weatherstripping annually and reattach or replace if deteriorated. Prevent air leaks for better insulation. Caulk around fixtures and pipes penetrating walls.
Minor dents or rust spots on steel doors can be remedied with sanding and touch-up paint to maintain appearances.
Schedule professional tune-ups to keep garage door openers and hardware adjusted for optimal function. This prevents future problems.
With occasional maintenance and cleaning, your upgraded garage maintains its beauty while staying safe and functional for years to come.
The Cost of a Garage Makeover
Like any major home renovation, garage makeovers require a significant upfront investment ranging from a few thousand dollars for minor upgrades up to $15,000 or more for a full overhaul. Time to break down what impacts your total cost:
The main budget item is replacement garage doors themselves. Basic steel doors start around $400. Wood doors cost $800-$2,500 depending on materials. High-end wood carriage houses or glass doors run $3,000 to over $5,000 installed.
If removing existing doors and framing, add demolition costs. New electrical or structural work also adds expense. Any customization, sizing or decorative details increases overall door costs.
Additional upgrades like floor coatings, storage systems, and insulation could add a few hundred to several thousand dollars more depending on materials and scope. Lighting, heating and finished wall treatments fall in this range.
While DIY garage makeovers save on labor, complex installations and wiring are best left to professionals. This expertise costs $50-$100 per hour but protects your investment.
In total, cosmetic upgrades like new doors, paint and lighting could run $2,000-$5,000. Moderate renovations with some structural work land in the $5,000-$10,000 range. And for full-scale overhauls, budget $10,000-$15,000 or more.
To Sum it Up
Reimagining your home’s exterior with a garage makeover and creative new doors rejuvenates curb appeal while adding functionality and value. But where do you start? First, determine your goals and budget. Research designs and materials you love. Maximize storage and convenience during the renovation. Work with qualified garage professionals to properly install custom doors suited to your home’s unique style.
While costs vary based on scope, even smaller upgrades pay dividends for years to come through increased home value and sheer enjoyment of your improved space. A personalized garage makeover truly sets your home apart to impress visitors and provide your household premium functionality. Just be sure to maintain your investment property over time.