Curb appeal is simply the visual attractiveness of a home from the street. For many people, garage doors are a huge part of this attractiveness. Primarily, this is because the garage door is so much of the front of the house. Additionally, they are often designed to match the trim of the home, so it stands out against the color of the rest of the house. This week join us as we break down how garage doors impact curb appeal.
Why Curb Appeal Is Important
Curb appeal is primarily important for marketing your house to other people. Whether you’re selling, renting long-term, or short-term renting with an outside company, appearance is a huge part of success. It is literally the first impression a house gives potential new residents, so it needs to count.
Additionally, many neighborhoods have a Homeowner’s Association. These associations often set rules for what the front elevations of homes can look like. If your house falls below a certain level of curb appeal, you may have to pay fines or attend a hearing.
How Garage Doors Play Into Curb Appeal
On average, garage doors take up a third of the front of a house. There is no reasonable way to address curb appeal without examining the garage door. A good garage door does not draw attention. However, a bad garage door is extremely harmful to a home’s appearance.
A struggle with garage doors is that they take more wear and tear than most parts of a house. Your walls and roof do not have to worry about being used every day, they just exist. A garage door is opened and closed about 1500 times a year. If you do not take careful care of it, it can easily start to look dingy or damaged. Thus damaging curb appeal greatly.
For garage doors, you get what you pay for. However, the investment that you put into your garage door will come back to you in the future. Quality garage doors can greatly improve the value of a house.
What Components Of A Garage Door Impact Curb Appeal?
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Color
The color of the door should fit the trim of the house. The easiest combination is with lighter walls and a darker door and trim. A light door is more difficult to clean. It shows signs of wear and tear more easily. A dark door can handle more use than a bright white door.
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Shape
A unique shape of a garage door can increase curb appeal. Consider options such as a carriage-style garage door. Carriage-style doors look elegant and stately, but still offer the convenience of a modern garage door. It is truly the best of both worlds for homeowners.
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Windows
Windows on a garage door are a great boost to the aesthetic. It reduces the bulkier appearance of most garage doors. The glass breaks up the solid appearance of the steel and composite garage doors traditional in modern homes. Windows add an extra step to the maintenance process, but the boost it gives the garage door’s curb appeal is worth it.