Giving Old Garage Doors a New Life
You may not be in need of a brand-new garage door but breathing some new life into the old one that you already have can make a big difference in the overall curb appeal of your home. Adding that little bit of personal touch to your old garage doors can completely change the appearance of your property.
If your door is still functioning fine, let’s take a look at a few ways you can transform it into something that looks brand new.
Why is Your Garage Door So Important in Regard to Appearance?
If you think about it, your garage door likely takes up a big part of the front of your home. Most houses have a garage that takes up about 30 percent of their exterior design.
Since your garage stands out due to its size, it makes sense to keep it in good condition. When people are drawn to your garage door it shouldn’t be because it’s an eyesore.
Rather, you want it to catch a person’s eye because of its color or unique design. If you’re in the process of updating the exterior of your home, don’t forget about changing up the garage door.
Paint Your Old Garage Doors
A new coat of paint can make an old garage door look brand new. It’s also a job that you can easily complete yourself.
Affordable but extremely effective, think closely about the color that you should choose to match the rest of your home while giving your garage door a new look.
If you’re adventurous, choose a color that really stands out. Popular bold colors include blues, reds, and gold. If you’re more conservative, navy blue, gray, black, and green is a bit more neutral.
It’s important that you prepare your old garage doors properly before you start painting. Otherwise, the paint could end up peeling off or looking rippled.
If your garage door is made of wood, you’ll want to sand off any old loose paint and fill in cracks that exist. Metal doors should be prepared by sanding away rust spots completely.
Regardless of what material your door is made out of, make sure you wash it and let it dry before getting started with the painting process.
You can create a fake wood look by using a faux-staining product on your existing garage door. After washing your door, apply the product as directed.
You usually have to paint a few different layers of product onto your garage door. They generally vary in color a bit but are part of the same tonal family.
The product goes on quickly but dries a lot faster than paint do so you’ll need to work in small areas at a time. You can top the glaze with a clear coat if you’re looking for more of a high sheen appearance.
Complete this process on a day when the sun isn’t beating on your garage door. Otherwise, the glaze may dry too quickly.
Adding Detail to Your Garage Door
If you have old garage doors that are very basic and plain, you may want to add some architectural detail that adds more definition. Fake windows can be purchased and added to your garage door.
You can also paint the sections of your door that look like windows. You can add hardware, whether it is needed to open your garage door or not.
Barcelona straps and spade straps are commonly used for garage doors. The goal is to break up the look of a plain garage door by adding some fine details.
Changing Out Weather Stripping and Seals
Around your garage door there should be weather stripping and seals that are used to keep out moisture and prevent critters from coming in. After a few years, it’s likely that these pieces look old, worn out, and discolored.
They may even be torn or damaged from being exposed to the elements. You can easily replace these items in an afternoon. You’ll be surprised at how different your entire door looks for under $100.
Update the Area around Your Garage Door
The space around your garage door may be covered in siding material, brick, stone, or clapboard. If that material looks damaged or worn, this can make your garage door look bleak and old.
You can consider painting old brick or clapboard, replacing siding, or repairing any loose stones that may be present.
If you have a faux vent or decorative item above the garage, you may want to replace that as well to freshen everything up. These changes are usually very affordable but make a big difference.
Consider Your Garage Door Opener
Garage door opener units have come a long way since they were originally created. They now sell whisper-quiet units that are very efficient and safe, and they can even be installed on old garage doors.
If you have an older garage door opener that squeaks and creaks the entire time it’s opening and closing, think about investing in a new unit.
Your neighbors will surely thank you and people walking by won’t think your garage door is incredibly old and dilapidated.
If you’re interested in skipping the DIY project altogether, you can consider purchasing a brand-new garage door to replace your old garage doors.
This installation will increase the curb appeal of your home while also boosting the security of your property. There are a number of styles and colors to choose from, so you can customize your home any way that you want.
