| Steel garage doors are standard on many homes | | | | octagon and half standard square patterns or |
| that were built in the 50s and 60's and then through | | | | diamonds resting on their side while other steel |
| the 80s but as steel prices began to climb; housing | | | | garage doors have what could only be described as a |
| designers, builders and manufactures began to | | | | barn-door look about them only they lift up from the |
| experiment with other materials for garages such as | | | | bottom. |
| wood, a fiberglass composite and aluminum. | | | | Furthermore, steel doors are now custom painted to |
| However, steel proved to be the best choice for a | | | | match any color home siding and not always banished |
| sturdy garage door that could withstand wind, rain | | | | to the standard white. There are also colors that |
| and snow. | | | | contrast and compliment a houses colors such as a |
| Typically, steel doors are manufactured with a high | | | | light blue for a dark blue house or black for a white |
| grade steel of 24 or 25 gauge which helps to insure | | | | house with black trim and shutters. Each of these |
| security and durability. Many of the steel garage | | | | colored steel doors could also have the raised trim |
| doors have an aluminum bottom weather-seal | | | | painted a darker color or a contrasting color to |
| retainer system to help keep elements such as rain | | | | highlight the doors and bring more 'life' to them. It |
| and snow out of the garage. When looking at steel | | | | also helps to make the house look more complete, |
| garage doors, make sure the garage door has a | | | | what real estate agents call 'curb appeal.' |
| weather-seal and it's made of a rust-resistant | | | | Some, but not all, homeowners like to put windows in |
| aluminum. | | | | their steel doors and those come in a variety of |
| A steel garage door could also come with galvanized | | | | shapes and sizes as well. There are arched windows, |
| steel hinges which are usually durable, reliable - you | | | | squared windows, round or porthole windows and |
| don't want your car to be stuck in the garage - and | | | | then each of these in smaller sizes. The windows |
| secure. The rollers are also an important part of the | | | | could be tinted or insulated to help keep the |
| garage door operation, they should be quiet and | | | | elements and prying eyes from looking in. |
| durably, some are made of nylon which provides a | | | | Steel doors will traditionally be an option on track |
| smooth action when lifting the door. | | | | homes - the homes that are all one style or design in |
| Many of the steel doors come in a variety of shapes | | | | a neighborhood, although they could show up in any |
| and styles and are not simply regulated to the | | | | neighborhood and in an older or newer home. These |
| traditional 'blocks' or squares of older doors. Some | | | | doors are both functional and fashionable in many |
| have small window shapes; some have large half | | | | styles and colors. |