You get what you pay for. Makes sense, right?
If you pay for something cheap, you get something cheap. If you put down a lot of money for something, then in many cases, the product lasts longer and performs better than a cheaper equivalent would. And when it comes to home security, you really shouldn’t skimp when it comes to cost.
A poor garage door could be the root of a lot of problems that could be avoided by spending a little bit more cash than you would otherwise.
Heating issues
We’ve all been there. It’s early morning. Snow is thick on the ground. Your breath is misting, and your fingers are rapidly numbing as you fumble with your keys, trying to get into your car and get to work. Stop. There’s no need to suffer through this every day of winter. If you have an old, damaged or cheap garage door, then that could be letting the cold air in and lowering the temperature in your garage and throughout the house.
Strong and insulated garage doors save you money. Your garage could be the chink in your home’s armour when it comes to energy efficiency. An improperly insulated door, or worse, a damaged door, will allow cold air into your garage and throughout the house, forcing you to spend more money to heat your home in the winter, and keep it cool in the summer. With an insulated garage door, you can keep this under control. With recent spikes in energy prices, the amount you’ll save even after just a few years will more than offset your extra costs. And then after that, you can start making savings with your airtight new door.
Another issue that could arise is vermin or pest control. Squirrels, mice, rats and birds could seek shelter in your warmer garage, and can squeeze through any cracks or openings in old or damaged doors to get inside. They may even break a hole in the door themselves, if the door is old enough. New doors are less likely to crack under a furry assault and more likely to keep pests out of your garage and home.
Noise
It’s an unfortunate fact that people make noise. Whether it be doing some quick repairs on your car, or listening to music, we tend towards the noisy side of things. An insulated garage door will keep what you do in the garage in the garage, rather than all over the house or even in the neighbourhood.
Having soundproofed your garage, you can then use it for far more than just storing your car. You can convert part of it into a children’s playroom, a party room, or even a man‑cave if you need to get away and watch a game and have a few beers.
By upgrading your garage door, you could essentially add an extra room onto your house at a fraction of the cost. You may need to pitch in some hard work to begin, but any conversions you want to make will be pretty straightforward, depending on the nature of the changes and the general layout of the garage.
Increase Curb Value
It’s always wise to invest in home improvements that are going to pay off down the road if and when you decide to move. Insulated garage doors are on the “wish list” (and quite often, the “must‑have list”) of many house hunters, and may well help you sell your home faster and for a higher price. Old, rusted doors are unsightly, and leave a bad first impression on guests, neighbors and potential buyers.
Another thing to take into account is that garage doors do not need to be regularly replaced. Under normal circumstances, once you install a new door, it could be there for years, maybe even decades. By kicking in a few extra dollars once, you can ensure the visual appeal of your garage, keep your house warm, your heating bills down, and raise the value of your home to a whole other level. The money you’ll save over time will quickly offset the initial extra cost.
And once you’ve installed your new door, maintenance will be a minimal investment. Make sure you oil the hinges and check the chains every now and then, and you’re good. Insulated garage doors are usually injected with polyurethane, which helps protect against any unexpected dents and nicks, like you might pick up from a wayward puck in a game of street hockey. It will also help keep smaller pests out, as long as you secure the door each night.
So toss out your old door and invest in a new, insulated door. Your home and your family will thank you.
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