Are Swing Garage Doors Right for You?

Are Swing Garage Doors Right for You?

A standard garage door has connected sections that roll up or down during operation. You may be less familiar with another style — a garage door that swings in and out. 

This type is known as a carriage garage door because it resembles the doors installed on carriage houses during the days of horse-drawn wagons. 

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What Are the Advantages of Swing Garage Doors?

A swing out garage door offers many potential advantages for homeowners:

  • Extra space: Traditional doors need the garage’s top level for storage while open, which consumes ceiling space. Because a carriage door swings in and out, it won’t use this area of the garage. You can use this additional space for storing items, reorganizing the garage or other purposes. 
  • Attractive style: Many people love carriage house door designs because they create an elegant look that can complement homes showcasing a range of aesthetics and eras. The enhanced curb appeal could even increase your home’s value and sale price. 
  • Security: Swing doors are solidly built structures crafted from sturdy materials like wood and steel. They typically consist of multiple layers up to 2 inches thick. These door systems are also easy to secure by installing steel chains and locking mechanisms.
  • Versatility: A carriage garage door doesn’t require overhead tracks for movement. Instead, it relies on a hinged swing system that is less obtrusive and can accommodate substantial weight. Your door will glide smoothly during opening and closing.
  • Minimal maintenance: Swinging garage doors require little preventive care to keep them operating smoothly and looking fantastic. The steel and wood materials hold up well against the elements, and they have no electrical or mechanical features to fail and require repairing or replacing. However, you can add an automatic door opener with some models if you prefer.

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Are Swing Doors Suitable for Small Garage Doors?

While swinging doors can fit most garages, they may not be practical in urban areas with smaller lot sizes. A garage door professional can help you determine whether you have sufficient space in front of your garage’s entryway to ensure a successful installation. If you have room for the door to swing open and closed freely, a carriage garage door will suit your property.

Explore Your Carriage Garage Door Options With Blankenship Garage Doors

Blankenship Garage Doors has been helping central Oregon residents find the perfect garage door since 1996. Contact us to learn more about our Clopay® COACHMAN® carriage garage doors and request an estimate today.

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Real Wood vs. Faux Wood Garage Doors

Installing a new garage door is exciting, but before you can enjoy your home’s new look, you have to select a door that will best fit your residence. If you love the appearance of wood and want to see it on your exterior, you could choose from two common door types — faux wood and real wood. Learn more about these two options to ensure the best match for your home.

Real Wood Garage Doors

Real wood doors come in various wood species, such as cedar, oak and alder. When well-maintained, they offer excellent durability and can increase your home’s value — an essential point if you’re aiming to sell your house later. These doors don’t dent like faux wood can, which helps you maintain a beautiful appearance, but real wood can have issues with rot or swelling, making regular upkeep important.

Consider that real wood models tend to cost more than faux wood options due to their authentic quality and personalization. However, this higher price tag comes with numerous benefits. You can choose from a range of paints and stains and vast design options, such as adding windows or changing panel arrangements.

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Faux Wood Garage Doors

Although they often look like the real thing, faux wood doors consist of a fiberglass, steel or aluminum core. They are then covered with composite overlays that are either real wood or faux material resembling wood’s appearance and texture. 

Because of their long-lasting materials, like steel and aluminum, these doors show great durability and require less maintenance than real wood. These garage door materials also tend to result in lower price points, meaning you might pay less to install a faux door with composite overlays.

Which Wood Garage Door Type Is Best for You?

Choosing the proper garage door type depends on how the above factors fit into your lifestyle. A faux wood door might be best for you if:

  • You’re looking for a lower price point on your garage door.
  • You want a lower-maintenance option that will hold up well over time.
  • You want a quicker and easier installation, as faux wood models are lighter than real wood.
  • You live in a storm-prone or humid area that would affect a real wood door’s appearance.

Alternatively, you might choose a real wood door if:

  • You want an authentic, unique real-wood look for your garage door.
  • You’d like more customizability in your door, such as stains, wood types and panel sections.
  • You want to increase your home’s value and potentially get a higher return on investment when selling.
  • You have the time and resources to keep up with consistent wood garage door maintenance needs.

Contact Blankenship Garage Doors for Installation

Whether you’ve chosen between faux and real wood or you could use more guidance, Blankenship Garage Doors will be there for your next project.

We’re a Clopay® Master Authorized Dealer® that’s been operating in central Oregon since 1996. We know what it takes to service and install garage doors with care and integrity, and we’ll assist you when you need to decide on the right model for your residence. Once you’ve chosen, we can install your door with expert care.

Get in touch with us today to request a free estimate on a new door.

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