Can I install a garage door myself?

If you have handyman skills, you can install your new garage door yourself. However, the labor costs that you’ll save may not be worth the time and effort. Most full-service garage door retailers offer garage door installation service as a part of your garage door purchase, making for a simple buying process.

Can you insulate a garage door?

Yes, you can. Modern garage doors can come with insulation already installed on them. If your garage door doesn’t have insulation, you can add some with polystyrene panels that you place on the backside of the door.

How do you draft proof a garage door?

The most common place for drafts is the bottom of the door. Add or replace the weather stripping on the bottom of the door to create an airtight seal. Check the top of your door, also, and replace the seal there if necessary.

12 Garage Door Design Ideas and Colors

“The doctor must have put my pacemaker in wrong. Every time my husband kisses me, the garage door goes up.” – Minnie Pearl

Your garage door can make or break your home’s curb appeal. If you are ready to change the look of your home, then consider upgrading your home with a new garage door. Instead of choosing a basic metal door with no design, consider something unique. Choose a color other than the standard or add glass panels. Your garage door should complement the colors and architectural design of your home.

These garage door ideas will help you do more with your garage door.

1. Brown Garage Door

Choosing a sectional garage door in a brown color will look good with a house that already has earthy tones on the exterior. Then your overhead door will match the rest of the home by complementing the colors that are already present.

Wooden garage door with glass windows on top

Add a custom look to your home by choosing a shade that compliments the colors already present. This could be a soft tan color or one that looks more like rust. Hold the paint chips up to the natural stone on the exterior of your home and see how it changes its look. Choosing the right color will bring out its beauty, while the wrong color can actually dull the look of the stone.

2. Roll-Up Garage Door

A roll-up garage door is a practical and space-efficient option for homeowners. This type of door operates by rolling up around a drum located above the door opening, offering a compact solution for garages with limited headroom.

Grey roll up garage door with stone wall and shrubs

Roll-up garage doors are typically made from durable materials like steel, making them a sturdy choice for both residential and commercial properties. The design flexibility allows for customization in terms of color and finish, making it easy to match the exterior of your home. Roll-up doors are also known for their low maintenance and high-security features.

3. Sectional Garage Door

The sectional garage door is a popular choice, known for its versatility and modern appearance. Composed of panel sections connected with hinges, these doors bend and move along a track as the door opens and closes. The design allows for a variety of window and color options, making it easy to personalize to your home’s aesthetic.

Open beige sectional garage door in a stone building

This type of door is space-efficient, opening vertically and requiring no extra space outside to operate. Sectional doors provide excellent thermal insulation and are ideal for keeping your garage temperature regulated.

4. Double Garage Doors

Double garage doors are an excellent solution for larger garages, designed to accommodate multiple vehicles or a spacious workshop area. These doors can be a statement piece for your home’s facade, offering an array of design options from traditional to contemporary styles. They can be customized in a variety of materials, including wood, steel, and fiberglass, to complement your home’s exterior.

Partially open double garage door with blooming shrubs

Twin brown garage doors with upper window panels

White arched garage doors on a blue facade with lamps

Double doors also offer the convenience of a wider entrance, making it easier to move large items in and out of your garage. When choosing a double garage door, consider the added weight and ensure your garage has the appropriate support and a powerful enough opener.

5. Glass Garage Doors

Glass garage doors are a stunning and modern addition to any home, bringing a sleek and contemporary edge to your garage. These doors are typically made from a combination of glass panels and a metal frame, offering both elegance and durability. The glass allows natural light to flood into your garage, creating a bright and inviting space.

Modern home with glass paneled garage door

Empty garage interior with open glass door

Glass garage doors are perfect for homeowners looking to blend indoor and outdoor living spaces, especially when used as a partition for living areas or patios. While offering aesthetic appeal, it’s important to consider privacy and insulation factors when opting for glass garage doors.

6. Contemporary Garage Doors with Glass Elements

If your home has a modern design, then you need a contemporary door to match. The majority of fiberglass garage doors tend to look generic and the same. You can give yours a modern feel with frosted glass panels. These windows are typically located at the top of the door. This adds decor without sacrificing security.

Modern house with wooden garage door and stone pillars — Source: @allstatelocksmith via Instagram

Modern home with stylish wood garage door — Source: @quickfix_garage_doors_gates via Instagram

Triple beige garage doors on white brick home

If you want an ultra-modern look, consider replacing your current door with an all-glass garage door. It should be frosted glass to prevent anyone from being able to see into your garage through the glass door. Consider one with multiple panes and a solid frame. The smaller glass panels will be easier to maintain.

7. Dark Garage Doors for Light Homes

A dark garage door is a beautiful contrast to a light-colored house. The contrast between light and dark creates visual interest and increases the design aspect of your home’s exterior. While you could paint your garage door the ultimate dark color, black, this will be hard to maintain. Choose a dark color that will also last for your garage door design.

Contemporary house with dark reflective garage door — Source: @baualu_official via Instagram

Modern red and stone house with black garage door — Source: @chioverheaddoors via Instagram

Brick house with dark garage doors and Christmas wreath — Source: @doorsmithtoronto via Instagram

Black or very dark gray garage doors tend to be used most often on modern homes. However, black carriage-style doors can give your home an interesting design. If you aren’t ready to commit to black or gray, consider other dark colors, such as navy, dark green, or maroon.

8. Gray Garage Door Shades

Gray is everywhere in modern design, so it’s no surprise you will easily find grey garage doors. Some garage door manufacturers have several shades of grey to choose from. The shade you choose will influence your garage door style.

Elegant home with four blue garage doors — Source: @buildwithdavies via Instagram

House with textured grey garage door and tropical landscaping — Source: @chioverheaddoors via Instagram

Traditional farmhouse with grey garage doors and brick accents — Source: @dogwoodfarmhouse via Instagram

Home with double gray garage doors and stone pillar

Modern white home with two gray garage doors and lush greenery — Source: @chioverheaddoors via Instagram

Gray garage door on a red brick house with wall lanterns

You can buy a basic panel garage door that will appeal to the majority of future homeowners. However, if you want to have a more energy-efficient door, consider an insulated garage door. The front will look like every other raised panel door, but the back will have a thick insulation layer.

9. Metal Garage Doors in Steel and Aluminum

A metal garage door is durable and strong, making it a smart choice for your garage. You have the option of choosing from a steel garage door or aluminum garage doors. Steel doors are heavier and more durable. Aluminum doors are more affordable and lightweight.

Industrial roll up metal garage door on blue facade — Source: @highlandsgaragedoors via Instagram

Green roller garage door on a brick building with tiled roof — Source: @julianburridgegaragedoors via Instagram

Modern garage with gray and red sectional door — Source: @zenit_brany via Instagram

Suburban home with twin dark roller garage doors

The garage door material you choose will depend on your budget and how much wear and tear you expect your garage door to see. In addition to the door, you will likely have an aluminum frame around the opening. This cladding finishes the look of your garage door and helps your doorframe to last longer.

10. Paint Your Garage Door

Most garage doors are a standard color of white, tan, or grey. This makes the most sense for most attached garages because the neutral color gives you the more freedom when choosing the color of your home. They also help your home retain broad curb appeal.

Quaint garage with turquoise doors and white trim — Source: @sisselia via Instagram

Stone house with a brown garage door and glass panels — Source: @truckeeoverheaddoor via Instagram

Row of houses with colorful garage doors under blue sky

Brick house with double yellow garage doors and a potted plant

House with olive green garage door and white wall lamps

Dual green garage doors on a beige house with landscaping

However, they aren’t your only option. You can paint your garage door a custom color. When choosing your garage door color, think about the impact that color will make on your home. The garage door takes up a lot of visual space, and the wrong color can be overwhelming. If you want to create a unique design, you could choose two or three colors. Then use one for the main areas and another accent color for the recessed panels.

11. Keep It Rustic With Wood

If you love the farmhouse and rustic look, you can add a wood door to your garage. However, a wooden garage door is expensive and heavy. A better option is to create a custom garage door by using faux wood. This lets you have the look of a carriage-style door without the weight or expense.

Beige house with a wooden patterned garage door — Source: @ateamgaragedoors via Instagram

Wooden garage door with glass windows on a brick house — Source: @chioverheaddoors via Instagram

Cabin garage with ornate wooden doors in forest setting — Source: @truckeeoverheaddoor via Instagram

If you aren’t ready to replace your garage door, consider painting your current one. Start with brown paint in the shade close to the type of wood you want to emulate. This could be a dark chocolate brown or something lighter and closer to a camel color. Then use one to three brown shades in the same family, but each darker or lighter than your first shade. Use these to create the wood grain and texture.

12. White Garage Doors for a Bright Facade

White doors are crisp and clean looking, helping to brighten up the look of your entire home. In addition, this helps to improve your home’s curb appeal. You could choose the color white for any type of door, from fiberglass to wood carriage doors. They could even be on your detached garage.

Simple white garage on a siding house with asphalt shingles — Source: @hammeriteaustralia via Instagram

Double white arched garage doors on a brick house — Source: @straightedge_c.p_inc via Instagram

Charming garage with white doors and a landscaped driveway — Source: @tracydunndesign via Instagram

Suburban home with a white paneled garage door and greenery

Craftsman style home with white garage door and paved driveway

Rustic house with white wooden garage door

Rustic house with white wooden garage door and stone accents

You can easily do a garage door makeover by painting your current garage door white. Start by using fine-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface of the door. This will help the paint to stick better. Then use durable outdoor paint to apply a thin layer of paint to the door. It’s better to do several thin coats than one thick coat. This will help prevent it from easily scraping off.