The popularity of carriage house garage doors is growing across the United States. Replacing old, bland or dated models with the carriage or coach house style can improve your home’s curb appeal significantly, potentially increasing its value and salability. But the real reason many people have adopted this style is the aesthetic value it brings to the home. The elegant handcrafted look is both classic and on trend today. Types of Carriage or Coach House Doors The beauty of the carriage door style is that there are many variations designed to match all types of architectural and design styles. The first option is fabricated completely of hard or soft wood, typically cedar, pine or fir. Other styles utilize plywood or engineered wood for a more affordable choice. For an even more budget-friendly option, many manufacturers offer metal models that mimic the texture and grain of real wood. Although this style lacks the authenticity of the solid or engineered wood styles, it requires much less work to maintain. For a truly unique look, some manufacturers offer doors made of reclaimed wood along with fully customized options that match your home’s architectural style. Most models roll up just as a traditional door does, but at the higher end you can choose to have your doors swing out as a pair, like a traditional coach house’s doors would. Options include various window configurations and decorative hardware add-ons. Maintaining Carriage-Style Doors If you select a traditional aluminum or steel model styled to resemble wood, it will require no more maintenance than a standard model. These are typically produced with factory finish paint colors but can be painted on site to match the home. Those made of plywood or engineered overlay (sometimes called wood composite) are also paint-grade, requiring touch-up only as needed and repainting about as often as you would your home’s wood trim. The higher-end models using cedar, fir or redwood require stain just as any other fine wood door. The more expensive the door, the more often it will require restaining. True custom doors require an annual application of stain to keep them in good shape. With regard to mechanical operation, the swing-out style is prone to problems, especially if installed in an area with weather extremes. In response to this problem, most styles are available with a swing-out appearance but with a standard overhead operation. Adding a Carriage-Style Door to Your Home Installing a carriage-style garage door is a simple process, like installing a traditional model. Think about the weather in your area, especially if you are considering a solid wood model. Metal and composite coach house doors are available with various types of insulation as well, typically polyurethane or polystyrene, with R-values up to 20. The only reliable way to know whether this style of door will work for your home is to contact a licensed garage-door contractor in your area. A trained professional will measure your space and evaluate the amount of clearance available for automatic opener installation. They can show you the range of choices available and help you compare the various features and pricing. Before you know it, your home will be the envy of the neighborhood with your brand-new carriage house garage doors
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