If you’re a homeowner, you may have wondered about what simple, affordable, and beneficial investments you can make to upgrade your home. Whether you’re thinking about adding a home theater or maybe that kitchen you’ve always dreamed of, it’s more than likely that you won’t be thinking about your garage door.

Garage doors play an important role in your home. It is most likely one of the largest exterior elements of your home, and more and more homeowners are using them, whether they use them as car storage and protection, workout area — the possibilities are endless! As a homeowner, it may be difficult to recognize why you need a new garage door. Check out some common signs that indicate you’re ready to upgrade your garage door.

INCREASED CURB APPEAL

If you have an older garage door, replacing it with a new one can significantly improve the value of your home, increasing the likelihood of attracting buyers when (and if) you decide to sell. When it comes to real estate, home buyers are searching for new and trending designs, and having a new garage door is something that may influence their purchase. By removing a bland and boring garage door and replacing it with a modern model and design, you can completely transform the exterior of your home.

SAFETY UPGRADE

Compared to the newer models, older garages doors are typically not as safe. To start, if you haven’t replaced your garage door springs in five to 10 years, there is really no telling when it will give out. Once the springs break, the garage door won’t open properly. And, if the door is open when the springs finally give out, the door can come crashing down on whatever is in its path. Overall, a new garage door can reduce the risk of injury by utilizing a motion sensor that indicates when an object is in the door’s path, stopping it from closing. If your garage door is older than 25 years, you more than likely don’t have motion sensors, increasing the risk of injury and damage.

ENERGY EFFICIENT

Not only is a new garage door safer, it can also increase your home’s energy efficiency, lowering your energy bills. If you notice that your energy bills are skyrocketing during the peaks of the summer and winter seasons, your garage door may be part of the problem. A garage door that is not properly insulated will allow heat and cold air to enter your home. And if your heating and cooling extend to your garage, you’re just throwing money away, as the warm and cool air can easily escape through your garage. To ensure your heating and cooling is operating to its potential, and to conserve energy, an old garage door should be replaced with an insulated model. An insulated garage will keep HVAC-controlled air inside, in addition to keeping outside air from getting in, which will end up saving you some money on your energy bill each month.

SIGNIFICANT NOISE REDUCTION

We all know that obnoxious noise that old garage doors make when opening that is usually loud enough to wake someone from their sleep. However, a modern garage door opener will feature quieter technology, like a rubber belt, which makes significantly less noise than the outdated, standard chain drive. A new garage door will not only be quieter opening and closing, it can also reduce outside noise as well, especially if it is insulated.

INCREASED SECURITY

Compared to newer garage openers, the older ones are more vulnerable to break-ins. This can end up being a major problem, especially if your garage is an access point into your home. Old garages may have lost their performance efficiency, making them easy to get into. However, thanks to the improvements and security features of new garage doors, they are much easier to break into. To ensure security and protection of garage doors, it is recommended to install new openers that come with modern security features, like a rolling code that changes each time the door is opened. And, some garage door openers feature technology that will allow you to open and close your garage door with a smartphone, computer, or tablet.

PROFESSIONAL GARAGE DOOR INSTALLATION

If you’re a homeowner in Pensacola, or the surrounding areas, and are looking to invest in a new garage door, contact the trusted professionals at RTS All American Garage Doors! We have a variety of high-quality garage doors and garage door openers to fit your needs. To schedule an appointment, find your nearest RTS All American Garage Door location, contact our garage door professionals today!