Garage Door Design Trends for 2024

Garage doors have evolved significantly in terms of style and functionality, reflecting broader architectural trends and advancements in materials and technology.

Thinking about installing a new garage door? Getting ready to sell your home and you are looking to increase your curb appeal? At Garage Door Doctor, we are here to help. Call today to enhance your home with these hot garage door design trends:

Garage Doors in Wood and Earth Tones

This year we’re seeing a shift from black garage doors to wood and earth tone doors. This shift towards embracing the natural beauty of wood with finishes that highlight its grain and texture is happening both inside and outside of the home. When selecting a wood tone for a garage door, consider factors such as the architectural style of your home, the surrounding landscape, and personal preference.

• • Natural Wood: Opting for a natural wood color allows you to showcase the beauty of the wood grain. Cedar, redwood, and mahogany are popular choices for their rich tones and natural beauty. These woods can take a clear finish for a natural look or accept various stains to enhance their color and protect them from the elements. Pro tip: put a layer of protection on wood doors.
  • Stained Wood: Staining wood allows you to customize the color while still preserving the natural beauty of the wood grain. You can choose from a wide range of stain colors, from light to dark, to complement your home’s exterior. Popular stain colors for garage doors include honey oak, walnut, and chestnut.
  • Simulated Wood: Natural wood doors are stunning but do require regular maintenance to ensure the wood is protected from mother nature. For those looking for the wood look without the maintenance (or price), just about all of the major garage door manufacturers are producing excellent simulated wood finishes.

Garage Doors with Windows

Another popular garage door design trend is the use of windows, particularly if you spend a lot of time in your garage. Glass in garage doors can serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. Some benefits of garage doors with glass windows include:

• Natural Light: One of the primary benefits of windows in garage doors is the influx of natural light they provide. This can help brighten up the garage space during the day, making it more inviting and usable for tasks such as woodworking and car maintenance and for those that use their garage for working out and as a kids’ play area.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Glass windows can add visual interest and curb appeal to your home’s exterior. They come in various styles and shapes, allowing you to customize the look of your garage door to complement the architectural style of your home.
• Customization: Windows offer a high level of customization, allowing you to choose the size, shape, and placement of the windows on your garage door. This, with the addition of insert options, enables you to create a unique and personalized look that reflects your individual style preferences. Pro tip: if you have window inserts that just aren’t your style, you can often swap them out with a more appealing design from the same door manufacturer.
• Energy Efficiency: Finally, we are often asked about losing energy efficiency with windows. While windows may seem counterintuitive in terms of energy efficiency, modern garage door designs often incorporate insulated glass panels that help regulate temperature and reduce energy loss. This can contribute to better insulation in the garage, especially if it’s connected to the house. We’re not limited to the single pane windows of yesteryear!

Staying Power of Classic Carriage Style Garage Door

Our final garage door trend of 2024 is the staying power of the classic carriage style garage door. Designed to resemble the swinging doors found on traditional carriage houses, these doors typically feature a distinctive look characterized by decorative hardware, such as hinges and handles, and often have window panels along the top section.

• Materials: Carriage style garage doors can be made from various materials, including wood, steel, and composite materials. Wood doors are popular for their natural beauty and warmth, while steel and composite doors offer durability and low maintenance. With steel and composite doors, composite rails resembling wood are often overlaid on top of the base material to give that true layered carriage style look. This construction is why you sometimes here these doors referred to as ‘overlay’ doors in the industry,
• Hardware: Decorative hardware, such as hinges, handles, and faux straps, is a hallmark of carriage style garage doors. These elements are typically made from materials like wrought iron or steel and are often installed for aesthetic purposes rather than functional use. Pro tip: if you’re up in the air on whether to install decorative handles and hinges you can purchase magnetic versions so you can get the look – or test the look – without drilling holes into your new door!
• Operation: While traditional carriage house doors swung open on hinges, modern carriage style garage doors are typically sectional overhead doors that operate on tracks.
• Customization: Carriage style garage doors offer a high level of customization, allowing homeowners to choose from various design options, materials, colors, and hardware styles to complement their home’s architecture and personal taste.

Carriage style garage doors remain popular for their timeless appeal and ability to add character and charm to homes. They are often favored for traditional and rustic architectural styles but can also complement a range of other design aesthetics, including farmhouse, cottage, and craftsman-style homes.

Modern and Contemporary Designs

Modern garage doors are characterized by clean lines, minimalist aesthetics, and the use of sleek materials. Key features include:

• Glass and Aluminum: Full-view doors with large glass panels framed by aluminum are popular for their modern, airy look.
• Flush Panels: Smooth, flat panels without raised or recessed designs offer a sleek, contemporary appearance.
• Mixed Materials: Combining materials like wood and metal to create a modern, yet warm look.

Customizable Options

Homeowners are increasingly seeking garage doors that reflect their personal style. Customizable features include:

• Color Choices: A wide range of colors beyond the traditional white or beige, including bold hues and custom matches.
• Windows and Inserts: Options to add windows or decorative inserts for a personalized touch.
• Unique Finishes: Faux finishes that mimic wood, stone, or other textures.

Smart Technology Integration

Smart garage doors integrate modern technology for enhanced convenience and security. Trends in this area include:

• Wi-Fi Enabled Openers: Allowing remote access and control via smartphone apps.
• Integration with Smart Home Systems: Compatibility with systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.
• Enhanced Security Features: Real-time alerts, automatic locking, and camera integrations.

Energy Efficiency and Insulation

As energy costs rise, homeowners are looking for garage doors that offer better insulation and energy efficiency:

• Insulated Doors: Multiple layers of insulation to maintain temperature and reduce noise.
• Energy-Efficient Materials: Doors made from materials that improve thermal performance.

Bold Colors and Unique Finishes

There’s a growing trend towards making a statement with garage doors using bold colors and unique finishes:

• Dark Colors: Shades like black, charcoal, and deep brown add sophistication and drama.
• Wood-Look Finishes: Steel or fiberglass doors finished to look like real wood, providing the aesthetic appeal of wood without the maintenance.

Glass and Steel Combinations

Combining glass and steel creates a striking, modern aesthetic that’s becoming increasingly popular:

• Frosted or Tinted Glass: Offers privacy while allowing natural light to enter.
• Stainless Steel Frames: Durable and sleek, complementing the modern glass panels.

Eco-Friendly Materials

Sustainability is a significant trend, with more homeowners opting for eco-friendly materials:

• Recycled Steel and Wood: Using recycled materials in the construction of garage doors.
• Sustainable Wood Options: Sourcing wood from sustainable forests.

Minimalist and Frameless Designs

Minimalist garage doors focus on simplicity and functionality with:

• Frameless Glass Doors: A seamless look with glass extending to the edges of the door.
• Hidden Hardware: Concealed tracks and mechanisms for a clean, unobtrusive appearance.

Vintage and Industrial Styles

Vintage and industrial styles are making a comeback, characterized by:

• Raw Materials: Exposed steel, distressed wood, and visible hardware.
• Barn Door Inspiration: Sliding barn door styles adapted for garage use.

These trends reflect a blend of traditional aesthetics with modern technology and materials, catering to diverse tastes and enhancing the overall curb appeal of homes. As garage doors become more integral to a home’s design, these trends are likely to continue evolving, offering even more options for customization and innovation.

About Garage Door Doctor

Contact Garage Door Doctor today to schedule a free new garage door consultation. We bring samples and great ideas!

Garage Door Doctor proudly serves residential and commercial customers in Charlotte, Belmont, Concord, Cornelius, Davidson, Fort Mill, Gastonia, Harrisburg, Huntersville, Indian Trail, Annapolis, Lake Norman, Marvin, Matthews, Mint Hill, Monroe, Mooresville, Mount Holly, Pineville, Rock Hill, Tena Cay, Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel, Weddington, North and South Carolina.

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