5 DIY Garage Door Upgrades to Improve Curb Appeal

If like many homeowners you want to improve your home and are considering a number of garage door upgrades read on. In this article we offer the top five most effective improvements that will help to increase your property’s curb appeal.

Boost Curb Appeal Fast With These 5 DIY Garage Door Upgrades

If you want to make your home look better from the street fast, try working on the garage door. Some good steps are adding new hardware, putting on a fresh finish, adding lighting or windows, changing weatherstripping, and adding simple plants around the frame. You do not need to get a whole new door for this. Most Houston people can get all these jobs done in a weekend.

Your garage door takes up about one third of your home’s front look. It plays a big role in curb appeal and is one part that you can change by yourself with ease. In a city like Houston, the sun, hot weather, and rain can damage materials quicker than in dry places. A garage door often looks old before it stops working. The good part is that most things making a garage door feel old are easy to fix.

Here are five garage door upgrades that really help. I will also tell you what to look out for, so you do not make things worse.

Why Curb Appeal Matters More in a City Like Houston

Houston’s weather can be hard on the outside parts of a home, more than many people think. A garage door faces a lot of heat, sun, and rain here. These things make it fade, bend, or rust more quickly. In states where it is more dry, people do not see these problems much. A garage door that looks good for ten years in a cooler or less humid place may start looking old in Houston after only five years.

That is good news if you want to do a DIY project. Most of the wear here is just on the surface. A simple makeover can change the way it looks in a big way. You are not working with deep damage that built up over many years. You mostly need to freshen up a surface that got hit hard by the weather.

1. Upgrade Your Garage Door Hardware for an Instant Facelift

Changing out simple door hardware for some new hinges, handles, and clavos is an easy way to change the look of a garage door. This way does not cost much and does not take a lot of time. Most kits have the new hardware that can be put right on the door’s outside, so you do not have to mess with the way the garage door works.

Carriage House Hardware Kits That Mimic a Custom Look

• Faux hinges and handles you can bolt or screw on steel and composite doors.
• Kits that are black, oil-rubbed bronze, or matte, so these match what you have outside.
• Magnetic options work well for lighter details, but these can get loose faster in Houston’s heat.

What to Check Before You Buy Hardware

• Find out if your door is steel, wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. Not every kit fits the same way, so the right match matters.
• Make sure new hardware will not get in the way of the door’s rollers, tracks, or sensors.
• Do not drill into the door panel until you know what is behind it. Some panels are empty or have insulation, so they can be damaged easily.

If you are not sure if a hardware kit will fit your garage door because of the moving parts, it is a good idea to ask someone who does garage door maintenance. They can look at the door before you start to drill anything. This can help you avoid any problems.

2. Refresh the Paint or Finish to Match Your Home’s Exterior

A garage door that is faded, dull, or does not match the rest of your house can make people not see all the good things you have done on the outside. A fresh coat of paint is one of the most effective garage door upgrades and one of the most powerful and low-cost ways to make it look new. If you use the right paint for Houston’s weather, this fix will last for a long time.

Best Paint Types for Houston’s Heat and Humidity

• The paint is 100 percent acrylic. It works well for outside because it does not fade. The paint also moves with changes in hot or cold weather.
• You need to use a primer made for the door’s material. This is very important on steel doors that can get rust spots.
• A satin or low-shine finish is helpful. It can hide small marks and flaws better than shiny gloss paint.

Signs Your Garage Door Needs Repainting vs Replacing

• If you feel a chalky residue on your hand after you touch the door, it often means the old paint has worn out. This can be fixed by putting on a new coat of paint.
• You can often fix small spots of rust on the surface. Just sand them to get the rust off, treat the metal, and then paint.
• If you see the door is warped, has big patches of rust, or the panels are not even with each other, it is not just a paint problem. This can be a bigger problem with the structure. It’s good to have someone check it before you spend your time painting over it.

3. Add Modern Garage Door Lighting and Windows

Lighting and window inserts can really change the feel of your garage door. They look good during the day and at night. This amongst all the garage door upgrades will make your home look better in photos. This is helpful if you want to sell your home or just want it to stand out in your street.

Placement Tips for Safe, Balanced Lighting

• Put wall lights at eye level on each side of the door. Don’t put them right above the door. This way, the light spreads out and does not make a strong shadow.
• Choose warm white LED bulbs. These last longer in humidity than older bulbs and use less energy.
• Keep all wiring away from the door track. Use weatherproof, exterior lights because Houston gets a lot of rain.

Window Inserts That Don’t Compromise Door Insulation

• Insulated glass inserts are made for garage doors instead of normal glass. This helps you not lose energy efficiency.
• Use frosted or textured panes if you want some sunlight in the garage, but you do not want people to see inside.
• Put the glass toward the top panels only. This way, the lower panels stay strong.

If you see that the wires by your garage door opener look worn out, smell like something is burnt, or the opener now takes longer to start than before, stop. This is not the time to keep working on it yourself. It is best to call for Garage door repair in Houston, TX instead of trying to fix or change the wires on your own.

4. Replace Weatherstripping and Seals for a Cleaner Look and Better Efficiency

Old and cracked weatherstripping lets in bugs, dust, and water. A good door can look tired if the weatherstripping is not in good shape. This upgrade is easy to do. A lot of people miss it, but it makes a big difference.

How to Tell Your Seals Are Worn Out

• You can see daylight coming in around the sides of a closed door.
• The rubber at the bottom seal is stiff, cracked, or flat.
• There is a musty smell in the garage after heavy rain in Houston, which often means water is getting in past the seal.

Average Cost to Replace Weatherstripping

Putting in a new bottom seal and side weatherstripping by yourself will usually cost you about $20 to $60 for the materials. The price depends on how wide your door is and the kind of seal you need. If you hire someone for this job, the cost is also usually fair. This job can be a good idea to add on if there is already a technician at your place for another reason.

5. Landscape and Frame the Area Around the Garage Door

Even if you have a new garage door, it may still look not complete if the ground near it is empty or full of plants that are not nice. Adding some plants or stones around the entrance can help. This makes your garage door and your house look better from the street. It’s one of the fastest ways to help your home feel finished.

Low-Maintenance Plants That Thrive in Houston Climate

• Dwarf yaupon holly or boxwood can line the sides of the driveway. Both of these plants do well in the Houston heat.
• Ornamental grasses give your yard some feel and style. They do not need a lot of trimming, which is good if you want to save time.
• You can put potted plants near the entry if you rent your home or want a simple, flexible choice that you can move anytime.

Simple Hardscaping Ideas to Frame the Entrance

• A paver or gravel border can go at the bottom of the driveway.
• You can add uplighting near landscape beds to help people see the door at night.
• Pull back mulch and soil a few inches from the door track. This helps stop water from building up at the bottom.
• Give the driveway edge a clean line. This new edge frames the front door well and does not need much work later.

Ready to Make Your Garage Door the Best Part of Your Home?

These five garage door upgrades can change how your house looks from the street. Most people can do these upgrades themselves without help. But if you find a door that sticks, worn springs, or an old opener while you work, that is different. There are some jobs you should not do alone. Many in the area call Honest Overhead Door, LLC. This is a family-owned Garage Door Company in Houston, TX, that gives honest, same-day help. If you find something wrong that a little paint cannot fix, call them. It is best to get their help for garage door repairs that are too big or risky to handle alone.