This is worth it right? (Garage door)

[simpsongal]

I got a couple estimates for garage doors and picked a great contractor -- family man, tons of positive Angie's List reviews and good prices.

He quoted me about $1400 for a new double garage door w/windows, insulated (w/labor).  For $1875, we can get a prettier door, with nicer styling (think beadboard in the recessed panels and cast iron details).  Whichever door we pick, we're springing another $350 for a new opener too.

This door will be there for a long time.  It's a side loading garage, so not a focal point of the house, but it's still prominent from the side view.

You would definitely upgrade right?

[mrs.jacinthe]

I think $500 for an upgrade that you love and are planning on having around for a long time is reasonable.

[Deleted]

Do it. My garage doors are fairly basic (tricked out garage doors weren't really the rage 10 years ago) but we upgraded to one with a bit more prettier and better quality materials so it has a sturdier classier look to it.
It's been worth every penny just because I love it.

[simpsongal]

Hmmmm, my CW didn't really see the difference. Well, she thought the basic one was nice. Here are the different lines:

www.amarr.com/residential/collection/oak_summit (upgrade)

www.amarr.com/residential/collection/stratford (basic)

The window options appear to be the same. The door will be white.

[ssmjlm]

We got a basic door, but I say if you want to upgrade go for it. I also think it depends on house style.

Also, not sure if you care, but for the tax credit we would have to go with $$$ windows in the door, so we opted for none.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Can I see a PIP of the side of the house where the garage is?

Do the carriage-style doors fit your home?

[lys]

I am all about a quality insulated garage door with a good opener.  I am not so much about getting "fancy" - especially with a side loaded garage unless this would make a difference in your neighborhood for house value at resale.

[FoxInFiji]

Mar 21, 2013 12:28:36 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

We got a basic door, but I say if you want to upgrade go for it. I also think it depends on house style.

Also, not sure if you care, but for the tax credit we would have to go with $$$ windows in the door, so we opted for none.

That tax credit expired already.  But there were windowed garage doors that met the requirements.  Our new garage doors with double paned windows were energy efficient enough to apply.

I say go for it.  That is a big appearance difference for $500. 

[ssmjlm]

Mar 21, 2013 12:35:26 GMT -5 FoxInFiji said:

Mar 21, 2013 12:28:36 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

We got a basic door, but I say if you want to upgrade go for it. I also think it depends on house style.

Also, not sure if you care, but for the tax credit we would have to go with $$$ windows in the door, so we opted for none.

That tax credit expired already.  But there were windowed garage doors that met the requirements.  Our new garage doors with double paned windows were energy efficient enough to apply.

I say go for it.  That is a big appearance difference for $500. 

Our state still has one for certain upgrades, we got one for energy appliances last year. 

[Deleted]

I think so, definitely. Love #1!

[FoxInFiji]

Mar 21, 2013 12:38:09 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Our state still has one for certain upgrades, we got one for energy appliances last year. 

Oh OK.  We don't get any state incentives unfortunately. 

[HeyGrrrl]

It sounds really nice, from your description. If you love it and can realistically afford it, go for the upgrade!

[kitty]

Does the cast iron stuff "go" with the rest of the house? We got the Amarr Classica doors and love them but we upgraded partly to improve the R-value. It looks like the R-values are the same for both of your choices.

[simpsongal]

Dang, I don't have a picture of the house from that angle. It's a colonial on a 1/2 acre corner lot and angled a bit. The garage gets some attention but we have tall bushes lining the driveway (these sort of obscure the view of the door). I'll go through options with DH tonight. Either way it will be an upgrade

I think cast iron would go - we just put new black (faux cast iron) fixtures around the house. Not sure about cottage style/farm style though, not exactly right for the house.   I'm leaning towards the upgrade because $500 isn't too much in the grand scheme of things (forever house).  Plus, I'm slightly regretting not springing for a cooler granite on our island.

I'll be sure to PIP after we make the selection

[midwest07]

Am I the only one who doesn't like the ideas of windows on a garage door? I would be afraid people would walk up to them to look and see if you were home. I like the look, but don't know if I would choose it.

Anyway, I think the upgrade definitely looks like an upgrade, so if you can swing the $500 with no problem, then you will probably be happier in the long run.

[TBM]

I would get the best quality that I could afford, but other than that, I mostly think that garage doors should be stealth, and not a focal point.

I have seen gorgeous carriage style doors that looked great on the house because they looked like they belonged, but I really dislike garage doors having more prominence than the front door, like the houses in our neighborhood.

[simpsongal]

How do we feel about the faux hardware? (cast iron handles and hinges) My CW gave it the side eye. I like the look. I argued that shutters are purely decorative these days and we see those everywhere.