Your garage door is the first thing that people see upon driving down your lane. It reflects the image of your whole house, which is why you need to keep it in top shape. If you just want to freshen up its look – but not replace it entirely – paint is often your best friend. Here is your guide on how to choose the perfect paint for a garage door.
Types Of Garage Doors
Garage doors come in different types, so you will need to choose the paint accordingly.
Bare Wood Doors
Bare wood garage doors are very common in classic homes but are also more likely to fall victim to the elements. For this reason, proper garage door maintenance is necessary for the door to withstand the weather. In this case, you will need a wood primer to smooth down the surface and then exterior wood paint that can withstand chipping, harsh weather, and sunlight.
Bare Metal Doors
Bare metal garage doors are also very common due to their durability and capability of withstanding impact. That being said, it will require a special metal primer, along with metal paint that was infused with a rust inhibitor. This will protect the garage door from extra humidity and prevent rust from corroding the exposed area.
PVC Doors
Most new garage doors are made from PVC (often referred to as PVCu doors). However, while the technology is still relatively new compared to other door types, it’s widespread enough to find the appropriate paint. This type of garage door will not need any primer since the original surface does not have paint on it, but you will require multi-surface paint. This way, you will be sure the paint does not slide or form lumps.
Choosing The Garage Door Color
You can choose the garage door color you want. However, if you want it to look good and in place, there are certain considerations you should keep in mind.
Home Colors
For a home to look properly balanced, it should not have more than 3 colors from the color wheel. You may go for monochromatic, analogous, or complementary color schemes. A good and common strategy would be to paint your garage door in the same color that your roof and other doors are.
Effect Desired
Every color sends a different message and has a different effect. For instance, black is mysterious and elegant, whereas blue is calming and peaceful. You need to choose whether you want a sophisticated, bold, relaxed, or neutral color.
Home And Neighborhood Architectural Styles
You don’t want your home to become an eyesore in the neighborhood, nor do you want the garage door to look bad next to your neighbor’s house. Consider the neighborhood architecture as well, as it will help you preserve home value if you ever plan to sell it.
For example, if you have a modern house in a newer neighborhood, don’t be afraid of using bold paint on a modern garage door. On the other hand, if you have a brick home, you should steer clear of extremely contrasting colors.
The Bottom Line
Choosing your garage color is highly important, not only for your peace of mind and aesthetic appeal but also for your image in the neighborhood. To make sure it remains in tip-top shape, you may want to re-coat it every five years or so.
