One Stall vs. Two Stall Garage Doors

When you have a two-car garage, double versus single garage doors is likely a topic you’ve considered multiple times. If you’re ready to upgrade your garage door or doors, but you’re not sure which option to choose, consider the benefits and disadvantages of each.

A Single Door

One garage door for a two-car garage is often called a double-width garage door. Since these doors stretch from one end of your garage to the other, they can influence the look of your home’s exterior. If this option is appealing to you, it’s helpful to weigh the pros and cons of this type.

The Benefits of One Door

A double-width door can offer many benefits, including:

• More space: Without a supporting beam between two doors, you have more space for wider vehicles to enter your garage. Whether you drive an SUV or want to store your boat, the single door creates the space to do so. That missing center column can also make it easier to pull in and out of the space. You can also park a single vehicle in the center to create extra space on either side for working or strapping children into car seats.
• Lower cost: While a double-width door will cost more than a standard-width one, it likely won’t equal the cost of two single doors. Aside from the door itself, you only have to pay for one set of hardware and one opener. If budget is a priority, the double-width door may be the way to go for your two-car garage.
• More light: Two-car garages can be multi-functional spaces. If you use yours as an art room, a workshop or some other bonus space, you may want to bring natural light into the area. With a double-width garage door and a window design, you can bring natural light into the space to support your hobbies.
• Reduced maintenance: A single door requires less maintenance than two separate ones. You only have one garage door opener to think about and a single set of tracks and rollers that need lubrication over time.
• Greater design opportunities: Double-width doors have a large surface area that comes with more design opportunities. Whether you’re looking for textural elements from wood or modern features like windows, your door will showcase them. 

The Cons of One Door

It’s essential to be aware of any drawbacks you might encounter with a double-width door, such as:

• Malfunctions: Garage doors work hard, and they’re all susceptible to malfunctions after experiencing wear. A notable drawback with a single door is completely losing access to your garage if the door won’t open. It’s one thing to be unable to get your cars inside the garage, but it’s a whole new problem if you can’t get them out. You’ll need quick service from a professional if malfunctions occur.
• Heating efficiency: A single door on your garage means you have to open up the entire space every time you open your garage door. Repeatedly doing this can have an effect on your heating and cooling efficiency, and you may end up paying more on your monthly bills.
• Aesthetic quality: While double-width doors provide more space for showcasing your design choices, the size of the door can be a distraction to other elements of your home. If you’re looking to showcase another aspect of your home’s exterior, a double-width door might compete for attention. 

Two Doors

When you have a two-car garage, you have the option of using two single-width doors instead of one double-width door. This option comes with its own set of benefits and disadvantages. Knowing what to expect can help you determine which setup is right for your needs and priorities.

The Benefits of Two Doors

The benefits of double doors include:

• Durability: Double-width garage doors have fewer parts to service, but two garage doors theoretically have fewer open and close cycles. When you have a single door, you have to open and close it for both cars. With two doors, each door only has to open and close for one car. These reduced open-close cycles can slow down wear and lead to fewer repairs and maintenance demands. It may even increase the overall life span of your doors.
• Practicality: In the event that one door does malfunction, you still have use of the other one. This is more practical than a double-width door because it allows you to get one car in and out of the garage. Double doors also have greater practicality because your garage can be dual-purpose. Use one side for your workshop or studio and keep that side closed even as a car pulls in and out. 
• Heating efficiency: Having two doors means you only have to open half of your garage at any given time. This disrupts your heating and cooling systems less and may lead to lower monthly bills.
• Aesthetic quality: You might prefer the look of two doors over one big surface, especially if your garage is on the front of your home. If there are other design elements on your home’s exterior you want to highlight, two doors are less likely to draw attention away from these aspects.

The Cons of Two Doors

Much like a double-width door, two doors come with drawbacks, such as:

• Price: Generally, two doors will cost you more than a single double-width door. While you have to pay the individual cost of each door, you also have to purchase two sets of tracks and two garage door openers. If sticking to your budget is a top priority, one garage door versus two might be the better option.
• Maintenance: Two doors and two sets of hardware mean the maintenance process is more intensive. It’s in your best interest to get your doors checked each year. Be aware that two doors will have extra expenses for the maintenance process.
• Lack of flexibility: The two-door setup involves a center supporting column between the two doors. While this column allows you to open the two doors separately, it also leads to less flexibility with how you use your garage. For example, if you have a small car and a boat, you won’t have the ability to pull the boat in more toward the center of the garage. Each vehicle has 50% of the garage to park in. If you have unique vehicle storage needs, the two-door setup may not be the best arrangement. 

Find the Right Garage Door for You at RCS Garage Doors

RCS Garage Doors serves Charlotte residents with a range of garage doors to complement your home. Whether you choose two single doors or a double-width door, you can count on our team to handle installation efficiently and support your door throughout its life span. Get in touch with us today to find the right door or doors for your home.

What to Look for When Buying a Garage Door

You may need or want to buy a garage door because your current one has broken or you’re looking to give your home a facelift. Buying a new garage door is an important decision. Garage doors provide essential functionality and can be a crucial design statement for your home. Because of their necessity, you want to make sure you choose a new garage door that suits your wants and needs.

If you’re wondering what type of garage door is best for your house and what kind you should buy, you’ve come to the right place. When choosing a new door, there are a few things to be aware of to make the best decision for your home. Whether you’re considering your budget, design or home structure, some useful tips can help you learn what to look for when buying a garage door. Here are 10 things to know before buying a garage door.

10 Tips to Know Before Buying a Garage Door

By following these 10 tips, you’ll learn the essentials of what to keep in mind when shopping for a new garage door. This list can help the process become much easier.

1. Know What You’re Looking For

A great place to start when buying a garage door is to look at the door you currently have. Ask yourself what you like and dislike about it, what you wish it had, how you would improve it and other relevant questions. These questions can help you precisely pinpoint what things you’re interested in having in a new garage door. 

If your current door has some specific issues, keep those at the front of your mind. You don’t want to spend money on a new garage door only to deal with the same issues again. When you begin working with your garage door manufacturer, you can inform them of your concerns and work to avoid these in the future.

There are several other things to know before you start your garage door search:

• Budget: Having a budget will help keep your decisions in check. With an established budget, you’ll know what doors and other options you can afford. Home renovations and improvements can quickly become more expensive than planned, so creating and keeping a budget will benefit you long term.
• Door size: Having your door measurements before you begin choosing your new garage door will save you a lot of headaches. Keep your door’s measurements on hand to assist your garage door professional in helping you select and design your door. Knowing your door size can also help you stay within your budget.
• Design styles: There are many door styles to choose from. Some design styles include Classic™, Canyon Ridge^® with traditional carriage-house doors and raised panel. Raised panel doors can be combined with other styles. Choose a garage door that best suits your home’s architectural design and aesthetic. Keeping the same style throughout your home’s exterior will create a cohesive look.
• Door materials: There are just as many garage door materials to pick from as there are designs. You can choose fiberglass, vinyl, steel, aluminum, plastic, wood or composite wood. Each type has its pros and cons. Steel is usually the industry’s go-to door material. Wood was once the industry favorite but has become less desirable recently due to its lack of durability and need for regular maintenance. 
• Available features: Buying a garage door involves more than just considering the door itself. Account for features like springs, tracks, nylon rollers and keypads when purchasing a new door. 
• Available accessories: What accessories will look and work best for your new door? Keypads, windows and knobs are just a few accessories to choose from when selecting your door.

2. Be Prepared to Shop With the Right Information

Gathering ideas about what type of garage door you’re looking for is a great way to prepare yourself to shop. One way to organize your thoughts is to start a mood board with the color, style, finish and any features and accessories you want to purchase with your door. When you go into a store with an idea of what you want, you can save yourself precious time and money.

Before you leave home, make sure you know what size door you’re buying. Having this essential measurement will help make the garage door buying process much more effective. Additionally, not all options or features may be available for all door sizes, which is another reason why it’s crucial to have this measurement. You don’t want to fall in love with a specific garage door only to find out it isn’t available for your size garage.

If you plan to work with a specific garage door manufacturer, it will benefit you to look at their selection of door styles, features and accessories before visiting their store.

3. Understand Your Available Customization Options

The design options are nearly endless when buying a new garage door — several door styles and numerous features and accessories are available for your choosing. Understanding the different options available before you begin shopping will allow you to start the process with a clear vision of what you want for your home. 

A great place to start when exploring your options includes the garage door hardware. Garage doors can be loud when they open and close, and the noise can be particularly disruptive to others sleeping in your home, primarily if you use your door early in the morning or late at night. If you’re looking to have a quieter door, consider purchasing nylon rollers. Nylon rollers are ideal for quiet operation because they tend to make less noise than traditional metal rollers. 

4. Learn About Different Features

Features for your new garage door can include keypads, knobs and handles and windows. It’s usually within your best interest to choose features that complement your existing home exterior, like certain finishes or colors. Working with a well-versed designer can help you choose the best design choices for your new garage door. 

Your keypads can be the same color as your door, or you can get them in another complementary color. Like keypads, the doorknobs can coordinate with any metal already present in your home design to create cohesion. 

Windows are not always standard in garage doors. However, they can blend in with almost any design and add a unique design element to your door. The location of your garage door’s windows can vary from the entire length of the door to just the top part of it. Think about the level of privacy you want or need when deciding what size windows you’d like for your door.

5. Don’t Skimp on the Accessories

Quality over quantity is a common phrase, and buying a new garage door is no exception. If you’re on a tight budget, buying premium features may not be an option for you. However, if you have extra money to spend, investing in quality features can actually save you more money in the future. For example, handles and knobs consisting of durable, weatherproof materials will last longer and won’t need replacement as often. Some can last over a decade. 

Electronic systems like keypads and garage door openers offer another opportunity to invest a little more money. Purchasing a system with excellent reviews and more features can make your life with your new garage door easier.

If you decide to include windows on your door, strongly consider purchasing insulated windows. Insulated windows help protect the inside of your garage from fluctuating temperatures, which can also save you money on your electric bill and make your garage more energy efficient. Insulated windows may have a higher price tag, but they will safeguard items inside your garage from extreme cold or heat, which is well worth the money.

6. Buy a New Garage Door Opener

When searching for a new garage door, look at your current garage door opener. The door opener you are currently using may be just as outdated as your garage door. Your garage door opener won’t last forever, so buying a new one can save you in labor costs when you purchase your door. You may also be able to combine the garage door and door opener costs when making your purchase, saving yourself even more money. 

Garage door technology has improved with time, and some garage door openers now have smart technology that allows you to check your door’s status while away from your house. Remotely checking your door is an excellent feature if you’re going to be away from your home for some time and want to be sure it remains protected.

If you aren’t interested in buying a smart garage door opener, it can still be an excellent investment to purchase an entirely new opener. Having a new garage door opener can ensure that you have the best product available at the time to go with your brand new door!

7. Check and Upgrade Your Garage Insulation

Insulation is essential for garages because these spaces aren’t typically insulated like your home’s walls. As a result, they experience fluctuating temperatures throughout the seasons. These temperatures can damage anything you have stored in the garage, including your vehicle. By properly insulating this space, you can avoid unnecessary damage to your belongings and also save on utility bills. 

However, you may not have plans to re-insulate your garage. If you decide to buy a steel door, make sure you select the correct steel gauge to make up for not re-insulating the garage itself. To have adequate insulation, choose at least a 24-gauge steel door. The steel will be thinner if you choose a higher gauge, such as 25 or more. The lower the number, the thicker the door, and the better the insulation.

8. Choose the Correct Springs

There are two types of garage door springs: torsion and extension springs. Torsion springs are more difficult to install, as they go over the door’s opening. Because of how they work, they are better for heavier or wider doors — they distribute weight more effectively. However, they will also need more headroom. 

Extension springs offer a more straightforward installation. They come in pairs and extend across the ceiling, parallel to the door, and require less headroom than torsion springs. Regardless of what spring type you choose, always have a professional install the springs in your new garage door. They have the expertise and skill required to help you choose the right spring type and ensure it’s installed correctly.

9. Work With a Manufacturer

Working with a manufacturer can make the garage door buying process more manageable. They often have software that can show you a virtual design of your new door. If you’re unsure how some colors, finishes or features will look on your chosen door, the manufacturer can show you how each would appear by using this software. The software may also show you how a new garage door would look on your home. You can create this preview by uploading a photograph of your home and overlaying the new garage door design on it.

10. Ask for Clarity on the Quote Process If Necessary

While working with a manufacturer, you can ask them to create a quote or estimate for you. Your quote will range in price depending on the options you choose, including the door size, style, features and accessories. Your manufacturer or installer can adjust the quote before finalizing it. It’s important to speak with your garage door representative about any costs you don’t understand — make sure those costs are explained before the final installation is complete.

How to Choose the Right Garage Door for Your Needs

Conducting your own research and working with a manufacturer are the best ways to choose the right garage door for your needs. The garage door manufacturer can help you decide what door model will work best for your home, but only you know what specifics you’ll require. By conducting your own research, you can know ahead of time what you want and speak confidently to the manufacturer, who can then direct you to the right door to suit your home’s needs.

By keeping the above checklist in mind throughout the process, you can have an easier time deciding what kind of door you want and understanding how it will benefit your home the most.

Contact RCS Garage Doors Today

If you’re local to Charlotte, NC, and are looking for a new garage door, RCS Garage Doors is the best place to have your needs met. As a leading fixture in the Charlotte community for over 30 years, we have the knowledge necessary to guide you to find the perfect garage door for your home or business.

Our showroom provides numerous garage door options for you to explore, experts who can answer whatever questions you have about design or installation and resources to help you transform your current garage door setup from drab to fab. 

Contact us today to request an estimate for your new garage door, or visit our showroom in Charlotte to see how we can help you select a new door to fit your ideal style.

Buyer’s Guide to Choosing a Roll-Up Door for Your Business

When it comes to picking a garage door for your business, you may feel unsure of what you need among the many different options and features available. Despite this, roll-up doors remain a staple among businesses because they are usually quick to install and relatively easy to use. 

Installing a roll-up door is a smart investment for many commercial businesses. They provide protection from the elements, security and added temperature control. When deciding between the types of commercial roll-up doors, keep in mind the needs of your business and the environmental conditions. 

In this buyer’s guide, review the information you need to make an informed decision about purchasing a roll-up door for your business. 

What Is a Roll-Up Garage Door?

There are many different types of commercial garage doors. A roll-up garage door is also known as a rolling steel garage door. It can be made up of horizontal sheets of steel and is traditionally used for commercial spaces. The door covers the opening as a conventional garage door would when it’s closed. When raised, however, the metal sheets coil into one roll inside the top of the door opening. 

This feature allows for many benefits, including space savings. Sectional garage doors are stored inward in a large space allotted for them. This is unnecessary with rolling steel garage doors, allowing that space to be allocated for other purposes. Another advantage is a higher level of security. A roll-up garage door makes theft through the garage a thing of the past. The solid steel sheets make getting into your business’ garage a nearly impossible task for unwanted guests. 

Roll-up doors also provide greater protection from outside temperatures. If it is essential that your business keep a consistent temperature, a roll-up garage door makes this an easier feat. The door can keep outside air from heating or cooling your business to an inappropriate temperature, ensuring your business can continue to produce quality products. Customizations can be added to enhance this ability depending on the needs of your commercial space. 

Another reason business owners are investing in a rolling steel door is workplace safety. Sectional garage doors pose a significant safety risk for employees. The springs holding the door up can snap, and the door could come crashing down on what is positioned underneath it. Since roll-up garage doors coil into a tight tube when raised and do not use heavy spring equipment, there is no snapping, which eliminates that safety issue. 

What’s the Difference Between a Commercial and Residential Roll-Up Door?

There are a number of differences between roll-up doors for homes and roll-up doors for commercial spaces. If this is your first time purchasing a rolling garage door for your business, you may not be aware of the differences and how they can affect your purchasing decisions.

Key differences between commercial and residential roll-up doors include:

• Dimensions: Though residential doors can be modified for a different size, variations of size are typically limited. Commercial doors allow for more size customization. Roll-up garage door sizes can vary significantly depending on the intended use of the door. 
• Opening capacity: Because residential garage doors are typically used just a few times a day, they are not made to be as durable and the doors move up and down the track slowly to avoid damage. Commercial doors are designed for durability, and doors are able to open and close much faster — saving your company time.
• Value: With their advanced design, commercial roll-up doors are often a larger investment than residential doors. They are more pricey, but their capability to handle the toughest operations pays off immensely. 

Types Of Commercial and Residential Roll-Up Doors

Rolling steel garage doors are typically placed in the following three categories: 

• Light-duty roll-up garage doors: Light-duty roll-up garage doors are designed for spaces that require less-frequent use and less-demanding operations. Because of this, you can find this type of door used in buildings that store small specialty vehicles. Light-duty roll-up doors also are usually the least expensive of the three classifications.
• Medium-duty roll-up garage doors: Medium-duty roll-up garage doors provide a balance between heavy-duty and light-duty. They are optimal for standard commercial spaces such as warehouses. These doors are capable of more frequent operations without wear and tear, unlike their light-duty counterpart.
• Heavy-duty roll-up garage doors: Heavy-duty roll-up garage doors are designed for demanding high-cycle operations. These types of roll-up doors are most appropriate for industrial buildings or freight terminals. Because heavy-duty rolling doors were created for strenuous activity, they are designed with superior durability and strength. Though this option has the most upfront cost, it is among the most cost-effective options as it is least likely to need constant maintenance due to wear and tear.

There are two key points to consider when selecting a roll-up door for your business, including: 

• Use: Intended use will play a key role in the type of door needed. For example, light-duty doors are more appropriate for smaller buildings while heavy-duty doors are more appropriate for warehouse use. Industrial settings are more likely in need of medium-heavy duty doors, which would allow for more frequent use. In general, if the door is intended to be used frequently in your business operations, opt for a heavier-duty door. 
• Environment: If located in an area susceptible to heavy storms, such as Florida or the Carolinas, it will be useful to get wind-certified doors with weather resistance in order to reduce the maintenance and replacement costs associated with storm damage. It is necessary to ensure they are compliant with International Building Codes (IBC) and to communicate this compliance with your insurance company to avoid insurance claim issues if there happens to be damage.

How Do Commercial Roll-Up Doors Open?

An additional aspect to consider when determining what type of rolling garage door is compatible with your business is the door’s opening system. For commercial and industrial applications, roll-up doors are operated with automatic openers. The doors typically use one of two operator types — an electric door operator or a jackshaft operator.

An electric door operator works similarly to how the standard residential roll-up door would. A low-voltage motor is used for quiet and smooth operation. Because of new technological advancements and government regulations for commercial businesses, safety options for this method can stop the operation when an obstruction is sensed to avoid workplace safety threats.

A jackshaft operator is also known as a wall-mounted opener since it is mounted on each side of the garage opening. It is capable of opening and closing doors of all sizes, making it a suitable option for larger and heavier doors. This operator is also the better option if your garage space has limited overhead room. Jackshaft operators are quieter than other options and offer an additional level of security because they’re mounted to the garage wall.

Can You Insulate a Roll-Up Door?

You can insulate a roll-up door, and this practice has become increasingly popular in commercial industries given its many benefits. The barrier from insulated roll-up garage doors protects the inside of your building from the intense weather outside. It can be costly to keep the temperature in your building consistent with traditional garage doors. Insulation is a good option that can cut costs and energy for your business as it would require less work to keep steady coolness.

The insulation is typically made of polystyrene or polyurethane. Polystyrene is the least expensive of the two. This material is more common for residential spaces as it only provides the basic level of insulation. For commercial spaces, polyurethane is the more efficient option. Polyurethane is more expensive, but its higher density makes it a better insulator and its durability makes it more resistant to the heavy vibrations of day-to-day activity.

Questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not an insulated roll-up door is necessary for your business include:

• Are you located in an area with drastically varying temperatures?
• Is temperature stability essential to your business?
• Are your energy costs abnormally high and in need of reduction?

Roll-Up Garage Door Measurements and Sizing

Before picking out an actual roll-up door, it is important to understand which roll-up door dimensions are appropriate for your business. If your company utilizes trucks and other heavy equipment, you will need a size that will allow for safe loading and unloading. The standard size for a commercial roll-up garage door varies, and a good installer will be able to accommodate most door openings and building requirements. Many garage door providers allow you to customize. For exceptionally large spaces, double rolling steel doors are recommended.

What Sizes Do Roll-Up Doors Come In?

When deciding what roll-up door sizes are optimal for your business, first measure the rough opening of your space. The rough opening is the width and height of your finished opening area. Industrial roll-up door sizes have to conform to the space and the building code requirements. 

Account for clearances around the opening, which are the spaces on all sides of the garage. First, measure the side room space, which is the area left and right of the door, to ensure comfortable maneuvering. Next is to measure headroom. Headroom is the area between the top of the garage and the ceiling or nearest barrier. Of course, it is important for you to allow plenty of space for headroom to avoid impacts between the operating garage and obstructions.

How Much Headroom Do You Need for a Roll-Up Door?

Not having enough clearance can be detrimental to your door’s operations and can cause safety risks. There are required minimums for roll-up door headroom that are important to keep in mind when accounting for the different clearances. 

The minimum amount of side clearance required is 6 inches. It is recommended that you allow for more than 12 inches, especially if you’re unsure that your measurements are accurate. Fourteen inches is ideal, but technology has progressed in recent years, meaning garage door installers are able to work with and adapt to a variety of different conditions. 

How Much Do Roll-Up Doors Cost?

Roll-up garage door prices vary depending on the types of doors, customizations, and the garage door dealer. You don’t want to cut corners when purchasing a garage door, especially for a business. Buying a cheaper option because you’re worried about the price of an insulated roll-up door might mean you suffer in the long run. Be sure to invest in a quality roll-up door that has everything your business needs — otherwise, you’ll be spending more money in the long run. 

Since garage doors are an investment, financing options are often available. If you have an urgent need or require significant repairs that you can’t afford up-front, financing is a great option. 

Tips for Making Your Roll-Up Garage Door Purchase

Choosing a garage door for your business is a major decision. Here are some tips for selecting a roll-up garage door you’ll love:

• Safety is the top priority: When installing a garage door, it is best to leave it to trusted professionals and choose the safest door option for your business. Account for commercial garage door safety regulations and requirements.
• Determine your needs beforehand: If possible, go into the buying process knowing what type of roll-up garage your business needs and the features required to suit day-to-day operations. 
• Keep maintenance in mind: Choose materials and durability that can handle your business operations without excessive need for repair.
• Choose your garage door provider carefully: It’s necessary to choose a trusted garage door provider that is dedicated to providing quality service at the time of purchase and beyond. 

As a business owner, it is crucial to invest in equipment that aids the long-term success of your company and its operations. Roll-up garage doors can be used to enhance your day-to-day performance, improving productivity. To choose a roll-up garage door for your business is to choose security, efficiency and certainty. 

Contact RCS Garage Doors for Roll-Up Door Services Today

RCS Garage Doors of the Carolinas is your selection, style and service expert. Repairs and installation for a commercial roll-up garage door are an investment in your business, so it’s essential to work with a trustworthy and experienced company. RCS Garage Doors is your source for reliable roll-up garage door installation, repair and maintenance in the Charlotte area. 

To inquire about how RCS Garage Doors can help you in your search for a commercial roll-up door, contact us today and schedule a free project estimate! 

Buyer’s Guide to Custom Residential Garage Doors in Charlotte, NC

You’ve customized your phone, you’ve customized your car — you’ve even customized your lunch order today. Why not customize your garage door too? 

Since 63 percent of homes have a garage or carport in the United States, customizing your garage door is a great way to set your garage — and your home — apart from the rest. Customizing your garage door allows you to select the materials, colors and style that best fit your home’s architecture — and your budget. 

View Our Selection of Garage Doors

However, customizing isn’t just about making your garage door more personal. In some cases, garage door openings aren’t a standard size, so customizing your door is the only way to make sure it fits properly. Or, your home’s architecture may require a certain type of door to stay true to its design.

Whatever the reason, customizing your garage door is a great way to make sure you get exactly what you want. Before you select a door, check out our comprehensive guide to custom garage door options.

Designing Your Custom Garage Door

You’ll first need to consider why you want a customized garage door. Why not buy a more standard option? Do you require a non-standard size? Are you looking to increase your home’s curb appeal? Do you have a vision for your home in mind?

Knowing your motivation for customizing a garage door is an important first step because it helps you focus your search. It’s also helpful because, if you opt to purchase a custom garage door, it’s a good idea to work closely with a professional garage door sales and repair company like RCS Carolinas. Our experienced sales staff can guide you through the design and selection process to help you choose the right garage door for your needs.

If you’re in the market for a new garage door, we always recommend using Clopay’s Door Imagination System. This design tool lets you see how different custom garage door designs will look on your home. We love it because it takes the guesswork out of trying to select a door. As you’re going through this system, it also helps you understand how the different aspects of customization work and what matches your specific needs and wants.

Choosing a Garage Door Style

One of the first things to decide when you’re looking at custom garage door options is what style you want for your home. The style refers to the shape and design of the door. The style you choose is typically based on your home’s architecture — modern, traditional, historic, etc.

In general, you can choose from three custom garage door styles:

1. Contemporary

A contemporary door typically has a lot of glass windows and a wood or aluminum frame. These doors go nicely with a home that’s more modern in its design because they compliment it nicely. Contemporary doors also have some great applications in commercial locations, such as restaurants, hotels and auto repair shops. 

2. Traditional

A traditional-style door typically has a series of raised panels. It’s called traditional because, if you drive around your neighborhood, it’s the most common garage door design you’ll see. It can come with or without windows and can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, steel or aluminum. These doors are a good choice for homes with more traditional architecture., such as ranch-style homes or typical two-story colonial homes.

3. Carriage House

Carriage house garage doors are designed to look like old fashioned swing-out barn or carriage house doors, but provide the modern convenience of overhead garage doors. These increasingly popular doors provide a fresh look to homes of all kinds because they manage to look elegant and rustic all at once. They look great on colonial homes, ranch-style homes, Victorian homes and just about anything in between. Custom carriage garage doors are available in wood or steel, which also makes them an affordable way to improve your home’s curb appeal. 

Insulated garage doors are great because, when combined with other energy-saving measures, they save you money on your energy bills and help keep your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. They’re also important if you use your garage as a workspace, since you’ll want more moderate temperatures while you’re fixing vehicles or working on other home-improvement projects.

Insulation is placed inside your garage door, but what material goes around it is also important to your selection process. When it comes to custom garage door materials, you can choose from:

1. Wood

Custom wood garage doors continue to be popular because of their beauty. There is nothing like the natural look of a wood garage door to take your home to the next level. Wood is also durable. As long as wood garage doors are maintained properly, they can stand up to the elements in just about any climate. They can also take a beating if you have kids who like to play in the driveway and have a tendency to run their bikes into the door or throw a basketball at it. If you’re interested in a real wood garage door, remember that it will require annual maintenance to keep it looking good and to protect it from cracks or warping that can weaken the door over time.

2. Steel

Steel doors are a great option if you’re looking for a garage door that’s durable and affordable. If you’re torn between the durability of steel and the beauty of wood, there is a great compromise. By using a combination of steel layers and composite overlays, Clopay offers a steel door that looks like traditional wood. It’s strong, beautiful and less expensive than an all-wood door. Steel doors are also a great option if you’re looking for a door that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance once it’s installed. Other than periodic cleaning with a hose, steel doors don’t require regular maintenance or painting to stay beautiful.

3. Aluminum and Glass

Aluminum and glass doors are a great choice if you’re looking for a modern design. They’re also popular because they let so much natural light into your garage. This is a big bonus if your garage doubles as a workshop. Besides their appearance, these doors are durable and low maintenance. It won’t take a lot of work to keep them looking nice. And, if you’re worried about having all that glass at street-level, the glass can also be customized to ensure privacy from prying eyes.

Choosing the Right Color

Next, you’ll have to choose a stain or paint color for your new door. Customizing your garage door’s color allows it to blend nicely with the rest of your home’s exterior.

Many homeowners opt for a traditional white door. White is classy and blends in nicely with just about any home design. It can also be easier than trying to match paint colors, especially if your home’s front door and shutters are painted in a color that would be overpowering in large amounts.

If you don’t want a traditional white door, always consider the colors of your shutters and exterior doors. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re choosing a color or shade of stain, it should complement what you already have. For example, if you have a mahogany-stained front door, then consider opting for a similar stain for your garage door.

In some cases, you can select a color that pairs well with the color of your siding. But the best way to make your garage door pop is to choose one that compliments the little touches already in place.

Matching and selecting colors to compliment your home’s existing exterior details can be challenging. Let our team of experienced design professionals help. We can provide advice on the best shades and colors for your home.

When it comes to color selection, you’ll generally need to choose either a stain or paint:

1. Stain

If you’re choosing a wood garage door, then a nice stain is a great way to enhance the beauty of the wood fibers. Stains are available in a variety of light and dark shades, so you can choose one that will coordinate nicely with your home’s exterior. Certain composites and aluminum options can also be covered in a similar fashion, giving you the look of natural wood grain but the durability of another material. Although these are not technically a “stain,” they provide the look of the wood grain.

2. Paint

Paint can be used on any type of material you’ve chosen for your garage door. There are a lot of colors to choose from, so when you select a door, RCS Carolinas can help you match a paint color with your home’s existing trim, shutters and front door. We also use a high-quality latex paint that won’t need a lot of upkeep or maintenance to keep it looking fresh and new.

Window Options for Your Custom Door

Each style of garage door — traditional, contemporary or carriage house — can be purchased with or without windows. Some people like windows in their garage door because they let in natural light and add extra visual details to the design. Other people prefer to avoid windows because they don’t want people looking into their garage.

Windows are a beautiful way to customize and add special details to a garage door of any style. And, if you want the benefits of natural light without the risk of someone looking in your garage, you can customize the glass panels, so someone looking from the outside won’t be able to see what’s inside.

If you opt to have windows in your door, certain styles will also allow you to select where they’re placed. This includes placing them higher up on the door so that someone walking past wouldn’t be tall enough to look in.

Custom Hardware Selection

One final way to customize the appearance of your garage door is with hardware. Well-placed handles or decorative hinges can provide a stunning finishing touch. Although you can technically put hardware on any door, it’s important to make sure you’re selecting hardware that compliments the style of your door.

For example, if you opt for double handles, these are a great addition to a carriage house-style door because they are reminiscent of the swing-out doors that inspired today’s more modern design. If you opt for hinges or step plates, make sure they also fit the design of the door and, perhaps most importantly, make sure they match each other and are an appropriate length for the door they’re being placed on.

Do You Need a Custom Size Garage Door?

What are the sizes of garage doors? Typically, standard residential garage doors are available in the following widths: 8′, 9′, 10′, 12′, 14′, 15′, 15’6″, 16′ and 18′. If your door’s width does not fit one of these standard sizes, certain Clopay models can be customized in 2″ increments.

Variations on standard door heights — which typically range from 6′ to 8′ — are also available. Our experienced sales staff can help with measuring and identifying which doors can be customized to fit the available space.

If you aren’t sure whether you need custom-size garage doors, we can help obtain accurate measurements and guide you toward the best options for your home.

Contact RCS for Custom Garage Doors in Charlotte, NC

There’s nothing like a new garage door to increase your home’s curb appeal and value. In fact, a new garage door has a 97.5 percent return on investment. It’s a cost-effective way to improve your home’s curb appeal and increase your chances of selling at the price you want. But even if you aren’t moving anytime soon, a new garage door is a great way to spice up your home’s exterior.

If you’re looking for a custom residential garage door in Charlotte, N.C., let RCS Carolinas help. Our experienced sales team can walk you through each step of the process, from identifying the type of door you like to measuring what size door you’ll need.

Serving the Charlotte area for more than 30 years, we proudly sell a wide selection of Clopay garage doors — including Clopay custom garage doors — and Liftmaster garage door openers and accessories. Once you’ve selected the products you need, our experienced technicians are ready to provide custom garage door installation and maintenance over the lifespan of the door.

Stop by our showroom or contact us for a free estimate today.

Buyer’s Guide to Choosing a Faux Wood Garage Door

Table of Contents:

• What Is a Faux Wood Garage Door?
• Benefits of Faux Wood Over Real Wood
• Browse Faux Wood Garage Doors 
• Features of Faux Wood Garages
• Get a Faux Garage Door Today 

Are you considering replacing your garage door? If so, you might consider installing a faux wood garage door. Many people love the aesthetic of a wood garage door, as it can give a home a natural, warm, rich look. But real wood garage doors aren’t for everyone.

Real wood garage doors tend to be quite a bit more expensive than garage doors made from fiberglass or steel and usually require more maintenance. Fortunately, with a faux wood garage door, you can enjoy the look of a wood door without the expense or regular maintenance.

View Our Selection of Garage Doors

What Is a Faux Wood Garage Door?

Faux wood garage doors look like real wood but are actually made from different materials, such as fiberglass, composite or steel. What makes a garage door look like wood is wood grain stains. These wood grain stains give steel, composite or fiberglass garage doors the appearance of a rich, warm wood door without the maintenance requirements of real wood.

The material you choose for your garage door will depend on your lifestyle, budget and location, along with the weather conditions in your area and what look best complements the aesthetic of your home. For many homeowners, a realistic faux wood garage door could be the key to making your home stand out and increasing the appeal of your home to potential buyers when the time to sell comes.

What are the Benefits of Faux Wood Over Real Wood?

Faux wood garage doors and real wood garage doors look about the same. Many people can’t tell the difference between the two at a glance. There are some key differences between faux wood and real wood, though, such as cost, required maintenance, durability and the manufacturing process.

1. Cost

A real wood garage door tends to be more expensive than other materials, such as steel, fiberglass or aluminum. For a 16 x 7 double garage door, aluminum doors cost between $3,600 and $5,600, steel doors cost between $920 and $2,200 and wood doors cost between $3,800 and $7,600.

The species of wood also influences the cost of a real wood door. Wood options can include oak, cedar, mahogany, fir, tropical hardwood and redwood. Plywood garage doors tend to be the most inexpensive, but they are also the thinnest and most basic of the wood options. Redwood, on the other hand, tends to be one of the more expensive wood garage doors, as the doors are built with several layers to be more durable and reduce warping. Species such as hemlock and spruce are considered lower-grade woods, while species like mahogany and cedar are considered higher-grade woods and are priced accordingly.

A faux wood garage door is an excellent option for homeowners who want the aesthetic appeal of a real wood door without the hefty cost.

2. Increased Curb Appeal

Since garage doors are already one of the best home renovations for their cost-to-value ratio, a faux wood garage door replacement is a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.

The cost versus value of a garage door replacement is about $3,611 versus $3,520, or 97.5%. A faux wood finish can make an otherwise plain garage door stand out and add to the curb appeal of your home. Many homeowners appreciate the look of wood, so a faux wood door can provide a similar aesthetic. You can also add on faux hardware touches, such as door handles, hinges and latches that can make your door appear even more authentic.

3. Required Maintenance

Because the doors are made from steel or fiberglass, they also require less maintenance than a real wood door. To keep a real wood garage door in its best shape, regular maintenance needs to be performed due to damages caused by weather or other factors. Without regular maintenance, a real wood door can easily fade, warp and crack.

Regular upkeep for a real wood garage door includes an annual fresh coat of stain or paint and sanding. With a faux wood garage door, you won’t have to worry about the expense of regular maintenance. Since faux wood doors are made from fiberglass, steel or composite, they are easy to care for and won’t warp, crack, fade or rot like a real wood door. To care for your faux wood garage door, you can winterize your door in as little as 30 minutes in preparation for the cold season. Inspect your garage door’s springs, examine the weather stripping, lubricate metal parts and check out the automatic reversal system. For any maintenance you don’t feel comfortable handling on your own or simply don’t have the time to tackle, you can give us a call.

4. Durability

Faux wood doors can withstand humidity and extreme temperatures. The durability of faux wood makes it a viable garage door option in several types of climates and regions. Aluminum and steel doors also can’t be chewed through by vermin, unlike wood doors. So if you’ve seen a few pests scampering around your property from time to time, you won’t have to worry about them managing to get into your property through your garage door.

As with a real wood door, you’ll need to repaint your faux wood garage door every few years. Rain, storms, sun and temperatures can get through steel, which means your faux wood garage door will be more difficult to crack or damage, and moisture won’t be able to get inside, which would otherwise cause rotting. Steel doors do tend to be more susceptible to dents, so watch out for anything that could potentially dent your faux wood door.

The average garage door will last about 30 years. As long as you schedule the proper maintenance a door needs, you can keep your faux wood garage door for many years to come.

5. Weight

Real wood garage doors tend to be heavier than other types of garage doors. Because of their significant weight, a real wood garage door often requires additional or special openers and springs to function effectively. Faux wood garage doors are made from lighter materials, making them easier to install, replace and open manually.

For the most part, faux wood garage doors have all the benefits of a real wood garage door without the disadvantages. A high-quality fiberglass door with wood graining and textures can be nearly indistinguishable from a real wood door. Ultimately, your decision to purchase a genuine or imitation wood garage door depends on:

• Your home. What is the architectural style of your home? What garage door would best align with your home’s architecture and enhance the appeal of your home?
• Your location’s climate. Do you live in an area with extreme temperatures or a lot of humidity? This may mean that a faux wood garage door is the better choice for you.
• Your HOA’s rules. Know your HOA’s rules about what you can and can’t do with your garage door. Can you put on new decorative panels? You may have to fill out an application to request a change to your garage door, which could be rejected if your HOA doesn’t believe the door will align with the community’s architecture, color and style.
• Your budget: Faux wood garage doors are the more budget-friendly option, so you may want to stick with a faux wood door if the cost is a concern.
• Your preference for a high or low maintenance door: If you want a garage door that doesn’t require a lot of upkeep, you’ll want a faux wood door.

For many homeowners, a faux wood garage door is the right choice.

What Faux Wood Garage Doors Does RCS Offer?

If you’re ready to choose a faux wood door, you have many styles to choose from.

Contact Us for a New Faux Wood Door Today

1. Gallery Collection by Clopay

In our Gallery Collection by Clopay, you can select from several carriage house garage doors, with or without insulation. For these garage doors, we’ve paired a raised panel steel door with a grooved panel design for a vintage feel. For this highly customizable garage door, we also offer decorative windows, wrought iron hardware and Ultra-Grain, Clopay’s faux woodgrain paint finish.

With the Gallery Collection by Clopay, you can choose to install a faux wood carriage house garage door made of durable steel. For the construction of your Gallery Collection garage door, you can choose from:

• One, two or three layers
• Intellicore polyurethane insulation of 1-3/8″ or 2″, polystyrene insulation of 1-3/8″ or 2″ or vinyl-backed polystyrene insulation of 1-5/16″
• High wind load applications
• Removable window grilles for easy cleaning
• Replaceable bottom weather seal to protect against weather

In our construction, we also include a rust-prevention system by including a layered, tough coating to protect the steel skin. This rust-prevention system includes a hot-dipped galvanized layer, a metal oxide pretreatment, a baked-on primer and a topcoat.

If you’re looking for a highly-customizable carriage house steel door with a wood look, then the Gallery Collection by Clopay may be the right choice for you.

Browse the Gallery Collection by Cloplay

2. Coachman Collection by Clopay

In our Coachman Collection by Clopay, we offer insulated steel and composite carriage house doors with an authentic look. These garage doors are the perfect blend of practicality and beauty. While they are carriage house doors made of steel, they look like wood due to the woodgrain textured composite overlay –– an excellent way to combine the low-maintenance and durability of steel with the warm, rich appearance of wood.

With our Coachman Collection, you can find a garage door that combines the charm of a swing-out, old-fashioned carriage house door with the convenience of a modern-day overhead garage door.

For the construction of your Coachman Collection garage door, you can select from:

• Intellicore polyurethane insulation of 2″ or polystyrene insulation of 2″ or 1-3/8″
• High wind load applications
• Removable window grilles to make cleaning easy
• Replaceable vinyl weather seal to protect your garage against the elements

These carriage house doors are made with four layers, including layered coating to protect the steel skin. If you’re looking for a faux wood garage door that is easy to maintain and can stand up to the elements, you may want to select a door from this collection.

Check out our many design and color options to see if the style of the Coachman Collection appeals to you.

Browse the Coachman Collection by Cloplay

3. Canyon Ridge Collection Ultra-Grain Series by Clopay

The Canyon Ridge Collection Ultra-Grain Series by Clopay, features insulated garage doors made of faux wood and Ultra-Grain steel. For a steel garage door with an authentic-looking woodgrain finish, take a look at this collection. These low-maintenance steel doors are covered with a composite overlay that is molded from pieces of real wood to give your door a natural look.

For the construction of your Canyon Ridge Collection Ultra-Grain Series garage door, you can include:

• Intellicore polyurethane insulation of 2″
• High wind load applications
• High-performance rollers that ensure smooth, quiet and long-lasting operation
• A vinyl bottom weather seal that can protect your garage from weather
• Removable grilles
• A garage door safety feature known as Clopay’s Safe-T Bracket to prevent serious injury
• A rust-prevention system

These garage doors are constructed with four layers, including a clear Cypress faux wood composite overlay and Ultra-Grain paint finish.

You can achieve the look of real wood for your garage door with this Canyon Ridge Collection Ultra-Grain Series that features actual wood pieces and grain patterns that reflect the species of wood the door is emulating.

Browse our selection of residential garage doors for even more faux wood garage door options.

Browse the Canyon Ridge Collection by Cloplay

Faux Wood Steel Garage Doors Features

When you select one of our faux wood garage doors, you can also choose from several design features, including color, glass types, panel sizes and more.

• Short panels or long panels
• Short solid top section or long solid
• A variety of door and window designs
• Glass options, such as frosted, insulated, acrylic, rain, seeded, clear and obscure
• Decorative hardware options, including clavos, handles, hinges and plates
• Paint colors for the finish, including black, almond, chocolate, mocha brown, standard white, Ultra-Grain Oak Walnut Finish, Ultra-Grain Oak Medium Finish, Ultra-Grain Oak Dark Finish and Ultra-Gran Oak Slate Finish, Ultra-Grain Cypress Medium Finish, Ultra-Grain Cypress Slate Finish and Ultra-Grain Cypress Walnut Finish, sandtone and desert tan
• A mix of overlay and base colors for a unique look, such as a sandtone overlay on a white base, a desert tan overlay on a sandtone base or a desert tan overlay on an almond base
• Window grilles that are removable and easy to clean

With such a wide array of design features to choose from, you can create a faux wood garage door that is perfectly crafted to your home. Your garage door will be truly your own.

Contact RCS for Composite Wood Garage Doors in Charlotte, NC

Whether you are installing a new garage door or you need repairs on your existing door, RCS Garage Doors is here to help. With 20 years in the industry, we possess a level of experience and expertise that makes us the best garage door installation and repair company in the Charlotte, NC area.

We focus on what our customers want and need to provide you with high-quality work and an unbeatable experience. Whether your new garage door is for your home or business, we review all your options, discuss the strengths of each selection and ensure you love the results.

Homeowners will want a garage door that is attractive, secure and functions well. When weighing your options, you will want to consider your daily routine, your budget, the architectural style of your home and more. Whether you already have a clear vision of your perfect garage door or you need assistance selecting the best option for you, we can help you every step of the way.

Ready to purchase your composite wood garage door? Contact us or call (704) 523-8063 today to ask about our services or schedule an appointment.

Choosing a Carriage House Garage Door

Did you know there are more than 70 million single family garage doors in the United States today? That’s a lot of doors!

Garage doors are designed to last a long time. Many homeowners have never needed to purchase one, so when it becomes clear their old one won’t cut it anymore, it leaves them wondering where to begin.

View Our Selection of Garage Door Designs

When it comes time to select a new garage door, there’s a lot to consider — design, cost, finishes and more. There are many choices on the market today, but one of the most popular garage door styles is the carriage house garage door. Carriage house style garage doors are an easy way to add elegance and visual curb appeal to just about any home. They also come in a variety of styles, colors and materials, making them an excellent option for just about any budget. It’s no wonder they are so popular with homeowners.

At RCS Garage Doors, we think you can’t go wrong with carriage house designs. They feature unmatched functionality and beauty, and we’ve seen firsthand how they can transform a home’s exterior. Because of this, we are proud to offer a wide selection of Clopay carriage house garage doors.

While we think bigger is better when it comes to selection, we know it can easily become overwhelming to our customers. If you’re in the market for a new garage door, but you aren’t sure where to start, let us introduce you to a door we love.

What Is a Carriage-Style Garage Door?

The design of carriage garage doors pays homage to the carriage houses of old — the buildings used to house carriages, horses and, in many cases, the servants who drove them. When cars replaced horse-drawn carriages, there was no longer a need for these buildings. While most families don’t have a carriage house on their property today, the traditional architectural details of these unique buildings have made a comeback in home design, particularly in garage doors.

You can identify carriage house garage doors by looking for several unique features, primarily their barn-like design and their distinctive hardware. Barn design can mean a variety of things, but in general, you’ll find they have a natural wood finish or perhaps crossbuck panels that make the doors look like ones you’d find on a horse stable. They may have window designs or glass options that allow extra light into the garage. Carriage doors also tend to have decorative hardware, including handles — which may be exclusively decorative — in the middle of the door.

Swing-out doors are another distinctive feature of carriage houses from the past. What is the swing-out door? It’s a door that opens by pulling out rather than up, as today’s doors do. At the time people used these doors daily, the handles and hinges incorporated into the door had a purely functional purpose — the person responsible for maintaining the carriages would have to pull them out to access the space inside.

Today’s carriage house style garage doors maintain the look of these older doors — often including the hardware. However, they open upward with the help of a garage door opener, just as any other traditional garage door would.

What Options Does RCS Garage Doors Offer?

So what makes a carriage house door such an outstanding option for a garage door replacement?

Carriage house style doors are on-trend. They are beautiful, and they complement homes designed in many different architectural themes. Because of their popularity and versatility, these doors add instant curb appeal to just about any home. While we hope you’ll spend years in your home enjoying your beautiful garage door, we realize there may come a time when you need to sell your house. How your house looks from the outside plays a significant role in selling it. While a beautiful garage door isn’t the only factor people consider when they’re buying a home, it will go a long way in convincing a potential buyer to take a closer look.

Besides being a sought-after design feature, carriage style garage doors can also be a practical choice. Why? We mentioned it earlier — these doors look fancy, but they operate just like any other overhead garage door. When you purchase a carriage house garage door, you get one that’s enjoyable to look at, but still designed to hold up to daily use. If you are buying one of our steel options, you’ll also be signing up for a low-maintenance door, since steel garage doors don’t require regular painting and also hold up better to the elements.

RCS Garage Doors offers a wide variety of wood and steel carriage house garage doors for the Charlotte, N.C., area. If you’re interested in this style of door, we have several door design options for homeowners on a range of budgets.

Contact Us for a New Carriage House Garage Door

1. Gallery® Collection

The Gallery® Collection incorporates a traditional raised panel steel door with a grooved panel design for the perfect combination of functionality and beauty. When you purchase a door from this collection, it also comes with the option to add wrought-iron hardware and windows. Also available with insulation, these doors come in in a wide range of color options, including Ultra-Grain^®, Clopay’s distinctive faux wood finish.

2. Canyon Ridge® Collection — Limited-Edition Series and Ultra-Grain Series

If you’re in the market for garage doors that have a traditional wood look, combined with the durability of steel, Clopay’s Canyon Ridge® Collection is a great option. Constructed with an energy-efficient Intellicore® insulated steel base, these doors look like traditional wood carriage house doors because wood composite cladding overlays the steel base. The Canyon Ridge® Collection’s Ultra-Grain Series offers a more economical option for these doors by providing Stained Clear Cypress composite overlays to give this steel door a traditional wood look.

3. Grand Harbor® Collection

Boasting clean lines and a classic design, Grand Harbor® Collection steel doors are an excellent option for homeowners who appreciate the look of a carriage style garage door, but need a less expensive choice. Available with or without insulation, these versatile, low-maintenance doors will give you the look you want without breaking the bank.

4. Coachman® Collection

The gorgeous doors of the Coachman® Collection look like authentic wooden carriage doors, but their construction features layers of durable steel covered with a wood composite overlay. Available in a variety of designs — both with and without windows — these gorgeous doors provide all the functionality you need in a garage door you use every day, with the aesthetically pleasing carriage house style.

5. Reserve Collection® — Semi-Custom Series, Limited-Edition Series and Custom Series

We get it. There’s just no replacement for a traditional wood garage door. The Reserve Collection® Limited-Edition Series offers the historical character and charm of handcrafted wood garage doors, all with the modern convenience of overhead door technology. Our Clopay wood carriage style garage doors come in a variety of woods and stains, offering homeowners plenty of options for customizing their garage door to coordinate with the style of their home’s architectural design and exterior color scheme.

If you opt for a door from the Reserve Collection® Custom Series, we’ll work with you to design the wood garage door of your dreams. We can create a unique design with or without windows, and then you can choose from a selection of woods, including African Mahogany, White Oak, Red Oak, Ironwood, Spanish Cedar or Knotty Alder.

Love the idea of a custom wood garage door, but your budget won’t allow you to design it from scratch? The Reserve Collection® Semi-Custom Series might be exactly the answer you need. Once you choose from one of six design options, you can select the wood you want, as well as choose from finishes that include mahogany, natural oak or cedar.

Which Carriage-Style Garage Door Is Right for You?

Now that you’re familiar with all our options for carriage style garage doors, you’re probably wondering how you will ever narrow it down. Carriage style doors are all beautiful — you can’t go wrong with them — but not all of them are going to be a good fit for your home, your lifestyle or your budget. So how do you choose?

1. Wood vs. Steel Carriage House Garage Doors

The first thing to ask yourself is whether you’re in the market for a steel garage door or a wood one. What’s the difference?

Steel doors — available in insulated or non-insulated varieties — are low-maintenance. You won’t need to repaint them every couple of years, and they aren’t going to crack easily. They also hold up well to the elements, although they are susceptible to corrosion in humid coastal climates. Steel doors are also less expensive than their wood counterparts.

What’s the downside to a steel door? Well, they are susceptible to dents. That isn’t a problem for everyone, but if your kids or grandkids tend to ride bikes or play basketball in the driveway, your door may take a beating.

Steel doors have a reputation for their durability and, thanks to modern craftsmanship, they can even look like natural wood. However, sometimes there’s just no substitute for the classic wood garage door. Available in a variety of styles, as well as insulated or not insulated, wood doors are a classy, elegant way to make a statement with your home’s exterior.

However, wood garage doors require regular maintenance. They’re susceptible to warping and cracking, so you’ll need to paint or refinish them regularly. Upkeep can be a hassle, and it will also cost money to maintain the high-quality finish that attracted you to the door in the first place.

While cost is indeed a deciding factor in choosing a door, it’s important to keep in mind the average garage door lasts 30 years. And, if you’re like a lot of homeowners, your garage door acts as your front door — meaning you will be looking at it all the time. A door needs to do more than fit your budget — it should suit your tastes and lifestyle, too. Before you select a door based on cost, make sure you like its appearance and you’re willing to put in the work to keep it looking nice.

2. Design & Embellishments

Carriage-style garage doors complement a variety of architectural styles. However, when you’re trying to decide which door style is right for you, it’s important to consider the specific designs on the market today. Each of the Clopay series we offer has several design variations that allow you to pick the style that works for you — and your home. Short vs. long panels, various window options, arches, cross-pieces and more — all these details are essential to consider as you’re narrowing down your choices.

Carriage-style garage doors also typically come with the option to add decorative hardware. The carriage house doors of old boasted hinges and handles because the doors had to swing out. While most modern carriage house doors are designed as overhead doors and no longer require you to put the elbow grease into swinging them out, many of our customers prefer to retain the historic look of swing carriage garage doors in their Charlotte, N.C., homes.

3. Cost

As we mentioned earlier, your budget can play a significant role in choosing between a steel or wood garage door. But even after deciding between those two options, affordability will continue to dictate the style and details you will want for your garage door. Our goal is to make sure you don’t put a dent in your savings, but still walk away with a gorgeous carriage house garage door you’ll enjoy for years to come. To do this, it’s crucial to always keep your budget in the back of your mind as you’re selecting the right door for you.

Many times, our clients are surprised to realize they can get a beautiful door and stay within their financial means — all it takes is being upfront with our experienced staff about what you need. They can help match your vision and budget with the myriad of design options and add-ons offered in each collection, all designed to make sure you end up with a beautiful garage door.

Contact RCS Garage Doors

With more than 30 years serving the Charlotte, N.C., area, RCS Garage Doors has dedicated our business to offering high-quality Clopay garage doors for residential and commercial use. Our extensive showroom provides the perfect place for our clients to try before they buy — seeing the materials and the beautiful designs we offer. Our full-time, experienced sales staff is always on hand to answer questions and walk you through the process. Our goal is for our clients to walk away convinced they made the right decision — even before they get their new door installed.

Also providing garage door installation and maintenance, we offer the best brands on the market today and professional staff committed to getting it right every time. If you’re in the market for a new garage door, let us help you pick the one that will take your home from good to great. Contact us today.

Buyer’s Guide to Insulated Garage Doors

It’s easy to forget about your garage door. It’s an item that we use daily but think about rarely. Yet from a street-level view, your garage door can comprise a surprisingly large area of the front of your home. While it may be hard to think of your garage door as an important factor in keeping your home heating costs under control or ultimately improving your selling price if you decide one day to leave your home, your garage door can play important roles in both cases.

For many people whose home has a garage, it’s one of the main entrances into their home. Your garage may connect to the kitchen or perhaps to a hallway. Your family may open and close the garage door six to eight times a day, depending upon the weather and how often you need to get to work, take kids to school or a doctor’s appointment or go to music lessons or sports activities.

The point is that you use your garage door a lot. If you live in a part of the country where temperatures can get cold in the winter, opening and closing a door so often can result in heat loss. And if your garage door is only made of steel, fiberglass or even wood, the heat loss can go on all day. Many homes have a bedroom or some other room over the garage. You can count on this being one of the coldest rooms in your home.

Conversely, in places where summer days can get to sweltering temperatures, having a well-insulated garage door will help keep your house cool, especially that room above the garage. An insulated garage door helps prevent this room from turning into a sauna during the hottest summer days.

That’s why it makes sense to have an insulated garage door. Additionally, an insulated garage door offers many other benefits besides keeping your garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

The Ins and Outs of Garage Door Insulation

When it comes time to purchase a new garage door, one of the many questions you may come across is, “Do you want your garage door insulated?” If your garage is attached, think of it as an extension of your home. These garages often have insulated walls to keep in heat so your garage can serve as a buffer between the home and outdoors. However, having an insulated garage without an insulated door is equivalent to leaving the door open.

The heat or cold that can pass through your garage door is enough temperature to draw from your home’s heating or cooling efforts.

Why Should I Buy an Insulated Garage Door?

When you decide to install an insulated garage door on your home, you’re making a wise decision as a homeowner for many reasons:

• With an insulated garage door, you conserve energy — your home loses less heat, and the garage stays warmer. In some cases, the differences between outside temperature and the temperature inside the garage when you have an insulated garage door can be as much as 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Keeping a garage warmer or cooler makes getting in and out of the car or working in the garage more comfortable for you, the homeowner. If you’ve decided to use your garage as an extra room in your home or as a workshop, not as a place to park your car, then having an insulated door turns what could be a cold, sterile space into a warm, comforting one. The same is true for the summer. If you live in a climate that can get very hot in the summer, insulated doors can help prevent the heat from penetrating your home and increasing your air conditioning bill.
• Insulated garage doors are less likely to flex and come out of alignment.
• Insulated doors are stronger than non-insulated doors. The insulation strengthens the doors in a way that makes dents less likely.
• Insulation also doubles as a sound buffer which makes opening and closing your garage door a quieter task. It also reduces noise from the street entering your home.
• Insulated doors can also give you great curb appeal. You can buy insulated doors in a style and color that perfectly complements the exterior of your home. For instance, you can select many different styles of windows to include in your insulated garage doors, which can provide your garage with lots of lighting during the day. When you decide to sell your home, having an attractive insulated garage door will allow you to increase your asking price.
• The moving and operational parts of the garage door and garage door opener operate better when they are kept in moderate temperatures. Extreme heat and cold put additional stress on these parts, making them more likely to have problems.

When you’re looking for an insulated garage door, there are several important factors to take into consideration that will help you decide the level of insulation that you’ll want for your garage:

1. BTU

BTU stands for British thermal unit. One BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

2. R-Value

The ability of a material to mitigate the transmission of heat. The higher the R-value (0 to 19), the better the insulation performance.

Think of it this way – suppose you took a snowmaking machine and you blasted that snow at your garage door. If your garage door did not have any insulation, and you tested from the inside, there would be an excellent chance that it would be as cold inside as outside. If the door were insulated, however, it would be warmer, perhaps quite a bit warmer, than the outside door.

The same is true of heat. If you used an acetylene torch on an uninsulated door, it would be as hot to the touch on the inside as on the outside. But with insulation, it would be much easier to touch the door on the inside as it would be substantially cooler.

So when you choose a material for insulation that has a higher R-value, the better that insulation can stop the conduction of heat. Without insulation with a good R-value, the heat or cold will move from outside your garage to inside your garage and then throughout the rest of your house.

How much R-value do you need? That depends on where you live and how you are using your garage — to park cars, as a workshop, or as another room? Here is a quick guide to R-values:

• 0-4: Minimal to no insulation
• 5-8: Lightly insulated
• 9-13: Good insulation
• 14-19: Excellent insulation – good for those who heat their garages for garage work and want to ensure their garage doesn’t lose heat.

3. U-Value

U-value is another way to measure the conduction of heat. It is based on the amount of heat, in BTUs, transmitted through one square foot of material in one hour at a temperature difference of one degree Fahrenheit from one side to the other. The more heat transmitted through any kind of material, the higher the U-value. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation.

The one problem with U-values is that not every door manufacturer uses them. R-values are therefore the better choice when selecting a level of insulation for a garage door.

How Do Different Materials Used for Insulation Affect the R-Value?

Some materials provide better insulation than others. Materials such as polystyrene and polyurethane are the most commonly used types of insulation in garage doors. Though they are very similar materials, they work differently and provide different levels of protection.

• Polystyrene (Styrofoam) is inserted into the garage door in panels which means it cannot be an exact fit. Since it is not an exact fit, there is room for air to get into the garage. Polystyrene, the material used to make many coffee cups and peanut-shaped packing materials, is the kind of insulation that most major retailers use in their garage door insulation kits. If your garage door has two or three layers, you insert these rigid polystyrene panels between the layers. If you only have a single-layer garage door, the polystyrene includes a vinyl back that attaches it to the garage door.
• Polyurethane (spray foam), on the other hand, is sprayed into the door, which allows it to expand and bond to the surface. Injected polyurethane expands to fill every space inside the layer into which it is sprayed. This helps create a high level of sound insulation and greater climate control, and it also increases the strength of the door. The R-value is much higher with polyurethane than with polystyrene panels.

Tips for Buying a Garage Door

When you’re looking for a new garage door, either insulated or non-insulated here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Get an In-Person Quote If Possible

Not every garage door is the same. If you’re looking to replace an old one with a new insulated model, you can likely get a quote online. But it’s better to work with a knowledgeable representative from a local company. They’ll know the right details to check and can even help you with a possible design. Then they can give you a quote that will be much more accurate. A good sales representative will make sure you get the right garage door for your home.

2. It’s Better to Have Too Much Insulation Than Too Little

If you’re buying an insulated garage door is because you know it will save you money on your energy bill, it’s worth spending a little bit extra to use polyurethane on your doors. Sometimes you can double your R-value by using polyurethane rather than polystyrene.

3. Have an Expert Install Your New Garage Door

Professional installers have the tools and experience necessary to install your new door safely and quickly. A pro will have the job done in about four hours, and they’ll probably take the old door away as well, so you won’t have to worry about that either.

4. Take Time to Select the Right Windows

Selecting the right windows can make a garage door look fabulous. And, as we noted above, it will also bring a lot of light into your garage. Here are a few things to think about:

• Use insulated glass if your garage is heated.
• No homeowner wants someone to peek in through a window in your garage door. Install the windows in the top panels.
• Work with the sales rep to match the style of glass you use to the overall architectural design of your home.

Insulated Garage Doors We Offer

At RCS Carolinas, we offer a wide variety of insulated garage doors from Clopay, one of the best garage door companies in America. Here’s a look at some of what we have to offer:

Our Classic collection has two options if you’re interested in insulated doors — the Premium Series and the Value Plus Series. Both offer a range of R-values from 6.3 to 18.4. Whether you want a lot of insulation or just the right amount, we have the doors that will suit your purposes. You can choose from 14 different colors and a wide variety of window options.

Our Gallery collection features grooved panel steel carriage house doors. These doors can be purchased with or without insulation. Our insulated versions come with R-values from 6.3 to 18.4. A tough outer coating includes a hot-dipped galvanized layer, a baked-on primer and a final top coating to protect the door’s steel skin.

The Grand Harbor collection features carriage house doors made of steel and composite materials. They are great for new construction or if you’re looking for a low-maintenance replacement for your current garage door. Our insulated version offers an R-value of 6.3, the perfect choice if you live someplace where temperatures are more moderate. It still protects against a cold day or high temperatures. There are available in four colors, and you can use them with a wide variety of architectural styles.

These are only three of the options we offer. We have many others available to suit your budget and your sense of style.

Shop Insulated Garage Doors at RCS Carolinas

If you are looking for insulated garage doors with windows in Charlotte, N.C., look no further than RCS Carolinas. We have been in business for over 20 years helping people find the right garage door for their home or business. We offer doors manufactured by Clopay. Our staff of full-time design consultants and sales professionals will work with you to find the perfect door with a great design for your home.

You can visit our showroom at 8349 Arrowridge Blvd, Suite R in Charlotte, N.C., call us at (704) 523-8063 or request an estimate where you can leave us your contact details and submit your questions or comments. A member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Contemporary Garage Doors

Buyer’s Guide to Contemporary Garage Doors

Sometimes, our houses need a significant overhaul. In this case, it might be time to redo everything — the roof, the siding, the windows, the doors and more. In other cases, however, it’s much simpler than that. Maybe the majority of your house is in good shape, and you just need one small change to spruce things up and get your home looking fresh and exciting again. In situations like these, we think a simple garage door replacement is often the way to go.

Garage doors are often a prominent feature on the front of your house, and yet we somehow find them easy to forget about in conversations about home remodels. While it’s true they might not be as flashy as other hot-ticket items, they still have a lot to offer, both regarding function and aesthetic value. That is why they make such an excellent candidate for replacement if you’re looking for a change, but aren’t quite ready to redo your entire house.

However, like any major decision, choosing a new garage door is an intimidating chore. There are so many options, and it can be difficult to know which is the best choice for you. That’s why today, we want to walk you through some of the top options available so you can feel better equipped to make the right decision for your house.

What Are Modern and Contemporary Garage Door Styles?

When you set about updating your garage doors, you’ll no doubt want an updated and current look that will age well and won’t leave you looking impossibly dated in just a few short years. To do this, you might immediately assume you’ll want to look for a style that’s modern or contemporary, right? After all, aren’t those just two different terms for the same thing?

View Our Selection of Garage Door Styles

Not quite, actually. In reality, these are two separate terms that refer to different things. Because it’s important to understand the terminology you’ll be working with, let’s look at what each of these terms means.

1. Modern

We might easily assume this is just a generic, throwaway term that refers to a design from the modern day, but this isn’t true. “Modern” refers to a specific period and a particular style of architecture. Modern architecture — in our case, garage doors — is a style that gained popularity in the 1930s and flourished during the mid- to late-1900s. Frank Lloyd Wright, perhaps most famous for his home design called Fallingwater, was a huge pioneer and influencer of this style.

Just a few of the hallmarks that set this style apart include:

• Asymmetrical lines and composition
• Frequent reliance on geometric or cylindrical shapes
• Flat roof lines
• General preference for whites and creams
• Overall streamlined look characterized by the absence of ornament or moldings
• Glass and metal frameworks that frequently create large windows in wide horizontal bands
• Heavy use of reinforced concrete

While not every modern space will make use of all these different style choices, these are some of the frequent trends you’ll notice among many modern designs.

2. Contemporary

Contemporary, on the other hand, does not refer to a specific time. Rather, this term refers to whatever style of architecture is presently “in style.” In other words, contemporary architecture is always changing because the current trends and styles are always changing. One might easily define contemporary style as “whatever is currently popular.”

An important note to clarify is that, at least for now, modern styles are contemporary. That is to say, modern designs are currently fashionable, making them a contemporary style. In this way, there is currently a good bit of overlap between the two terms, even though this will not always be the case.

Choosing a Contemporary Garage Door Style

Of course, it’s not as simple as having only one style of contemporary garage door. While that might make things easier for you, it would also be far less interesting. Instead, many different types of modern garage door designs all exemplify different parts of the modern style. This way, everyone can pick a style and design that best fits their home and their personal aesthetic.

Let’s look at just a few of the major differences and the different style choices you’ll want to make going forward.

Modern Garage Door Materials

What are modern garage doors made out of? As it turns out, there are a few popular options you’ll want to decide between as you look at what door will be best for you. No one material is the best, as every material has benefits and drawbacks, and you should base your decision on the qualities and personal preferences that are most important to you.

1. Wood

Wood garage doors bring natural beauty and elegance that’s hard to resist. They feel traditional and classic, while somehow avoiding the feeling of being old-fashioned, making them a versatile choice that can fit well with older styles of homes and more contemporary designs alike.

Wood garage doors do take a little bit of extra work, as you will need to repaint or re-stain them every few years to maintain their appearance. Additionally, real wood might not be the best choice if you expect your garage door to withstand rough treatment regularly. For example, if your door will frequently encounter heavy amounts of snow, ice, wind, road salt and blunt force accidents, wood might not be the ideal material for your setting. Instead, you might want to opt for a slightly sturdier material.

If you’re willing to perform a little bit of maintenance, however, and if you expect your garage door to live a fairly calm and quiet life, a wood door is an excellent choice. It brings so much organic charm and character to your home you’ll be sure to enjoy for years to come.

View the Reserve Wood Collection – Modern Series

2. Steel

If your garage doors are going to need to withstand rougher treatment, we recommend the steel option. These doors are typically built to take a beating and can withstand much harsher treatment than an ordinary wooden door. They require less maintenance, as well. Because they’re so durable, they’ll only need an occasional cleaning or touchup job every so often, if that.

Worried steel will automatically lock you into a more industrial look, with little room for customization? Don’t be. Steel can come in many different looks. If you have your heart set on a more wood-based look but need the higher level of durability, steel can even come in a faux-wood appearance, among many others.

View the Canyon Ridge Collection – Modern Series

3. Aluminum

Another option is aluminum, which grants you a wide range of color and other customization options. They offer the benefit of peace of mind, as they require almost no maintenance. One of the significant drawbacks, however, is that they’re often less insulated. If you’re worried about extreme temperatures, that will certainly be something to keep in mind.

View the Avante Garage Door Collection

Contemporary Garage Door Designs

While it would be impossible to discuss every feature of every single contemporary garage door design you might encounter while shopping for your new doors, there are a few common threads you’ll begin to notice as you shop around. Let’s look at a few of the common trends in several different categories.

1. Colors

In years past, color options were much more limited. Many homes stuck to the basics and chose either white or almond. Now, however, color options vary much more widely. While more neutral tones of white, gray and wood stains are probably the most common, there are many more colors as well. Choose from a variety of different wood tones, blacks, grays, whites, creams and more as you select the garage doors that will work best with the rest of your home.

Keep in mind every style of door will have a select set of color options available, so if you fall in love with one specific color, not every door may offer it, and vice versa.

2. Features

Contemporary garage door designs have a lot to offer. While every design is different, they tend to be more durable, more convenient and more functional than designs of the past, all while maintaining an attractive aesthetic. Some of the excellent features you’ll likely experience with your contemporary doors include:

• Smooth opening mechanism
• Sleek, modern design
• Ease of maintenance, in varying degrees depending on the specific door you select
• Heavy-duty durability
• Effective insulation

3. Windows

Traditional garage doors often have a row of multiple small windows along the top. Many contemporary designs follow this pattern as well, although some doors break away from this tradition. Some modern designs feature windows positioned vertically down the side of the doors. Other doors feature large panels that act as windows, taking up a good percentage of the door. Some doors may not even have windows at all.

Staying Within Your Budget

Staying inside your budget can be tricky on any big purchase, and garage doors are no different. However, buying garage doors is nothing to stress out about. If you’ve never purchased garage doors before, you might be expecting to pay astronomically high prices. In reality, however, we think you’ll be surprised by just how affordable garage doors can be. They come in a wide range of prices, so no matter what size budget you’re working with, you’ll be able to find something that’s just right for you.

If you’re concerned about the cost, one of the ways to cut back on the price is by choosing a more affordable door style. Another option is to complete the installation yourself. We don’t recommend DIY installation unless you feel very comfortable with tools and have done previous installations before, however, as it’s all too easy for something to go wrong.

The price of your garage door will likely vary based on several different factors, including the door you buy, the amount of labor required, your location and more. A rough average of the price you can expect to pay, however, is just slightly under $1,100. For more specific estimates, contact your garage door providers and browse their individual products.

Most Popular Contemporary Garage Door Styles in Charlotte, NC

If you’re looking to upgrade to a more modern garage door design in Charlotte, NC, you’re not alone. Plenty of other North Carolina residents have been making the same choice, so you’re in good company. Let’s look at some of the contemporary garage doors that have been popping up around Charlotte, NC.

1. Modern Steel

This sleek design looks right at home in almost any modern homes. Mix things up from your typical garage door design with the windows along the top and the neatly spaced-out panels to enjoy the fresh twist this door offers. The surface of the door is smooth steel for a streamlined look, and the windows come in a variety of design options that let you choose the appearance you like best. A variety of colors and finishes also give you plenty of aesthetic options to help finish off this modern steel look.

View the Modern Steel Collection

2. Canyon Ridge Collection Modern Steel

Searching for the strength, durability and easy maintenance of steel, but the classic appeal of wood? Look no further than the Canyon Ridge Collection Modern Steel. These doors offer all the benefits of steel, combined under a faux-wood finish. Choose whether you want your windows down one side of the door, both sides, spaced out evenly along the door or nonexistent. You’ll also get to choose from a variety of different finishes and colors, letting you truly design a one-of-a-kind door for yourself.

3. Reserve Wood Collection Modern Series

If you think it’s impossible to beat real wood when it comes to sheer style, texture and class, let us point you in the direction of the Reserve Wood Collection Modern Series. These doors offer spectacular insulation, a gorgeous wood finish and many design options to choose from. Choose your window positioning, your wood finish, your accent strips and more, all while maintaining that sleek, modern look you’re looking for in your contemporary home.

Visit RCS Carolinas and Shop Contemporary Garage Doors Today

Looking for wood, steel or glass garage doors in Charlotte, NC? Stop by RCS Carolinas today and find the garage door you’ve been looking for. We offer a vast array of designs, from modern designs to more traditional styles. Whether you’re looking for a streamlined minimalist look or an elegant carriage house door, we think you’ll be able to find something you like.

Selling high-quality Clopay doors isn’t the only thing we do, either. We also offer garage door repairs and installation. So if you aren’t looking to replace your door quite yet and are just looking for some repairs, we can help you out there as well. And if you already purchased a door and are just looking for a bit of assistance with the installation, we’ll be right there with you.

Request an Estimate Today!

Browse our full selection of garage doors today, and remember to think of us as your one-stop shop for everything garage doors — from buying to installing and even maintenance throughout the years to come. Get a quote today to get started with your garage door buying experience.