Why your garage door matters more than you think
When most people think about home upgrades, windows and entry doors (and hopefully Bavarian Windows!) are often at the top of the list. But there’s another feature that takes up a huge portion of your home’s exterior, and deserves just as much attention: your garage door.
Whether attached or detached, the garage door is one of the largest single design elements on the outside of a house. Choosing the right one can redefine the way your entire home looks from the street, not to mention the added value it can bring to protecting your car or improving insulation.
When we launched Bavarian Garage Doors a few years ago, it was a natural step for us to take on this other important exterior home feature.
Why garage doors matter for curb appeal
For many homes, the garage door is large, centrally located, and often the first thing that visitors see when they pull up to the house. This means that it naturally becomes a focal point.
A dated or mismatched garage door can drag down even the most carefully maintained property. On the other hand, a sleek, modern garage door has the power to tie together all the exterior details (like brickwork, siding, roofing, and windows) into one cohesive look.
Making the right choice will complement your home’s architecture and help make that strong first impression.
The difference a door can make
A garage door takes up a lot of visual space, which means the style you choose has a big impact on how your home looks from the street. These three recent projects show how the right choice can bring balance, contrast, or a more modern feel to very different types of homes.
When the garage door defines the curb appeal
Given the layout of this two-storey family home, the garage door makes a much stronger impression from the curb than the front door, which is hidden behind. This makes the garage door the real focal point of the exterior.
The new dark-panelled door was chosen to create a sharper, more modern look. Its vertical row of windows along the right side adds a distinctive detail, breaking up the surface and letting natural light into the garage. The darker garage door also contrasts nicely with the lighter tones of the brick and siding, making this home feel more modern and balanced.
Two doors, same look
On this brick home, the garage door sits right next to the front entry, with both clearly in view from the street. This made it even more important that they work together.
The dark-panelled garage door, with a slim row of windows across the top, was chosen to line up with the tone and style of the front door. This creates a coordinated look, instead of two separate features competing for attention. As a result, the front of the house feels more put together and intentional, and a garage that will have some nice natural filtering through those windows.
Making the most of a detached garage
Even small, standalone buildings deserve the same level of design consideration as the main house, and this detached garage, sitting a little bit back from the house, is the perfect example.
By choosing a dark, panelled garage door that matched perfectly with the siding and shingles, we were able to give this garage a unified and contemporary look. It’s the simplicity of the design that really stood out to us on this, especially considering that this garage could have been ignored as just another ramshackle shed out back. Not anymore!
What to consider when choosing a garage door
Every home is different, and there’s no single garage door style that works for everyone. But there are a few things worth keeping in mind when exploring your options.
Colour and contrast
Dark finishes are trending for their ability to modernise older homes and create strong a visual anchor for the front of the house. But lighter or wood-look finishes can work beautifully in the right setting, especially when they match other exterior details like shutters or trim.
It is often a matter of personal preference, though our team is always happy to help make some recommendations.
Window placement
Windows add dimension to a garage door and let natural light into the interior. A slim strip along the top will often feel sleek and minimal, while vertical or asymmetrical designs are a great way to make a bold, contemporary look.
Many customers who have never had windows in their garage doors are shocked by how much bigger and brighter the space feels when its filled with natural light.
Material and performance
Today’s garage doors are built with performance in mind. Steel, fibreglass, and insulated composite models offer durability, security, and energy efficiency, all while maintaining a stylish exterior finish.
Beyond materials, you should think about aspects like hardware, finishes, and maintenance. Do you want a wood-look finish without the upkeep? Are you looking for better insulation to cut energy costs? Or is your top priority a durable door that can stand up to kids, hockey pucks, and Canadian weather?
The material you choose should match how you actually use your garage, and how much time you want to spend maintaining it.
Architectural alignment
The garage door should enhance, not compete with, your home’s design. A minimalist panel may be perfect for a modern build, while carriage-style details could suit a heritage or cottage-style home better.
Think about what your home already says. If it leans contemporary, choose a door that keeps the look sleek and consistent. If it leans traditional, pick a style that blends in. The last thing you want your new garage door to do is draw attention for the wrong reasons!
Transforming your home with Bavarian and Garex
At Bavarian, we’ve always believed that the right windows and doors can change the way you experience your home. Now that we also do garage doors, we’re bringing that same philosophy to one of the most visible, and often overlooked, parts of the house.
To do that, we work with Garex, a Canadian garage door manufacturer known for building durable, high-performance garage doors designed for our climate. Their products are a reliable choice for homeowners who want quality that lasts. Because Garex doors are made here in Canada, they’re built to handle the temperature swings and weather that come with our winters and since they offer finishes that can be colour matched with windows, entry doors, and trim, it’s easier for us to help homeowners create a consistent, well-finished look.
Whether you’re looking to modernise a detached garage, refresh a family home, or give a classic façade a bold new anchor, we’ll help you choose a garage door that combines performance with design.
Your home’s story starts the moment someone pulls into the driveway. Let’s make sure the garage door tells it well.