One of the most prominent design elements of a home and the most commonly used entrance is the garage door. And it’s not up on the roof or somewhere out of sight. It’s at eye level where everyone immediately sees it. Multi-car garage doors account for nearly 35% of a home’s facade, so homeowners should really devote a little more time to selecting a door that will enhance their home’s appearance. 

Ten years ago the choice of garage doors was pretty much limited to brown, beige or white steel. Today there are so many materials, windows and design options available that a homeowner can easily make their garage door a stunning focal point.

So, what’s your style?

Old-Fashioned with all the Modern Conveniences

The style gets its name from the detached carriage house buildings that were used more than a century ago to store horse and buggies.  Reminiscent of another time and place, they are tastefully old-fashioned in their look and feel and yet conveniently modern with their automated operation and expanding range of low maintenance construction materials like steel and composite in addition to the traditional wood designs.

Carriage house doors continue to grow in popularity because of their design flexibility. Their look can easily be transformed from historic to a more contemporary or Craftsman style depending on the material, finish and hardware selections.

Contemporary Drama

Modern homes are about clean lines, innovative, functional design and natural light, and they demand something equally dramatic when it comes to the garage door. Until recently a flush panel door that resembled a wall or siding was the best option, but the residential market borrowed a line from the commercial building industry and today the glass and aluminum garage doors once reserved for gas stations and car dealerships are now adorning contemporary homes across the nation.

These doors make the garage look more like a room with a view and less like a utilitarian door, but don’t let the delicate looks fool you. They offer the same levels of security, durability and convenience. 

All-American Classic

Raised panel doors offer a classic look that is suitable for just about any style of home. The good news is you don’t have to settle for “cookie-cutter” looks anymore. Today’s raised panel designs offer a wide range of styles and finishes both with decorative windows and without that can truly enhance the curb appeal of your home. This type of door is offered in insulated or non-insulated steel and also wood for either a stained or painted finish.

Hurricane Earl is barreling toward the Eastern Seaboard Thursday with winds swirling at around 145 mph. Forecasters issued watches and warnings along the Atlantic coast for most of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and part of Massachusetts, alerting residents that hurricane and tropical storm conditions were possible within 36 to 48 hours.

Evacuations continued early Thursday on the North Carolina coast, with residents and visitors leaving a barrier island in Carteret County. Officials in Dare County, N.C., expanded evacuations Thursday, issuing a mandatory evacuation order for all visitors in the county, NBC News reported.

Many people are taking a wait-and-see approach, making simple preparations like stocking up on food or attaching hurricane shutters to their houses. But with the likelihood that the storm's ultimate path will become clear on Thursday, officials expect planning to shift into high gear.

Disaster prevention includes modifying your home to strengthen it against storms so that you can be as safe as possible. It also includes having the supplies on hand to weather the storm. The National Hurricane Preparedness web site provides more details on the at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml

According to the site, disaster prevention should include:

• DEVELOPING A FAMILY PLAN - Your family's plan should be based on your vulnerability to the Hurricane Hazards.
• CREATING A DISASTER SUPPLY KIT - There are certain items you need to have when you evacuate as well as making you as safe as possible in your home.
• SECURING YOUR HOME - There are specific steps you can do to make your home more secure and able to withstand stronger storms.

Special Considerations for Securing Garage Doors in a Storm

Because of their size, garage doors are more susceptible to wind damage than other exterior openings – especially two-car garage doors. Unless you have a tested, hurricane resistant door installed, high winds can force it out of the roller track.

According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association), the loss of a garage door during a hurricane can lead to an uncontrolled buildup of internal pressure resulting in a blowout of the roof and supporting walls.

If you have a Clopay WindCode garage door installed it does not require additional supports (i.e. posts) to secure the door. Reinforcement is contained within the structure of the door and is engaged by simply locking it, a timesaving convenience in the event of a sudden evacuation notice.

Plan Ahead to Avoid Garage Door Lock-In During a Power Outage

Most people do not even think about their garage door opener not working during a power outage. We just expect it to faithfully go up and down when we press the button. If the power goes out, you may need to disconnect the electric opener to manually open the garage door. Here’s how:

1. Disconnect the garage door opener when the garage is in the closed position, not when it’s open. Otherwise, if the springs aren’t balanced, the door could suddenly drop to the ground and cause injury.
2. If the springs are properly balanced, the door will open easily with the lift handles. If it is difficult to open, have a professional garage door service technician check the door as soon as possible to avoid further damage or safety risks.
3. Lock the door. When the automatic opener is disconnected the door is not securely shut until you manually slide the lock bar.
4. Reconnect the opener when the power comes back on. Make sure the door is unlocked when the opener is reconnected. Electrically opening the garage door with the lock bar in place can cause major damage.

For more information on Hurricane Earl and storm preparedness visit:

http://www.clopaydoor.com/wind-code-about.aspx

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36740125/vp/34328514#34328514?from=en-us_msnhp&gt1=43006

http://www.weather.com/

This could be the view you call home.

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If you haven’t had a chance to tour the Museum of Science and Industry’s Fourth Annual Smart Home: Green + Wired in Chicago, pick up the September/October issue of Midwest Living magazine and enjoy a guided tour from the comfort of your own couch.

Senior home editor Carol Scalla was thinking outside the box when she gave the home a fresh, new natural look for this year’s exhibit. One idea we love (of course) is her take on versatile outdoor living. A patio and trellis extending from the kitchen connect the detached garage to the house. A second modern see-through Clopay Avante Collection aluminum and glass garage door on the back end of the garage opens to enlarge the patio entertaining area.

Check out more images at http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/annual-idea/eco-friendly-idea-home-2010/?catref=cat290005&page=20

The Smart Home is open for tours runs through January 9, 2011. To learn more and purchase tickets visit www.msichicago.org. To see more unique installations of the Clopay Avante Collection visit www.clopaydoor.com/avante.aspx