From How to Buy to How It’s Made – Charles and Hudson Home Improvement Expert is Your Guide to Garage Doors 101

One comment Clopay dealers frequently hear from homeowners who are replacing their garage door is, "I didn't realize there were so many garage door designs and materials to choose from now."

It's true. Innovations in manufacturing technology have taken garage doors to higher levels of energy efficiency, durability and design over the last decade, giving homeowners more options when it comes to choosing a door that is not only functional, but fashionable, too.

If you've decided to take the plunge and replace your aging/ugly garage door, there are plenty of new models that will catch your eye as Charles and Hudson home improvement blogger and website editor Timothy Dahl discovered when he teamed up with Clopay to help educate homeowners about the latest trends and tips to know when it comes to upgrading the largest moving part on your home.

In case you missed his series, here's a quick recap with links. It's a must-read if you're in the market for a new garage door this spring.

Door to Door: The Biggest Bang for Your Buck is a Garage Door Upgrade

Clopay Avante Collection aluminum and glass garage door.

Typically garage doors don't rank high on the beauty scale, but according to a Remodeling magazine 2011-2012 Cost vs. Value report, maybe we should take garage doors more seriously.

Garage door replacement can net, on average, nationwide, a 71.9% cost return at resale and is one of the top 5 home exterior improvements that give you the most bang for your buck.

What's New in Garage Door Designs and Materials

There are a lot of garage door design and material options available to fit any type of home and budget. These before and after images demonstrate the instant impact this inexpensive upgrade can have on a home's curb appeal.

Clopay Reserve Collection Semi-Custom wood doors, Design 3, REC13 windows with Spade Strap Hinges and Ring Door Knockers.

Clopay Coachman Collection, Design 11, ARCH4 windows, in almond with white overlays.

Clopay Coachman Collection, Design 12, REC 14 windows, painted to match exterior color scheme.

Imagine a New Garage Door

When it comes to the process of actually shopping for a new garage door there are free online design tools that can make it much easier to visualize what a new garage door will look like on your home.

Use Clopay's Door Imagination System to upload a photo of your home and try on various garage door styles until you find the perfect fit.

Clopay Garage Doors Factory Tour

Go behind the scenes at Clopay's 1 million sq. ft. garage door manufacturing facility in Troy, Ohio to see how a garage door is made right here in the USA.

A steel garage door begins as a roll of steel that's simply unwound like thread from a spool.

A combination of machinery and skilled craftsmanship transform coiled steel into a beautiful architectural focal point. Door shown: Clopay Gallery Collection steel garage doors, short panel in Medium Oak Ultra-Grain paint finish.