Pros and Cons of Black Garage Doors

Is a black garage door a good idea? These makeovers will make you a believer in the modern, sophisticated look a black garage door can bring to your home.

Black garage doors complement a range of architectural styles, from traditional to modern, and can enhance the overall curb appeal of a home. Black pairs well with many exterior color schemes whether it’s light or dark siding, natural wood, or brick. It’s also easy to coordinate with other outdoor elements like windows, roofs, and front doors. Take a look at these transformations.

Paint Makes a Statement

Camila P. was looking for a project and found one in this two-story red brick house built in 1949. It took over a year of renovations to realize her vision but she and her family now call this rustic modern Mediterranean home.

Besides adding square footage to the house and redoing the entire second floor, she completely redesigned the front entrance, incorporated a rooftop deck above the garage, and installed a new garage door and landscaping. The new black and white color scheme is a showstopper and she made sure to choose details that lead your eye across the façade.

The Indiana climate is a mixed bag of hot and cold weather. She wanted to be sure she had a door that would hold up to the elements and complement her home’s old-world vibe. She chose the Reserve Extira wood composite in a Chevron pattern and added large windows to balance the house. Extira is a strong, moisture- and termite-resistant material that can be carved to create unique designs. The surface is completely smooth for a furniture quality paint finish.

Camila says her neighbors love the new look and actually knock on the front door to ask about her unique garage door design. See more of her home renovation at @myrusticmodernliving. Doors installed by Overhead Door of Indianapolis.

What a Pro Knows About Choosing a New Garage Door

Design pro John Colaneri is best known for starring in the HGTV series “Kitchen Cousins”, “Cousins on Call”, “Cousins Undercover”, and “America’s Most Desperate Kitchens”. He has also been a regular guest on “The Rachael Ray Show”, and now has his own design and construction management company.

John lives in North Jersey in what he describes as a Mid-Century Modern home with elements of reclaimed wood and industrial design. The house sits on one acre of land on a cul-de sac and John and his family have been updating the exterior. He replaced the siding with James Hardie, added Polycor granite around the garage, and most recently upgraded the garage door.

When it was time to tackle the project, he turned to former HGTV co-star and real-life cousin Anthony Carrino for advice. Anthony has used Clopay doors in two of his own renovation projects. He recommended the brand and local dealer Aquarius Door to manage the install.

The house has a front-facing garage door, which is a huge focal point and one of the first things you see when you drive up. John wanted to upgrade the traditional steel door with a contemporary design that looked like real wood. Clopay recommended the Canyon Ridge Elements, a faux wood composite door that is moisture and UV-resistant.

John originally wanted a real wood door, but after learning about all the benefits of the Canyon Ridge, he was sold on the fact that it looks like real wood but doesn’t require the surface maintenance. He used Clopay’s interactive garage door designer tool to see an accurate representation of what it would look like on his home.

Now that the door is installed, John loves the look. With the Canyon Ridge composite, he doesn’t have to worry about painting the door or having the paint fade from the sun. He says it looks like a wood door, and it’s almost impossible to tell that it isn’t one. The insulation is going to help keep the garage much warmer in the winter, which matters in the East coast climate. Follow John at @colanerijohn.

You Can Still Upgrade Even If It’s Not Broken

Just like her Instagram handle suggests, Audrey R. describes her home as a Modern Farmhouse in Ohio. (@modernfarmhouse_ohio). It’s new construction and she had only been there two years when she had the opportunity to upgrade her builder grade white doors with a design that truly complemented her exterior. She selected the Bridgeport™ Steel recessed panel carriage house design in Clopay’s Lustra™ matte black finish to complement the windows and metal roof.

She was curious – and pleasantly surprised -- to see impact of the upgrade since the garage doors were still in good shape. She loves the new vibe and the contrast that ties all of the exterior elements together.

Audrey is a visual person and said the garage door design tool was super helpful when choosing the new doors. She’s amazed by how much smoother and quieter they are when she opens and closes the garage and is excited about the return on investment this project will bring in the future. Installed by Deluxe Door Systems.

Creating A Room with a View

Mandee M. at @ourmodernhome has always felt like her house was unbalanced. The right side has fun angles with cool custom sized windows but the left side felt like a black box.

When she started shopping for a new garage door she thought a cedar door in a medium stained finish would look nice, but she didn’t want it to compete or clash with the other exterior features. She came across the Avante aluminum and glass door and had an ah-ha moment. The glass opening would maximize light and balance out the house with an open feel.

The Avante comes in several colors. She chose black to complement the dark siding. Mandee loves the light the door lets into the garage and feels like it was designed for the house. It’s definitely a showstopper.

Disadvantages to Consider When Choosing a Black Garage Door

If you love the look of a black garage door, it’s tempting to grab a brush and start painting for a quick, easy transformation. It’s time to slow your roll, especially if you have a steel door. Not all black paints are created equal.

One of the most significant downsides of black garage doors is their tendency to absorb heat. In warmer climates, this can lead to higher interior temperatures, making the garage uncomfortable. Clopay uses factory applied cool paint technology that deflects UV rays, keeps the garage door surface cooler, and helps reduce fading.

If you are going to DIY, be sure to ask the paint store for this type of paint.

Black doors also require more maintenance because the surface can show dirt and dust than lighter colors. Regular cleaning may be necessary. The good news is that it’s easy with a hose and some mild dish soap. While many modern black garage doors are designed to resist fading, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can still cause some fading over time. This is especially true for cheaper materials that don’t have protective coatings.

The popularity of black garage doors is on the rise. If you decide to capitalize on the trend to update your home’s curb appeal, do your research and choose wisely when buying one. Use our garage door visualizer to upload a photo of your home and find your garage door style.

Helpful Articles

How to Choose the Right Garage Door Color

How to Choose the Right Garage Door for Your Climate

Guide to Garage Door Finishes and Colors