If you're ready to check out options for a new garage door, be prepared for a multitude of choices. Garage doors are available in a wide variety of design options, panel styles, colors, window patterns, materials, safety features and more. So, before you shop, consider the following essential tips:

Get an 'In-Person' Quote
Ordering a garage door over the phone or online is tricky because every garage is a little different. A knowledgeable salesperson can check details like opening size and shape, headroom and side clearance, and even help you make design decisions. Have a representative come to your home and check out the situation before ordering a door. 

Determine a Garage Door Size
When it comes to buying a garage door, the first thing to consider is the size you need. For many homes, a single-car garage door is 8 to 9 feet wide and 7 to 8 feet high. Double-car garage doors are typically 16 feet wide, with a height of 7 to 8 feet. If your garage is built to accommodate a taller vehicle, such as a heavy-duty truck or recreational vehicle, your garage door could be 10 feet tall or more. Maybe you need a custom size. Have a professional take the measurements to find the right garage door for you.

What is Your Budget
Knowing how to buy a garage door that fits your lifestyle — and wallet — is crucial. Before you start shopping, set a budget. For homeowners with a tight or limited budget, you may need to start with a standard, no-frills garage door and opener. Generally, the most affordable garage door types are steel, wood, and aluminum. If you have a more flexible budget, consider wood composite, fiberglass, or vinyl. 

Beware of Wood Doors
Real wood doors look fantastic when they're new. But you will have to devote time and money to maintenance. Natural wood finishes last a few years before they need recoating. The good news is you can get the look of wood for a fraction of the cost and avoid the maintenance nightmare. One option is embossed steel with a faux wood-grain finish. From a distance, these doors look remarkably like real wood. Or, consider a garage door with a wood composite overlay or a fiberglass skin. Composites offer the look of real wood but with better longevity and stability.

Upgrade Your Insulation
If you're planning to invest in an insulated door because you want to save energy or keep your garage warm, it's worth spending a little extra for insulation. 

Invest in Sturdy Springs
Springs are what help your garage door go up easily and come down slowly. Most garage doors use torsion springs. Standard torsion springs last for about 10,000 cycles. That may sound like a lot, but if you open and close your door an average of six times a day, you'll reach 10,000 cycles in less than five years. Upgrading to heavy duty springs can provide 20,000 cycles of opening and closing peace of mind.

Buy a New Opener
When you get your new garage door installed, also install a new garage door opener. Your opener will fail eventually, so if it's showing its age or you just want a quieter opener or one with more features, this is the time to replace it. 

Consider Safety Features
Many garage doors come with safety features that protect pets and children. If your garage door opens manually, you could install a locking handle for extra security. This type of lock attaches to the inside of your garage door frame and must be locked before exiting the inside of the garage.

Also look for features like:

• Reverse sensors
• Manual control (in the event of power outages)
• Finger-free designs (to prevent little fingers from getting stuck or jammed in the railing). If you have kids, it’s worth doing research to make sure you’re getting what you need to keep your children safe.

Choose Windows Wisely
You might be surprised how much better a garage door looks with the right windows. And beyond adding style, windows can supply much needed light to the garage interior. Here are a few tips for choosing glass:

• If your garage is heated, upgrade to insulated glass.
• For extra privacy and security, install the glass in the top panel.
• Match the glass style to your house windows if possible.

Want a Quiet Door?
If you have an attached garage and want to minimize the racket caused by the garage door going up and down, choose a door with polyurethane insulation and nylon rollers. Garage door insulation dampens any vibrations that would normally be amplified by an uninsulated steel. And nylon rollers are simply quieter than metal ones. If you're also planning to replace the garage door opener, look for an opener with a belt drive. They're quieter than other types.

Think Twice About Installing Your Own Door
You could save a few hundred dollars by installing the door yourself, but it's one DIY project that doesn't have a big payoff. Here's why. For starters, there's a ton of parts and it'll take you at least a full day to put them together. Plus, winding the spring calls for special tools and lots of arm strength and is fairly dangerous. We recommend that you always hire a pro to install the door, the new door will be delivered and the old one hauled away, and the job will be done in about four hours. Plus, you'll have someone to a call if there's a problem.