Complete a jaw dropping garage door renovation in just one weekend

Garage doors are often neglected or overlooked when it comes to maintenance and aesthetics. Not often used for its intended purpose, a garage could fall into the bracket of ‘out of sight, out of mind’, even though it’s one of the first things seen upon entering a home. That’s why, we’re pulling out the sander, stainer and paint brush to delve into how you can renovate your garage and why you should do so.  

Why should you renovate a garage door?

First thing’s first, why should you renovate your garage door? Aside from guaranteeing  neighbour envy, owning a garage door that makes heads turn has many benefits. 

So, we’ve listed out 7 ways in which renovating your garage can dramatically improve your home, apart from increasing ‘curb appeal’. 

• Increase your home’s market value
• Improve your home’s security and safety
• Make you garage more energy efficient 
• Improve the garage door’s functionality
• A new garage door equates to better maintenance
• Make sure it’s protected from the weather
• Helps optimise the space

Increase your home’s market value

An aesthetically pleasing garage door can create the illusion of a well-looked after and well maintained home. Although it's only facade level, it can have a positive impact on the value of your home. 

Improve your home’s security and safety 

Upgrading your garage door can have a positive effect on the security and safety of your home. Garage doors that are in need of TLC are much easier to break into than a new door. 

New garage doors, with advanced locking mechanisms that are connected to your security system, are worth the investment, even if it’s just for peace of mind. 

Modern doors with sensor detectors will not close if movement is sensed. Therefore, it is perfect if you have pets or small children, when the need to reduce the risk of the door closing unexpectedly is a requirement. 

Make you garage more energy efficient 

Modern garage doors can come with in-built insulation. Insulation will help heat the garage in winter and keep cool in the summer. This might not be important if you use the garage for its intended purpose, but will come in handy if the garage doubles up as storage, a man cave, a home gym, or a cinema room. 

Improve the garage door’s functionality

Old garage doors can be clunky, heavy and slower to operate. Not necessarily a big issue, but it could become tiresome over time. A new garage door can come with a wireless control to open and close the door. 

A new garage door equates to better maintenance

It’s a given, old garage doors require more maintenance. It’s a ‘not if, but when’ scenario. So, renovating your garage door will help reduce its overall maintenance. 

Make sure it’s protected from the weather

A garage door that’s been renovated or upgraded can help with garage protection from extreme weather conditions. Adding new sealant to its frame, applying a fresh coat of waterproof coat, or removing any rust, are just a couple of simple ways you can upgrade the door to be waterproof. 

To help optimise the space

If you’re one of those who use the garage as a space for everything, but a place to park  the car, then you might want to upgrade the  door so it reflects that space you have. Ensuring the door is water tight, windproof and has insulation will help make sure the garage is a space for more than just a car. 

How to renovate the garage door in one weekend

That being said, a new door is an extravagant endeavour. More often than not, your garage door might just need a new lick of paint or a light touch up.

Our interior designer, Kelly Collins, recently updated her garage door and she noted down here eight key tips for renovating a garage door in one weekend. 

@kellycollins_interiors Garage door renovation 1. Clean area (removing any oil residue) 2. Lightly sand the door and wood (this helps the paint stick to the surface) 3. Apply white spirit to the wood and allow to dry 4. Paint on the stain to the wood 5. Paint the door (this took 3 coats) 6. Pour yourself a massive glass of wine #HomeImprovement #HouseTransformation #HomeProjects #PropertyRenovation #interiorinspiration #workinprogress #interiordesign ♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) - Ellen Once Again

1. Clean area (removing any oil residue)

Start early. Clean the garage door thoroughly. Remove loose paint, dirt, cobwebs and any extra grime that might have built up over time; using a jet washer is a quick way to do this. If you don’t have a jet washer to hand, soapy water with a brush will suffice. 

2. Repair damages 

You might find that there are minor damages to the garage frame. If there is damage, try using patching material or filler to fix the damages. 

3. Lightly sand the door and wood (this helps the paint stick to the surface)

As soon as the door is dry, sand the door and wood frame, this will help remove any current paint and act as an adhesive for the new paint. 

4. Apply white spirit to the wood and allow to dry

By applying white spirit to the wood it will act as another adherence and create a better finish. You can also add suitable primer to the metal garage door to create a similar effect achieved with the wooden frame. 

5. Paint on the stain to the wood

Once the wood is dry paint a stain or colour to the wood. You might need to add multiple layers, so make sure the stain or paint has dried properly before adding more layers. 

6. Paint the door (this took 3 coats)

Just as you have done with the wood, apply the new paint to the door. In Kelly’s case this took three coats. Again, make sure you let the paint dry before applying additional coats. 

7. Add a seal 

This step is not necessary for all garage doors, but you might need to add a sealant or top coat to protect the door from extreme weather, as well as wear and tear. If the door is wooden, this step is particularly important. 

8. Pour yourself a massive glass of wine

The most important step. Pour yourself a massive glass of wine or pint of beer. The garage door reno is complete. Time to put your feet up and relax. 

A garage door renovation doesn’t need to be a big project. If you follow the steps above, it can be completed within a day. Not bad for a day’s work. It’s a few hours work for multiple years of protection. It will also look great – potentially increasing the value of your home whilst receiving envious glances from your neighbours.