Garage doors come in many different styles and varieties, from the simple up and over door to the side hinged, high end door. The style of door is the first thing you will choose, based on the budget you have and the way you want to use and operate your garage door. If you are looking to buy a new door, style is the first decision you will find yourself making.

Once the style is decided, you will need decide the appearance of the door and the things you would like to do in order to customise the door and make it look the way you want it to. If you want something more simple that blends in with other doors, then you can opt for a single colour, simplistic design. If you want something more modern and design led that will set your home apart, then there are plenty of options open to you as well. By understanding what kinds of up and over doors there are available on the market, you are opening up different possibilities for your garage and the way you want it to look.

Deciding on your garage door will begin when you think about the appearance and where your preferences lie. The first thing you should decide is the material:

• GRP. A GRP up and over door can take on many different appearances, including the appearance of real timber. It can be a cheaper option than real, solid wood, but will still give you the premium kind of look that you want to achieve. You can also select GRP in a solid colour.
• Timber. Different kinds of timber lend themselves well to garage door construction, like cedar and oak. The grain of the wood will give the door a distinctive appearance, and most of the appeal comes from the wood being genuine, beautiful timber. If you are happy to spend more on real wood, you will be pleased with the aesthetic benefits.
• Steel. This is a modern material, but it can look either modern or traditional depending on the way it is used. For a more modern look, there are minimalist designs in block colours, or with some metallic design incorporated into the door. For a more traditional appearance, steel can be made to look more like wood, where it may look like slats or boards. Popular colours include whites and greys.

The main thing you need to know before searching for doors is whether you want them to look modern or traditional. New build homes often make use of a clean, modern appearance, and more traditional homes might make use of more classic materials like timber and timer-look finishes. Go with your gut instinct and choose a garage door that you love. It is a major investment and you want to make the right decision aesthetically for your home. To get some inspiration, look at other properties around you, and also make the most of looking on the internet and using all the resources available to you.