Easy Garage Door Replacement That Instantly Boosted Our Curb Appeal
Garage door replacement might not sound exciting, but trust us, it made a huge difference in our homes’ curb appeal. We’re sharing what we picked, why we would choose Door Systems for this project, and a few things we learned along the way. If you’re even thinking about upgrading, you’ll want to see these before and afters!
Disclaimer: This post is brought to you by DOOR SYSTEMS. We received products from the brand to use and review. All opinions expressed in this post are our honest feedback based on our experiences. Thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog! Mention Simply2Moms to receive 10% off your garage doors.
Are you ready to give your home an upgrade that yields almost a 100% return on your investment?
While it’s common knowledge that updating kitchens and bathrooms has a high ROI (81% and 67% respectively), the number one home improvement project based on ROI is replacing your garage doors.
According to the Journal of Light Construction, new garage doors have a 98% ROI!
Shocked?
So were we! Until we saw how much better our homes looked with new garage doors, customized to work with our homes’ unique styles.
But it’s not just about curb appeal.
New garage doors offer lots of other benefits like security, energy efficiency, safety, and smoother operation.
Why We Replaced Our Garage Doors
Anne moved into her new build home in 2006, and AnnMarie moved across the street into her new build home in 2008.
We personalized some of the features when we built our homes, but we didn’t get to choose the garage doors.
Every home in our neighborhood has the standard 4-panel steel garage door with stamped raised panel design.
The hardware is a lift handle at the bottom and a manual lock, both made out of galvanized steel.
Most homes have plain, white doors like Anne’s (on the left).
When AnnMarie repainted the Hardie Plank siding on her home a few years ago, she chose to paint her garage doors Anew Gray by Sherwin-Williams to match her shutters and front door.
After 19 and 17 years of wear and tear, our garage doors were showing their age.
The buttons on the openers installed inside AnnMarie’s garage were broken.
Meanwhile, across the street, the company that installed new garage door openers about 10 years ago left behind a mess of unsightly wires that sometimes got pulled away from the sensors.
AnnMarie’s home gets direct sunlight on the garage doors from mid-morning to evening and the weather stripping was cracking from exposure.
Some of the panels on Anne’s garage doors were dented from her kids using the garage doors as a soccer ball rebounder.
Our builder-basic garage doors lacked insulation, so our garages were always cold in the winter and hot during the summer.
We both have bedrooms directly above our garages, and we could feel the temperature changes in those rooms because of the lack of insulation.
Pictures can’t adequately describe the screeching, rattling, and mechanical noise when our garage door lift systems opened and closed the doors!
Let’s just say that whoever was trying to sleep in the bedrooms above got a rude awakening anytime the garage doors operated.
How We Chose the Right Garage Door Style for Our Homes
If you’re planning to replace your garage doors, there are several things to consider.
First, if you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, be sure to review the community guidelines and standards. This will help the Architectural Review Committee approve your updates quickly.
Next, look at your home’s existing exterior style and features, including its foundation, siding, shutters, and trim.
We both chose the same style for our replacement garage doors (Cambridge panels from the Churchill collection). However, they end up looking very different because of the color, finish, and hardware.
We loved that Door Systems has an online visualization tool that lets you easily compare styles.
It was very easy to use: first, upload a photo of your home showing the garage doors head-on. Then choose different style options from the drop-down menus to see how they look on your home.
For instance, Anne considered choosing black garage doors to coordinate with the black shutters and front door on her home.
After seeing how that would look, she realized she didn’t like the way that looked for her house.
The online design tool shows you a side-by-side comparison of your current garage doors and the new style.
It’s so nice to visualize the end result before spending any money!
Garage Door Replacement: Before and After Transformation
AnnMarie chose a faux wood design with a Walnut finish for her garage doors.
The contrast works beautifully with the color of the stone on her foundation. It gives her house a whole new look!
The warm, wood-toned doors are no longer just functional; they’re a true design feature.
The 10-pane windows bring in natural light, and the hammered faux iron hardware adds a custom, old-world style that ties it all together.
Anne chose to stick with classic white garage doors in a carriage house style to complement her home’s traditional design.
They blend beautifully with the gray siding, red brick foundation, and crisp white trim, creating a polished, cohesive look.
The doors feel timeless and elevated, especially with the 10-pane windows and faux iron hardware that add just the right amount of charm and detail.
These upgrades bring character and curb appeal to both of our homes in a way that the old builder-basic doors never did.
We both chose the Cambridge-style of door panels from the Churchill collection of garage doors. We liked the bolder statement a 3-panel door makes.
Isn’t it amazing how different they look?
AnnMarie’s panels look like old-world paneling, while Anne’s white doors resemble a board-and-batten style.
We also both chose the traditional 5-over-2 window pane style for a clean look.
The faux iron hardware on both our doors is made from durable ABS weatherproof plastic and it’s magnetic!
AnnMarie chose the Maple Creek style, which looks like hammered iron. It has classic spade-style hinges and lever-look handles.
Anne chose the Nottingham style, which also has a hammered iron look. It has strap-style hinges and ring-style handles.
Smart Features and Upgrades That Made a Difference
WiFi Garage Door Opener
We knew the new garage doors would boost curb appeal. But we’re also loving some unexpected improvements that came with the upgrade.
One of the biggest surprises of this whole project? Just how much we love the new garage door opener.
We immediately noticed how smooth the motor felt once the new doors went in. It starts and stops so quietly, without the jolt or sudden jerk we always felt with our old openers.
We also added a keypad for easy entry. It’s such a useful feature.
Our kids and pet sitters can come and go without needing a remote or key. Now, we don’t have to worry about tracking down a spare opener or leaving the garage door unlocked for them.
It’s the kind of simple, smart convenience that just makes life easier.
Our husbands’ favorite feature?
The smart app.
You can check the status of the door, open or close it remotely, and even see a live camera feed of the garage.
It’s peace of mind we didn’t know we were missing!
Nylon Rollers with Sealed Ball Bearings
We didn’t expect to be impressed by something as simple as a roller.
If you’ve ever been jolted by the sound of a garage door rumbling open, you’ll understand why we’re amazed by this upgrade!
Door Systems uses nylon rollers with sealed ball bearings to operate the doors.
They glide open and closed so smoothly that you don’t even hear the doors operate from inside the house.
Better Insulation
The improved insulation on our new garage doors has made a noticeable difference.
Our old doors had an R-value of just 2.5, while the new ones are rated R-9. That means they do a much better job of keeping the heat out in summer and the warmth in during winter.
We both have bedrooms directly above our garages, and we’ve already noticed those rooms feel cooler this summer. Considering we’ve had days in the 90s, that’s saying something!
It’s a behind-the-scenes upgrade that’s not only good for energy efficiency, but also for our utility bills.
Thoughtfully Designed Details That Make a Big Difference
The design features on these garage doors are more than just decorative. They’re built with durability and flexibility in mind.
The hardware is made from the highest exterior-grade ABS plastic. It resists heat, UV rays, and harsh weather conditions. That means no flaking, fading, or rusting over time.
Each piece attaches with strong magnets, so there’s no need to drill holes. This makes installation quick and clean. You can also swap out styles anytime for a fresh new look.
The hardware has even been wind-tested up to 125 MPH.
The window pane inserts, also called grids or grilles, are just as smart.
They pop out easily for cleaning the glass.
You can also switch them out for different grid styles if you ever want a design refresh.
Garage Door Replacement: What to Expect on Installation Day
Not sure what to expect with a garage door replacement? We weren’t either.
To help you out, we documented each step of the day from start to finish. Scroll through the carousel below to see exactly what happens during a Door Systems garage door replacement.
It was quicker and smoother than we expected (about 2 hours per house).
Seeing the transformation in real time made it even more exciting!
Garage Door Replacement Cost: What to Expect
We know cost is one of the biggest questions when it comes to home upgrades like this. We’re sharing our numbers to help give you a realistic idea of what to expect for doors like ours.
AnnMarie’s three-car garage (one double door and one single door) included upgraded insulation, a faux wood finish, decorative magnetic hardware, glass windows, and two smart openers. Her total came to $10,400 installed.
Anne’s setup included two single doors with a white finish, carriage house styling, matching hardware and windows, and two smart openers. Her total was $6,400 installed.
In general, garage door replacement projects tend to range from $3,000 to over $10,000. This amount can vary depending on the size, style, finish, insulation, and whether you include smart features like WiFi-enabled openers and built-in cameras.
Both of our projects included removal of the old doors and motors, professional installation, upgraded R-9 insulation, and LiftMaster smart openers with keypads, WiFi, and security cameras.
If you’re budgeting for your own upgrade, we recommend getting a custom quote since there’s such a wide range of options. A lot of small choices can impact the total.
Final Thoughts on Our Garage Door Upgrade
Anne’s Perspective
These new doors make a huge difference to the overall appearance of my home!
Since we have a side-loading garage, the doors are one of the first things I see as I approach my house.
I love everything about the way they look, but my favorite feature is probably the windows. Not only do they add a pretty detail to the doors, but the inside of my garage is so much brighter!
I’m also a big fan of how quiet they are. Everyone who’s visited has commented on how they look and their quiet operation.
AnnMarie’s Perspective
I absolutely love my new garage doors! Aren’t they just stunning?
These faux wood doors add beautiful texture and warmth to my house.
The walnut finish is such a pretty contrast to the light-colored siding, yet coordinates well with the stone accent on the front of our home.
And look at those fantastic windows…like Anne said, they bring in so much light to the garage.
As much as I love the aesthetic of my new garage doors, my techy husband loves all the smart features! I’ll admit it is pretty cool to see who comes and goes through the garage.
But we both agree that we love the quality!
Why We’d Choose to Work With Door Systems
If we were starting this project on our own, we’d still choose Door Systems. They were quick to respond, incredibly easy to work with, and brought a level of professionalism that really stood out. The installers were efficient, respectful of our homes, and left everything cleaner than they found it. Add in their high-quality product line and service after installation, and it honestly felt like a seamless experience from start to finish.
Contact Door Systems today to get a free quote. Be sure to mention Simply2Moms when you purchase to get a 10% discount!
If you have any questions or suggestions, contact us or leave a comment below.
Don’t miss any of our tips, tricks, or stories! We’d love for you to follow us on social media. You can find us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Pin it to Remember it:
