Besides the front door, the garage door is probably the most-used door in a household. Whenever you’re parking your car, or going out, or are parking your kid’s bikes – you’re using the garage door. Some people even go as far as using the garage door to enter the house instead of the front door. You’re probably using your garage door far more often than you’d realize. And garages in general are an important part of almost every home. It’s more than just a storage for cars, bikes, or seasonal decorations.

When it comes to the exterior design of a house, it’s the garage door that probably stands out from all else. In fact, just a very small change on the garage door, such as picking the right shades of a color, can completely transform the whole look of a house.

So, whether you’re trying to refresh your house’s looks, or you’re placing it on the market, doing something about your garage door can definitely lift it up by a lot. When you think about it a bit more, think of the fact that the garage door takes up about 30% of a front home design. Sure, that depends on the size of the house, but a bigger house also likely has a bigger garage, right?

In this article, we’ll go through which color and shade you should pick for your garage door – and why.

Let’s dive in!

Navy Blue Garage Door For You

Represents: calmness, intelligence, quiet, relaxation, strength.

This color will make your garage door look sophisticated and inviting, or if you opt for a lighter shade, it’ll radiate calmness while also expressing a stylish statement. 

Each shade of navy blue works well with gray, siding, coastal themes, and works almost perfectly with black matte. It’s also helpful to realise how garage door size can impact the design you pick and the way it looks. 

Pros of this shade of blue are that it hides dirt way better than lighter ones would. Much better, in fact! Some cons are that dark colors retain heat more because of their poor reflective properties, but rather absorb it.

If you want your garage door to stay blue as long as possible, just use UV-protective sealant automotive wax twice a year and, of course, wash with mild soap. Or even ceramic coating. And yes, even though it’s classified as ‘automotive’, it’ll work great for your garage door. Wax is more affordable, but you’ll have to reapply it more frequently. Ceramic coating you can apply once and you’re good for a few years, but it’ll cost more. So it’s up to you.

To summarize, this color makes your garage door add character to your home.

Classic White Garage Doors

Represents: timelessness, modern & traditional, clean, fresh, opulence.

Many people say that white can be basic and boring, but that’s simply not the case. It’s a safe choice, but it’s also timeless because it goes with modern and traditional styles. 

It’s probably one of the most popular colors for a garage door. If your goal is to sell your home, picking a white garage door is the right choice. White gives that fresh look, plus it complements almost any other color, giving you flexibility and choice for the rest of the exterior.

A small drawback is that any dirt will be super visible, meaning more frequent washing. Environmental factors such as high temperatures, oxidation,and  excessive moisture can lead to yellowing – but that’s only if you’re using oil-based (alkyd) white paint. Also, if you’re smoking near the door, this also might affect it over time, but that’s usually only the case on the inside. 

Regular maintenance extends its lifespan and keeps it in brilliant condition. Just use soapy water on the door every month, and to get the most out of it, apply protective wax. For best results, use UV-protected paints.

Here are some very popular and great choices for the color white (shades and undertones), based on the Benjamin Moore selection:

• Chantilly Lace (clean white)
• Ivory White (crisp cream white, slight yellow undertone)
• White Dove (soft, warm white)
• Simply White (warm white, subtle yellow undertone)
• Decorator’s White (cool white, hint of gray)

Warm Wood Tones

Represents: nature, welcoming, warmth, home, classic, rustic.

This tone is getting really popular. This color on your garage door is a winner, especially with a rustic, farmhouse, and classic aesthetic. 

Wood garage doors in warm wood tones like mahogany or cedar add natural texture and that welcoming touch to exteriors, especially if exteriors are grey. Lighter wood tones bring that Scandinavian look, for example, oak darker tones bring some kind of warmth to the design.

Quality wooden doors can last for years, but wood provides natural insulation, which can introduce some financial problems. This material is both ecological and renewable. Wooden doors also require frequent maintenance, varnishing, sealing ,and coating to protect them from the weather. 

Wood colors come in so many patterns, plus the lacquer finish (color and type) will heavily influence the final looks. Think of the overall style of your house and pick a wood that complements your expectations and design.

Garage Doors With Matte Black Tone

Represents: mystery, modern, bold, refined.

Black is often considered mysterious. Nowadays, this color is often used on modern homes and adds contrast to every home. This color adds that sophistication and modern touch to almost every style, from traditional to architectural modern designs. If you like a matte finish, that is a great option for hiding minor scratches and imperfections better than glossy finishes on garage doors. 

As already mentioned, this color works well with almost every style, every pattern, every finish, but if you do end up picking pick black for your garage door, be vary of dirt – it can be seen quite easily on black surfaces; even more than on lighter colors, so it’ll require frequent washing. 

Black can also make some garage doors appear smaller than they actually are. But a great plus is that this color choice helps make them look new, as on the first day.

Be sure to apply a wax coat at least once every few months to protect it from fading or damage. Once you see the hydrophobic properties of paint protection wearing off, it’s time for a fresh new coat. If the house is in an area that often suffers harsh weather, then don’t skip on paint protection; this will go a long way in terms of durability and maintenance.

The biggest problem with black is that it absorbs light – A LOT – meaning it’ll retain heat instead of reflecting it. So if there’s little to no insulation, your garage interior will feel like a sauna during summer.

Also, regardless of your color choice, beyond aesthetics, functionality is as important. So if you find your garage door is outdated or damaged, a quick “garage door repair near me” search can help you find a contractor that’ll help you sort that issue. Ideally, cover that before any renovation/facelift.

Conclusion

Picking the color for your garage door will determine the overall impression of your home. So don’t pick it without thinking it through. In truth, this article could’ve been MUCH longer, but we’ve wanted to show you two things – which colors are a surefire choice, and why, plus we’ve wanted to show you what’s possible. Each color on the garage door expresses the house’s character and can add value to its perceived value.

Always consider the area where you live, the climate, and weather, plus check what your neighbours have done with their garage. Once you’ve narrowed down some options you like, pick the one that feels ‘right’ for you.

If you look at it and you’re thinking, “Yeah. That’s the one.”, then you’ve made the right choice.