Garages have utilitarian functions with their main purpose being to store cars while these vehicles are not in use. As such, doors are essential parts of these structures for the obvious reasons, including keeping out the natural elements and keeping the cars safe from thieves. The question then is: How do you choose the best door for your concrete garage?

Keep in mind that the best door for a garage has a positive effect in many ways. It adds value to the house's selling value; lessens energy bills by keeping out the natural elements like snow, rain and sun; and even reduces tax burdens in the case of an insulated door. So, be sure to make the right decision in choosing the garage door.

Your first concern when choosing doors for garages is obviously safety. The door must be sufficiently durable to withstand the normal forces applied to it such as in the case of thieves trying to break in. Be it wood or metal, the material must be thick and dense.

The garage door must also have locks. These locks can either be manual or electronic, both of which work well anyway, so much so that your final choice will largely depend on your budget. Most homeowners, nonetheless, like the convenience of electronic locks.

Many garages also have the so-called 4-point secure locking doors, which provide for double the protection in comparison with the standard doors. However, take note that doors over 10 feet wide are not compatible with these 4-point secure locking doors. The good news is that narrower doors are often made thicker than their wider counterparts – you just have to ensure that the locks are of good quality.

After safety comes style, which is another way of saying that form comes after function and this is true for doors as well. Your choices in styles are aplenty that it will take more than a few minutes of perusal before you can make a final decision. Your choices include, but are not limited to, wood and metal doors, classic or contemporary design doors and sectional doors.

So, how can you choose between all these doors for garages when everything seems good? We suggest the following steps:

• Look at your budget for the door. At the very least, you can narrow down your choices, although this does not necessarily mean that you will compromise on safety and style.

• Determine the desired style and the level of safety needed. You must decide whether you want the garage to blend in with the house or to be in contrast with the main structure; both are acceptable nowadays.

• Look at the warranty for the doors. Take note that you may be in need of good customer service, too.

In the end, the doors on garages should serve a utilitarian purpose first and then aesthetic purpose second. Keep it in mind and you will be able to choose the right garage door.