Spring Facelift: Can You Paint a Garage Door?

Updated January 2025

Spring Facelift: Can You Paint a Garage Door?

Your garage door can have a big effect on your home’s appearance, and a door that’s old or worn can wind up making your entire property look dingy and unattractive. 

Fortunately, just like the rest of your home, sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to revive your doors and help your home shine. The key is to make sure you prep your door properly and select the right paint for the job.

Can You Paint a Garage Door?

Most garage doors can be painted, but before you get started, you need to consider the door material. For wood, fiberglass and metal doors, the job is fairly simple. You’ll need to thoroughly clean the door and remove any grease, dirt or chipped paint before starting. Then you’ll need to select a paint that’s made specifically for the door material.

Paints are formulated to adhere to certain materials, and if you choose the wrong paint, the time and effort you put into refurbishing your garage door could be wasted. In some instances, you might wind up with a door that flakes or peels or a finish that just won’t “stick” to the surface. 

For instance, vinyl doors usually require a special type of paint that’s designed just for plastics. If you decide to take a shortcut and use a paint made for wood or fiberglass, the final coat may wind up cracking or peeling once it’s exposed to sun or rain. If you’re not sure what kind of paint to use, ask your hardware store for recommendations.

Prepping the door

Before you can apply that first brush stroke, you need to make sure the door surface is completely clean. Use a soft brush to remove paint flakes or hardened dirt and grime, then apply a degreasing agent to get rid of oily residue that could prevent paint from sticking. 

Go over the surface lightly with sandpaper to gently “rough up” the surface so paint adheres better. A thorough rinse with plain water will help ensure the surface is ready for its new coat of paint. 

Let the surface dry thoroughly before using masking tape to cover areas you don’t want painted, like the hinges, hardware or mechanical parts. Then lay a drop cloth down under the door to catch drips.

Priming and painting a garage door

Once the door is cleaned and prepped, it’s time to apply a coat of primer. Primer helps paint adhere better and it also helps paint cover more consistently. Apply the primer using a brush for tight areas and a roller for larger, flat surfaces. Make sure the entire surface is primed, then let the door dry for at least 12 hours.

Next, apply paint using clean brushes and rollers, and take your time to ensure the paint is applied evenly. Most doors benefit from at least two coats. Just be sure to allow the paint to dry thoroughly between each coat and follow the paint manufacturer’s guidelines regarding the recommended number of coats. Once the final coat is on, remove the tape and allow the door to dry completely before using your door.

Painting a Garage Door: Don’t Overlook the Details

Painting a garage door is a relatively simple job that can be tackled by most competent DIYers. But if painting’s not your thing, no worries. Hiring a painting contractor can help you get the results you’re looking for without even lifting a finger.

We’ve discussed the benefits of painting, but what are some other methods you could utilize to improve your garage style? We’ll take a closer look at four of them.

4 Ways to Improve Your Garage Style

Garage style makes a difference – especially when you’re planning for a big event or trying to sell your house. The way your garage looks affects your home’s curb appeal and the value of your property.

There are many things you can do to improve your garage’s style. By replacing your garage door, power washing your driveway, landscaping around your garage and painting your garage, you can make your garage that much more beautiful.

1. Select a New Garage Door

Selecting a new garage door can completely change your home’s appearance. When selecting a new door, match the style of the door to the architectural style of your home. Browse your garage door installer’s catalog, discuss prices and choose the door best suited for your needs.

2. Match the Garage Door Color to the House

Often, garage doors are painted white even when the house is painted another color. This makes the garage stand out and draws attention to it – even though it’s arguably not the most important feature of the house.

Paint your garage door a color to match your home’s siding. This can help your door blend in with the rest of the house, making it look like it belongs in the space. In other words, if your home’s siding is blue, paint your garage door blue.

Be careful – this only works with certain types of materials. For example, wood garage doors can be painted, vinyl cannot. Before painting your garage door, know what the material is and find out whether painting it is appropriate. If painting doesn’t work for your garage door, replacement is better.

3. Dress Up Your Driveway

Make your driveway beautiful with landscaping. Plant annuals or perennial flowers on either side of the driveway, and in garden boxes around your garage. When choosing annuals or perennials to line the driveway, take care to ensure that the plants you choose will not overgrow to cover the edge of the driveway. If you plant spreading plants that overtake a portion of the driveway, you’ll have to prune them back regularly.

4. Maintain Your Driveway and Garage

Pressure wash your driveway on an annual basis to remove dirt and grime from the concrete. This will keep your concrete looking like new.

Wash your garage door as well. Many garage doors shouldn’t be pressure washed, as pressure washing can do damage to the door and may remove any paint on the door. To wash your garage door, use warm water and a sponge to gently wipe away any grime on the door. Spray down the door with a jet of water from a hose, then allow it to dry on its own.

Want to Improve Your Garage Style? Contact Overhead Door

Overhead Door of Fayetteville can help you improve your garage style by replacing your garage door, or making repairs. Contact us today to get started with your garage door replacement!

Next, we’ll examine how something as simple as spring cleaning can make a big impact on how your garage door looks—and how this can improve curb appeal.

Refresh Your Home’s Curb Appeal With a Little Garage Door Spring Cleaning

For most homeowners, spring cleaning takes place pretty much right after the excitement of the holidays. That’s when you — and your family, friends and neighbors — start spending a lot more time outdoors, so it makes sense to ensure your home is in top shape from both aesthetic and functional points of view.

When it comes to sprucing up your home for warmer weather, it’s easy to focus on things like flowers, porch planters and patio furniture. But your garage needs some love too — especially your garage door and the area around it. Your garage door is probably pretty visible; the doors are big, and that means they take up a lot of visual space and a lot of attention, both from your family and from passersby. 

Taking some time to spruce up the area and make sure your garage door is working properly means you’ll have more time to really enjoy the warm weather—and less time doing repairs and upkeep when you’d rather be relaxing. Here’s what to put on your garage door spring cleaning checklist.

Clear the debris

Cobwebs tend to collect around doors and windows—even more so if you have lighting around your garage. Grab a broom and sweep the door and surrounding trim from top to bottom to remove cobwebs, leaves and other debris. Then, rinse the door area with a hose to remove stubborn grime. There, it looks better already!

Check the seal

Spring and summer tend to bring some pretty big rainstorms, and it’s your seal that helps keep your garage and its contents dry and secure. Check the seal for damage, wear or warping, and replace it if necessary. 

This is a job where you can call in a pro or try to tackle it on your own—just be sure to get the correct seal for your door. A good seal also prevents mice and other critters from getting into your garage.

Lubricate the mechanism

Most doors benefit from routine lubrication to keep the mechanism working smoothly and prevent future problems. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for which areas to lubricate, and be sure to use a lubricant that’s designed specifically for garage doors.

Clean the “eyes”

Automatic garage door mechanisms rely on sensors to determine when to raise and lower the door. Dirt and grime on the sensor “eyes” makes it harder for the system to sense movements that trigger the up-and-down function of the door. Give them a wipe and make sure they’re still aligned properly. While you’re at it, change the batteries in your remote, too.

Need Assistance Getting Your Garage Door in Top Shape? We’re Here to Help!

Garage door spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a major pain. All it takes is a little TLC to keep your door looking great and operating the way it should. And if there’s a problem, we can help. Give us a call, and we’ll handle the rest so you can focus on enjoying the beautiful weather.

One simple element that can make a dramatic impact on your garage door’s appearance is color. Simply picking a color that will complement your home will make a big impact. But where do you start? There are so many options. That’s why we’re going to help you with our useful homeowner’s guide to picking garage door colors. 

Homeowner’s Guide to Picking Garage Door Colors

The color of your garage door can have a big impact on the appearance of your house. When picking a color, it’s important to carefully consider all of your options and make a choice that will give your house an optimal curb appeal.

What to Consider When Selecting a Color

When choosing a new garage door, take into consideration which of these colors are present on and near your home. Ask yourself whether you would prefer your garage doors to stand out and catch the eye, or blend into the other colors present on your home.

When to Consider Whites and Neutrals

Garage doors typically come in a few standard colors, including white and shades of tan or brown. White and off-white are among the most popular colors for garage doors. Selecting a white door will give your garage a classic, crisp appearance. In a more wooded setting, or in a home where stone and wood are the primary siding materials, a brown door may be more appropriate.

If you’re painting your garage instead of buying a new door, select a paint color that matches your house or trim. By ordering paint that is the same color as your house, you can achieve a seamless look where the color of the doors will blend nicely with the rest of your home.

Some people prefer to have their garage doors serve as an accent. To do this, they paint their door the same color as their shutters or other trim on their house. This provides nice contrast with the main color of the home without introducing a third color into the palette.

Get Paint Samples to Help You Make a Decision

If you’re not sure how a color will look, or if you’re trying to choose between colors, paint samples can help. Paint some large pieces of cardboard and lean those pieces against your garage doors. Doing this will give you a sense of how a particular color would look, and will also enable you to solicit input from other family members in your home, as multiple options can be seen in quick succession.

Work with a Garage Door Contractor

By giving careful consideration to the many color options, you can ensure that your home will have curb appeal and that you will feel satisfied with the appearance of your home. Garage doors can have a big impact on the appearance of a home, so take time to make this decision carefully. It’s well worth the effort! 

Contact us today if you need assistance with picking a color.

Does Color Matter on Your Commercial Garage Doors?

Commercial garage doors serve a utilitarian function, so does it really matter what they look like? Some might say no, but we’ve got a different perspective.

The color of your commercial garage doors can affect everything from the temperature of your garage to how attractive your business looks to customers. There’s a lot to think about when you’re trying to choose the garage door for your commercial establishment. Here’s what you need to know.

Color Affects Energy Efficiency

Darker colors absorb as much as 85% of the heat from the sun while white absorbs only about 20 or 30% of the heat from the sun. This can make a big difference in the temperature of your commercial garage.

If your garage doors are heating the inside of your garage throughout the summer, then your HVAC system may be required to run harder and longer just to maintain energy efficiency. That can cost your business by raising your utility bills. If your garage is often uncomfortable, it could even lead to high employee turnover, which could cost your business even more money!

If you feel like it’s important to have a dark color on your garage door, talk to us about our steel back insulated doors. Insulation can help block the heat and keep your garage interior cool and comfortable year-round.

Some Colors Are Easier to Clean

Some colors just show dirt a lot less than other colors. If your commercial building is in a dusty area that’s likely to get dirty on a regular basis, then maybe your garage doors would look best if in a color that doesn’t show dirt easily. White doors and black doors both show dirt easily, so we suggest something in brown, beige, or gray.

Curb Appeal Matters

When you think of curb appeal, you probably think of homes. Did you know that curb appeal matters for commercial buildings as well? In fact, one study showed that up to 70 percent of first-time sales are based on curb appeal.

It’s important to choose garage doors that make your business look good – especially if your garage doors face the street where customers can see them. At Overhead Door Company of Fayetteville, we’re happy to help you choose the garage door color that will look best with your building. Our commercial doors come in a range of colors. Contact us to find out more.

Installing New Commercial Garage Doors? Need Help Selecting a Door for Your Home? Contact Us

Are you installing new commercial garage doors in Fayetteville, but having a hard time deciding which doors to install and in what colors? Contact Overhead Door Company of Fayetteville. 

We’ll be happy to walk you through our catalog, discuss your choices and answer any questions that you have. Together, we’ll find the right product for your commercial building or home! Call today to make an appointment.

 

Key Takeaways

• You can paint a garage door provided you follow basic steps and ensure you’re using the right type of paint for the job.
• You can improve your garage style by:
  • Selecting a new door
  • Matching the color to your home
  • “Dressing up” your driveway
  • Maintaining your driveway and garage
• Spring cleaning is a perfect opportunity to refresh your home’s curb appeal.
• When selecting a color for your garage door, there are several factors to consider, including your home’s trim colors. You may also opt for a classic white, or even brown if your home is in a wooded setting. 
• Your garage door color can affect your home’s energy efficiency.
• There are so many choices available, it’s vital to work with the experts at Overhead Door Company of Fayetteville who will help guide you to the option that’s best for you!