Find a Charming Garage Door

From the custom-built cedar trellis to the stonework, refined details dominate this garage’s exterior. The attention to detail extends to the standard overhead garage doors, which are accessorized with elegant arches and decorative hardware. Iron pull handles and strap hinges create the illusion of inviting double entry doors giving the garage the overall feel of a carriage house.

• Source Guide:
  Garage doors: from Doors by Mike; doorsbymike.com. Similar styles available from Wayne-Dalton; wayne-dalton.com.
• Garage door hardware: from Schlage; schlage.com. For a similar look, try the Spear Hinge Straps and Lift Handles from Wayne-Dalton; wayne-dalton.com.
• Exterior paint (siding): Anonymous (SW-7046); sherwin-williams.com.
• Trim and garage door paint: Wool Skein (SW-6148); sherwin-williams.com.
• Stonework: Chardonnay Blend by Alluriam Stone (20% rubble, 20% fieldstone, 60% stacked); alluriamstone.com.
• Roof: Slate Grey by Englert, Inc.; englertinc.com.

Grooved paneling and transom windows dress up these triple garage doors and recall the home’s Craftsman-style architecture. The warm stained wood doors suit the wooded backdrop and also complement the muted paint colors and stone foundation. The lodge-like character is finished with mounted copper coach lanterns.

• Source Guide:
• Garage doors: from Wayne-Dalton; wayne-dalton.com.
• Garage paint: Tony Taupe (7038); sherwin-williams.com.
• Trim paint: Smokehouse (7040); sherwin-williams.com.
• Lanterns: The Charleston by Carolina Lanterns; carolinalanterns.com.

A rustic home calls for garage doors that fit the part. Decorative X braces impart the look of stable doors while grooved cedar panels echo the reclaimed wood siding. The doors’ deep paint color suits the structure’s gray palette and picks up the imperfections and lowlights in the weathered siding and stonework.

• Source Guide:
• Garage doors: Reserve Collection Custom Limited Edition (Design 7, SQ23 windows with grooved cedar panels) by Clopay; clopaydoor.com.
• Garage door paint: Urbane Bronze (SW7048); sherwin-williams.com.
• Garage siding: reclaimed wood from Wyoming Snowfence; centennialwoods.com.

From the natural wood finish to the paned windows, X braces, and iron hardware, these swing garage doors evoke the charm of stables. Swing garage doors hang from hinges on either side and can be opened manually or with a remote. Because they don’t require an overhead track, swing doors are a good option for garages with limited headroom.

Source Guide:
Garage doors: for a similar look, try model 3080K by the Carriage House Door Company; carriagedoor.com.

Don’t be afraid of color for a garage door. A painted green garage door is appropriate for this garden carriage house because it references the emerald hues of the climbing vines and garden foliage. In choosing a paint color for your garage door, consider the color of the main home. The garage door should accent the exterior color palette and create a cohesive appearance. Love the look of this freestanding garage? Visit southernlivinghouseplans.com to buy the plan!

• Source Guide:
• Garage door: similar styles available from Clopay; clopaydoor.com.
• Garage door paint: for a similar look, try ben Waterborne Exterior Paint Low Lustre (542) in Green (2044-10); benjaminmoore.com.
• Garage plan: The Wilton #1730; southernlivinghouseplans.com.

Creating consistency between a home’s exterior features translates to major curb appeal. For these homeowners, stained garage doors and paned windows not only establish consistency, but also give the exterior a coastal quality that reflects their maritime interests. “Garage doors are typically scars on most houses,” says the home’s architect Michael Frederick. “However, these designer doors match other elements on the house with detail resembling the woodwork of Hinckley boats.”

• Source Guide:
• Garage doors: custom in red cedar by Designer Doors; designerdoors.com.
• Garage door stain: Translucent Finish in 045 Mahogany by Sikkens Wood Finishes; sikkens.ca.
• Exterior paint: Oyster Shell (43YY78/053) by Glidden (glidden.com); homedepot.com.
• Trim paint: Snowy Egret (PWN-50); behr.com.
• Hanging lantern: Montgomery (FCD9139C1); troy-lighting.com.
• Windows: custom, Alaskan Yellow Cedar with Mahogany Stain; dynamicwindows.com.
• Roof: Zinc Standing Seam in Natural VMZINC; vmzinc-us.com

Similar to traditional barn doors, this single sliding garage door operates on a track system, sliding open to the side. The design is practical, easy to operate, and ideal for tight spaces. The cedar paneling and decorative X brace further lend to the garage’s barn-like charm. Note: This is the least weathertight garage door style.

• Source Guide:
• Garage paint (siding): Tyler Taupe (HC-43); benjaminmoore.com.
• Garage door: from American Overhead Door, Bryan, TX; 979/775-6531. For a similar look, try Single Sliding Doors by the Real Carriage Door Company; realcarriagedoors.com.
• Roof: Galvalume roof by McElroy Metal; mcelroymetal.com.