Some garages have a lot of character, but lack in the functionality department. Still, some of their qualities – windows, panels, color, materials – can inspire and be borrowed for modern, mechanized garages. Last week, we took a quick photo tour around Portland and checked out an assortment of garage doors. Not surprisingly, the informal survey turned up some good, some bad, and some ugly. We were left with some questions: What makes some garage doors better than others? And where in town can we go for a new (custom or not) garage door that falls squarely in the “good” (or better) category? Good garage door design goes beyond simply opening and shutting on command. And while we know that in many aspects of life, looks aren’t important, in the case of garage doors, they most certainly are. At least they are in Portland’s neighborhoods, where snout houses are essentially outlawed, and amiably fitting into the streetscape is not just appreciated but expected. PacDoor makes its wooden (custom) garage doors in an industrial part of Southeast Portland.

This model isn’t going anywhere, but shows the wood paneled door on its metal track. Getting a garage door that shuts down and puts on a good face to the neighbors simply means following some good basic design principles and combining the various design options amicably. garage door opener installation columbus ohMaterials, color, details (panels, hardware, windows…), size and location all make a huge difference. garage door cable alignmentIs the garage at the front of the house or on the side, setback or smack out front? sliding wardrobe doors for sale melbourneIs it wood or metal, faux or real? antique revolving doors for sale

Is the color in tune with the rest of the house, as a match or a harmonious contrast? For instance, a garage that is setback and partly hidden down a sloping driveway (or even located around the corner from the front of the house) is much more forgiving than one that’s right up front and center. glass door handles dubaiThen again, many mid-century modernist houses deliberately site the garage door “out and proud” on the front façade, in which case the garage will need to be simple, spare and made of good materials that blend or harmonize with the rest of the house.car window repair temecula ca Even garages that are nearly smack up against the sidewalk can be friendly, approachable and good neighbors to a walkable streetscape.door handles brisbane northside

That same mid-century modernist home would look ridiculous with a traditional “carriage house” style garage door, but that door would be perfect on an early 20th century craftsman or 1940s Tudor style house. Scale is another factor: a garage that is as large as the house itself is a tough one to make look good. Camouflage can be achieved, or at least awkwardness minimized, through color, windows or landscaping. Location means not just whether the garage is up front or off to the side, but also whether it’s attached or separate from the house. And sometimes, doubling up or clustering garages creates a more pleasing, well-proportioned neighbor for the street. Several Portland companies offer garage doors, including custom-made (or part-custom), from wood and/or carriage-style doors, to sleek aluminum-framed, glass-panel doors. Clean lines, aluminum frame, and translucent glass panels make a Modern Classic garage door, from Northwest Door and available at Oregon City Garage Door company.

Here are a few Portland area professional garage door providers: Pacdoor (a division of Pacific Overhead Door) Carries several lines, from heavy duty steel doors (low maintenance) to Portland Collection “all natural wood carriage house doors” to custom built carriage house doors (Prestige Collection) and traditional raised panel wood doors. Oregon City Garage Door Company offers wood doors as well as aluminum doors in a classic carriage house style, with windows and panels that can be painted and many choices in glass and panel finishes. Their Modern Classic line (from Northwest Door) offers simple, sleek, aluminum frame-and-glass panel doors. Precision Overhead Garage Door Services has a nifty "Customize Your Door" page (Door Designer) on its website, where you can choose options for door design, windows, hardware, etc. They also offer a wide selection of Carriage House-style doors from various manufacturers. Portland Old-School Woodworks company – for carriage-house style, swing out doors as well as sliding barn doors (including interior) and handcrafted, custom carpentry.

Residential Garage Door Sales And Services Commercial Overhead Door Sales And Services Automatic Door Sales and Services + View All Services About Door Services, Inc. Commercial And Residential Door Sales And Service Since 1989. Residential & Commercial Garage Door Company in Portland, ME We have garage door products for all types of residential homes, condominiums and apartment complexes, and commercial buildings and institutions We are an authorized dealer of many brands of garage doors, sectional and coiling doors, loading dock equipment and automatic entrances. Some of the renowned manufacturers we work with for our residential garage doors are Amarr, Clopay, Carriage House Door Company, Raynor, and Richards-Wilcox. With our unique connections and personal attentiveness, you’re sure to be satisfied. Whether you have residential or commercial garage door considerations, we always get the job done correctly, on time, and within your budget.

We are proud to serve the Portland, ME area, including: Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Biddeford, Scarborough, Auburn, Lewiston, Augusta and Brunswick. Make sure to contact us soon, or stop by to meet our prized terriers and official mascots, Victor and Violet! Our Garage Door Company is Always Ready to Help! Automatic Entrances: Sliding and Swing-type Security Gates and Operating Devices I would like to take this opportunity to commend Door Services, Inc., for the professionalism and cooperation displayed at every level of your organization during the IDEXX expansion and renovation project. Just wanted you to know what an excellent employee you have in Steve. He was polite, hard working, he wouldn't even let me give him a cup of coffee! Employees represent their company and he did DSI proud. Just wanted to tell you that the guy who installed our doors was terrific. He worked a steady 9+ hours without a break and did a great job. Please forward this to the powers that be.