Are you shopping for a new garage door for your home? Modern garage doors are one of the most popular styles today because they work well with any kind of home. From classic farmhouses to mid-century modern ranchers, you can’t go wrong with contemporary garage doors. Let’s take a look at the benefits of modern garage doors and why they’re a good choice for your home.
What Does “Modern” Mean?
Modern architecture is defined as “a design language with an emphasis on form rather than ornament; structure and materials rather than picturesque constructions; and the rational and efficient use of space.” While modern architecture has its roots in the 1890s, it became increasingly popular in the 1930s.
Traits of Modern Homes
Modern homes (and modern garage doors) share many common characteristics. These include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Large bands of windows framed in metal (often aluminum)
- Lack of ornamentation for a streamlined look
- Neutral colors (beige, black, gray, white, etc.)
- Asymmetrical designs and composition
Their Minimalistic Design Stands Out
Because they focus on “form rather than ornament,” modern garage door designs tend to stand out from the crowd. Their clean, minimalist design spotlights the door itself, rather than decorative hardware or intricate trim and paneling designs.
Panels & Trim
Contemporary garage doors are characterized by sleek lines and the intentional use of both negative and positive space. In many cases, they follow a horizontal theme that can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. The panels are typically flat and set in a clean horizontal or vertical layout, and many are free of decorative trim boards.
Windows
Most modern garage door designs contain few embellishments, like decorative hardware or window lites. If the door does contain windows with lites, they’re typically prairie style. Windows are often positioned in non-conventional spaces, such as vertically down one side of the door. Some doors may be composed almost entirely of window panels, while others may have no windows at all.
Decorative Hardware
Many modern garage doors aren’t embellished with decorative hardware, such as latches or ring pulls. Again, this is a result of a focus on form over function. If they do have accents, they’re typically made from metal and in a color that won’t stand out from the rest of the door.
Colors
While modern garage doors are available in nearly any color you can think of, they’re often a more neutral tone. These include black, white, gray, cream, taupe, beige, and wood tones. The base color should reflect the color of the home to ensure the garage integrates into the house as a whole.
They’re Built With High-Quality Materials
Like any door style, contemporary garage doors are available in a variety of durable and high-quality materials. The most common materials used to construct modern doors are wood, wood composite, steel, aluminum, and glass.
Many modern doors mix various materials to connect with the home’s unique architectural elements. This also helps avoid the design monotony that can happen with other door styles. We’ll take a closer look at each of these common materials below.
Wood
Wooden garage doors are typically finished with natural stains or painted in the neutral colors mentioned above. If the home contains other wood elements, the color of the door should complement those features. Wood doors add a classic look that complements a wide variety of homes without feeling outdated or stuffy.
Wood Composite
Constructed from a mixture of wood fiber, plastic, and a binding agent, wood composite doors offer the look of real wood without the maintenance. They can be painted or stained and are designed to replicate the graining and sawmarks of authentic wood.
Steel
Steel garage doors can take a beating and are an ideal choice for climates that experience more extreme weather. Depending on your preferences, they can replicate the look of wood or showcase the modern characteristics of metal. They also come in a wide range of colors to complement or stand out from any home.
Glass & Aluminum
Most glass garage doors use a sturdy aluminum frame to hold the glass panels in place. These doors are a sustainable choice, since aluminum is recyclable and glass lets natural light and heat into your garage. Their simple, clean lines reinforce form over function and blend into the modern design of the home itself. Glass garage doors are also a great way to bridge indoor and outdoor space, which is often a focus of modern construction.
They’re Designed to Complement Your Home
Whether you want your door to stand out from the rest of your home or blend into your overall design, there’s a modern garage door to meet your needs. If you want your door to grab the attention of passersby, opt for a bright color or unique window arrangement. If you’d like your door to blend in, incorporate design elements from other parts of your home to create a uniform appearance.
This blog was originally published in January 2018. It was updated in September 2020.
