• Foursquare Instead of four windows in a row, try four in a square. Many garage door companies are willing to make these types of modifi cations.

    Credit: Sarah Susanka

    Foursquare Instead of four windows in a row, try four in a square. Many garage door companies are willing to make these types of modifi cations.
 
  • Trimmed Out A standard, flat garage door can be dressed up with 1x4 or 1x6 wood trim in different colors to add personality.

    Credit: Sarah Susanka

    Trimmed Out A standard, flat garage door can be dressed up with 1x4 or 1x6 wood trim in different colors to add personality.
 
  • Tradition-Bound Many custom and semi-custom garage door companies are returning to traditional designs. Explore your options.

    Credit: Sarah Susanka

    Tradition-Bound Many custom and semi-custom garage door companies are returning to traditional designs. Explore your options.
 
  • Motif Match Design the door to match a motif that appears elsewhere on the house. For continuity, apply that motif to a front door or roof gable.

    Credit: Sarah Susanka

    Motif Match Design the door to match a motif that appears elsewhere on the house. For continuity, apply that motif to a front door or roof gable.

If your project has garage doors that face the street, spend a little extra on the doors themselves to make them a more personal expression than the typical panel or metal door. Custom garage doors are more expensive than their off-the-self competitors. However, if you have a tight budget, consider a high-density fiberboard door and add a few pieces of trim to give it personality. Here are some options to differentiate garage doors.

Adapted with permission from More Not So Big Remodeling Solutions by Sarah Susanka, published by The Taunton Press (2010).