Garage Doors - maintaining the look

We have an 18 unit townhouse complex with all units facing toward each other around a common driveway court yard. Each unit has a one car wide or two car wide garage. The units were built in the 70s and they all have wooden garage doors. Over the years garage doors have needed to be worked on or replaced and owners have always chosen to stay with the wood door option with very slight modifications in how the panels of the doors were constructed. The differences in the panel construction have been minor and probably only noticeable when pointed out up close.

Now one member needs to replace his garage door and he sees a cost benefit of picking a metal door rather than wood because the metal doors have much better thermal insulation, are lighter and put much less stress on the motor and rails, and are approximately the price. The original wood doors look noticeably different than the metal door panels. Color wise, the doors can be painted to be the same. And the glass inserts in the doors can be close to the same height and size.

The board is contemplating whether we should allow this change to the look. Wooden doors are approximately the same price but the owner wants the energy efficiency. The owner says that it might be possible to get a very expensive metal door that gets closer to the look of the doors but for twice the price and then would negate any energy costs he is hoping to save.

This is similar to the transition that the owners have made in the last twenty years as most of the owners have installed double pane energy efficient windows that look a little different from the original. The board has never stopped owners from requesting that change as long as the color of the framing stayed consistent.

We also want to be thinking about the front doors that we all have. Currently they are all the same with slight modifications, some owners have installed different unit number signs, some have different locks and handles, some have maintained their wood finish better than others (the association maintains the finish during painting every 8 or 9 years but some owners have maintained the finish on their own). Personally someday I'd like to go with a door that has way of getting more light in possibly with a high mounted window pane to light up the entryway with day light.

The person requesting this metal garage door is saying that many of the units will be facing the same energy efficiency decision in the coming years as the 40 year old garage doors need replacing.

My tendency (I'm on the board) is to allow freedom and I don't mind if things look a little different from one unit to the next. Keep in mind these 18 units are connected to each other over three buildings. 9 in one building, 4 in another, 5 in another).

Another board member thinks it won't look good and lower the property value.

Third member of the three person board is the guy that is thinking about getting the metal garage door.

Should we rationalize that energy efficiency is more important than a very consistent look?

My townhouse also had a wooden door on its one car garage – that’s the first thing I replaced after moving in. I got a metal door because I was concerned about security – not only was the door really old and possibly vulnerable to someone bashing it in, it also had four windows across the top. I had an unfortunate incident when I accidentally locked myself out of the garage (long crazy story) and when the locksmith got it open (the lock was on the front), he suggested my changing to a metal solid door with no lock on the outside, saying “it’s no one’s business what’s in your garage (and he’s right!) I also changed my own door a few years ago from wood to metal – the price was a wee bit much, but I HAVE noticed fewer drafts and it’s helped with keeping my electric bill under control, since I’m in an all-electric unit.

So I think your homeowner has a great point and I’d approve it. I can’t imagine anyone being opposed to saving energy (and thus money), and I suspect you can get a design that’s similar to the original. The board can always adopt design standards (please poll the homeowners first to get their opinions), while ensuring the standards aren’t so off base and expensive no one will comply.

By the way if this homeowner is also a board member, he DOES know that when it comes to voting, he must refrain from voting on his own exterior change request, doesn’t he (conflict of interest and all that)? In fact, he really should have kept his mouth shut during the deliberation. He can always answer specific questions about what he wants to do if asked, but that’s as far as his participation should go. I didn’t say anything when I submitted my change requests and it got approved the same day.

Like you, I’m not a fan of totally cookie-cutter looks, so a few minor variances in the door isn’t a big deal. I also live in a townhouse community and while most of the doors have some similarities, there are also lots of differences in color. The unit number issue is a bit of a mixed bag because we have a lot of tenants and for some reason, some have been compelled to remove the unit numbers entirely – I don’t know if they’re paranoid about privacy (or possibly a bill collector!)

As for the property value argument, I doubt the design of a door being a deal breaker in home selling. In fact, by replacing your windows, doors, etc., with quality products, such as metal instead of wood doors (wood warps and its paint can fade), metal doors are usually stronger, much easier to maintain and energy efficient, as your homeowner noted – THAT could lead to higher sales because people aren’t replacing their doors and windows with cheap stuff.

Be very, very skeptical of the idea that it will save energy.

Consider this from Green Building Advisor:
“Unfortunately, advertised R-values are meaningless...Actual R-values are one-third the advertised values...Garage doors are so leaky that they are difficult to test...look at the seals and the hardware...Should I Insulate My Garage Door? The somewhat surprising answer: probably not”

It also depends on your building. Is the garage heated, room over head, floor slab, etc.?

Consider researching the idea before approving it. It will be useful information for all owners.

Also consider doing a survey of owner's opinions on changing appearance and all the things you mentioned. This is an issue for all your owners to decide.

Jeff's & Mark's replies look good to me, Tino.

I think if I live there I'd want them all the same color & basic style. But I wouldn't insist on identical.

If I were changing out my front door, I too sure would want high window panes.