As a general rule, the choice of garage door and garage door material is largely determined by the type of house you have, your space, and of course, your budget.

There are four different styles of garage doors: the sectional door, the roller door, side-hung door and up-and-over door. They come in three different materials you can choose from: wood, steel and glass reinforced plastic.

Garage doors for small garages. If your house has a short drive and is generally restricted space-wise, then a roller garage door might just be what you are looking for. A roller door rolls straight up a drum found above the opening, so there are no outswings or overhangs. A sectional garage door, on the other hand, differs in the manner by which the door is stored once opened. Like the roller door, there is no outswing so you can park your car flush to the garage door.

Garage doors for bigger garages. Up-and-over garage doors are one piece doors that swing out and then up, lying parallel to the ceiling. They can be made from steel or wood, but glass reinforced plastic is the most common material used to make them. You need a large space before the garage door (from the ground up and from the top down) to allow the door to freely swing in its horizontal position. If you have a big garage, you should also consider the most traditional (and simplest) style of garage door the side hung door. They hang from the side, and are basically double doors that lock in the middle.

Choosing materials. Garage doors made from wood provide the best aesthetic look, although they will probably require high maintenance and tend to be more expensive. If looks are more important to you than budget, then you may opt for this type of door.

Steel is the most secure material for garage doors. But although it is strong, it alone does not secure your property. The garage doorframe and other entrances should be secured, too.

The most popular material used is the glass reinforced plastic that can be used in most doors except the side hung doors. It provides the best value for the money and can be finished in glass wood or modern glossy style.