Guide to Black Garage Doors

Black garage doors are all the rage today with the modern farmhouse home building on the rise. We have seen the demand increase over the past few years to the point it can no longer be ignored.

In the past, we talked people out of black garage doors since many manufacturers did not offer the color in most of their lineup due to issues with heat buildup. In this article, we will answer all your questions related to black garage doors.

Do Garage Doors Come in Black?

Yes, most styles of garage doors come in black today. This was not the case a few years ago. Black garage doors were known for having warping issues due to heat. Modern advancements in paint and insulation technology have solved many of those problems.

As illustrated by the photo above, you can get black garage doors in every style including modern, traditional, and even carriage house. There is something available for every homeowner or builder that will complete the design for any project.

Are Black Garage Doors More Expensive?

In the early days, black was an upgraded color because there was no demand for it, and it was a special order. Today, with the rise of farmhouse style homes, black has become almost as common as other dark color garage doors.

Most manufacturers today will offer black garage doors as a standard color in some of their models, but not all. This is so they can stay competitive, keep up with trends, and sell more garage doors.

If you are dealing with a manufacturer that uses a special black paint that is designed to deal with the extreme heat of the southern part of the United States, there may be an up charge. These types of paints have a higher solar reflective value that keeps the panels from getting too hot.

Which Manufacturers Offer Black Garage Doors?

Most garage door manufacturers today offer black as a color option for their product lineup. Internet trends and social media have a powerful effect on how markets behave. Manufacturers could not ignore the rising popularity of black garage doors.

If you do find a particular model of garage door that does not come in black, you can always have it painted any custom color you want to match the style of your home. Most garage doors installed on new homes today are custom painted to match the theme of the home.

Is a Garage Hotter With a Black Garage Door?

I don’t know of a study that has been done to determine whether a garage is hotter with a black painted garage door. What I can tell you is while installing a garage door that is painted black or any other dark color, the outside surface will get so hot in the summer you can’t touch it.

The metal on a black garage door will get much hotter than black paint on a vehicle. This is why some manufacturers have started using solar reflective paints to help this problem.

Will Black Garage Doors Fade?

All garage door colors will fade over time, especially in the south, where extreme heat is so common. Your darker color garage doors will most likely be more noticeable because the color will start to lose its deep, rich hue.

If this happens to your garage door, it’s not the end of the world. You can always have your garage doors repainted to give them a fresh update. When having them painted, you can choose to go back with a dark color or change it to something lighter that will be less maintenance.

Can I Paint a Steel Garage Door Black?

Yes, you can paint a garage door any custom color you want. Most manufacturers will have instructions on their website on how to prepare a garage door if you plan to paint it. They will also recommend the type of paint that should be used.

When selecting a dark color paint, check to see if your local paint store offers a special high heat paint if you live in an area with extreme temperatures. This will extend the life of your garage door finish and help keep the face of the door cooler to the touch.

Now, with all that being said, I would first check with the manufacturer of the garage door before painting it black. As illustrated by the photo above, the garage door installed is white and this could be because it has an overlay on the face that could warp over time if painted black.

This is a good example of a home that would benefit cosmetically if the garage door was painted black. It would create a much more dramatic statement from a curb appeal aspect. If you're going to leave the door a white color, I would recommend painting the door using the exact color on the exterior of the home so it looks more consistent.

Vinyl Trim for Black Garage Doors

The history of black vinyl trim has been an interesting one for garage doors. Manufacturers could not figure out how to keep it from warping in the sun over time due to the heat buildup in the vinyl.

To resolve this issue, some manufacturers started offering hollow vinyl trim that came in two pieces. This allowed the trim to dissipate heat and prevented warping for the life of the trim.

Are Black Garage Doors a Bad Idea?

Black garage doors are not a bad idea. In the right situation, they can make a profound statement on your home’s curb appeal. Black is a bold color that can add a dramatic effect on the look of your home while disappearing at the same time.

One thing to keep in mind is that it’s harder to see detail on a garage door if they are painted black. If you intend to go this route, it might be smart not to spend extra on a highly detailed garage door style, since it most likely won't be appreciated as much in a darker color.

Conclusion

Black garage doors can make a statement on a home like no other color if used in the proper way. If you intend to have black garage doors installed or having them painted, contacting the manufacturer of your door will help ensure they are a proper fit for your climate and sun exposure.