Are black garage doors a bad idea? Perhaps this is a common question among new homeowners or those eyeing home improvements. Before choosing the color of your garage, there are several things that you need to take into account, including its overall color theme, quality, and longevity.
In this, guide, we will help you decide whether painting the exterior section of your home black is the best option. But before that, let’s discuss the importance of your home’s exterior.
Why the home’s exterior is as important as the interior design?
Whenever you visit a relative or a friend’s home, maybe the first thing that you’d see is their garage. It’s because some people are drawn to the shade of the exterior of your home. Aside from the fascination, it brings to visitors, a striking garage elevates the overall style of the house.
Since it enhances the value of your home, that is why many spend time choosing the best color for their garage to materialize their preferences. It’s vital that you have a perception of what you want to achieve so it would match the overall look of your residence.
Fortunately, when picking the dominant color for the front of your home, you’ve got different colors on the palette. Aside from that, you may even add accent colors according to your liking. One of the most intriguing yet captivating garage door colors in home designs is none other than black paint.
Why black is popular among homeowners but not among architects?
Black garage doors are not necessarily a bad idea. In fact, many homeowners actually appreciate the color black because of its simplicity with a hint of elegance. They consider having a black garage door a perfect motif for their dream door.
Unfortunately, despite its curb appeal, this hue may have a lot of downsides. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the ins and outs when using the color black. Learn the relevant features when painting your garage door black from the point of view of an architect and a contractor.
1. Black easily absorbs heat.
First and foremost, it’s important that you understand the physics of colors. Black, compared to other shades, takes up all seven light wavelengths, specifically violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red.
Accordingly, this is the reason why solar panels are mostly painted black they can easily absorb the energy from the sunlight, which then transforms into electrical charges. The same framework goes with painting your garage door black.
Black is considered a heat magnet, although it still depends on the position of the door. If the door is located in the direction of the sun or your house is primarily hit by direct sunlight, then this has a significant impact on the working condition inside your garage.
The color as well as the position of the door results in a hotter garage temperature. Not only that but black surfaces carry heat longer than white or other lighter shades. Thus, you can’t expect a cooler condition if you install a black garage door in your home.
2. Hotter conditions complicate the situation even more.
In addition, if you are living in states that are mainly hot all year round like Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana, then picking the right garage door color is crucial. Black, for one, tends to not reflect the wavelengths of light, hence these particular surfaces get hot, especially in extreme conditions.
But of course, if you’re living in cold areas or countries, then black would be good. During colder months, the garage and the other rooms in your house may need extra heat. And conveniently, black does not lose its heat easily, making it more suitable when winter comes.
These are just things that you need to know deeply when you ultimately decide to choose black as the color of your garage door. All of these will be discussed later on.
3. You’d be stuck with higher energy costs.
Since you already know that black and darker colors absorb heat significantly, you can expect hotter conditions inside the garage. Because of this, you’d probably decide to install an air conditioner in this section. However, this won’t be functional in the long run, especially in hot climates.
In general, an AC unit works harder if the room is very hot. And when the AC works double time, it uses more energy. As a result, you’d be paying higher bills because the AC has to run longer than usual to cool the place. So, it might not be the best idea to paint garage doors black if you want to save money.
4. It may not be ideal for sensitive persons.
Aside from the higher costs, a black garage door could mean that a room may not be conducive for sensitive people. Hot temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other serious illnesses like heat stroke.
Thus, if you’ve got a black garage door, it’s not advisable to stay inside for a longer duration. This can be very risky during extreme weather conditions, especially if there’s no air conditioner.
5. Black easily fades compared to other colors.
In relation to the analysis between colors and climate, if you’re living in areas with hot temperatures, there’s a tendency for the color black to fade sooner than other hues. The reason for this is because of the higher absorption of heat, along with the UV rays.
These two elements then cause the black paint to weaken over time. Accordingly, the color loses its beautiful luster and eventually fades. There are also times that the painting creates peel on the surface, affecting the exterior of your garage.
This is particularly prominent among metal garage doors. These types of doors are very prone to fading because of easy heat acquisition as well as their metal composition. That’s why most architects recommend lighter colors if you opt for metallic ones.
6. It highlights dirt and stain.
Lastly, there’s a higher chance to see stains and dirt on black garage doors. Why? It’s because of its dark hue, which allows these imperfections are visibly seen. That is why black doors may be more challenging to maintain. Plus, even if you clean it regularly, this particular color easily attracts dirt and other particles.
Things to consider if you decide on having a black garage door
Even with the mounting disadvantages, you can still pick the color black, especially if you really want to achieve a certain aesthetic in your home. However, you need to understand that black garage doors require extra maintenance than other shades. So, below are the tips that you should remember:
1. Paint quality is crucial.
The type of paint material has a significant impact on the quality and longevity of the color. Therefore, you should invest in the paint from the most trusted names. Ditch low-quality paint brands to ensure the quality of your door’s surface.
You may also opt for a smooth finish or possibly matte coating, depending on your entire home look. In addition, you should take note that there are different paint types for metal and wood doors. So, it’s best to get recommendations from architects or contractors.
One of the best options is the acrylic latex exterior paint, which is highly effective in withstanding wear and weathering issues. This is also a great choice when it comes to its application and opaqueness. Acrylic latex paint is very easy to apply, plus it’s more opaque than other hardware paint types.
2. Don’t forget to sand the first layer.
If the existing layer of color is quite visible or there is chipping, then make sure you sand the surface. This is also a must for garage doors that are made of wood.
Skipping this step could result in a rougher finish and an unsightly appearance due to various imperfections. On top of that, this may lead to a bigger problem in the long run.
3. Apply it evenly to create a smoother finish.
After smoothing out and cleaning the surface, add tape to areas that should not be painted. Then, start painting using a roller for easier reach. However, if the door is made of wood, you may add primer. A rust-resistant primer, on the other hand, is needed for metal-based doors.
When painting, follow a smooth, even stroke all the way to the door’s edges. Then, be sure that the first layer is completely dried up before applying the second layer.
4. You may add an accent to the surface.
Well, a garage door that is all black may be both beautiful and too extreme. Apparently, you won’t have to paint the entire garage door pitch black just to achieve a more modern look on your black color theme.
You may add an accent, perhaps white, to elevate its appearance. Or you can complement it with a greyish shade to give dimension to the entire surface.
5. Make sure you clean them regularly.
As mentioned earlier, black doors quickly get stained. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on its cleanliness to ensure its longevity.
Maintaining the quality of the door is not just about cleaning the surface but also adding lubricant to the moving parts of the door. This helps in ensuring the overall working condition of the garage door. Moreover, it minimizes possible signs of wear and tear.
Conclusion
Choosing the color of the exterior of your garage largely depends on your preferences. However, it’s also vital that you consider the information and tips gathered above. This will eventually save you time, effort, and even money from unsatisfactory results.
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