Decorative Garage Door Hardware Options
The garage door is the largest element of your home's exterior, significantly influencing curb appeal. A plain or worn-out door can detract from your home’s visual appeal and value. Enhancing your garage door with decorative hardware is an easy and affordable way to make it stand out. In this guide, the experts at A Better Garage Door explore how you can use simple decorative elements to improve your garage door's appearance.
A Quick Look at Decorative Hardware Options
With the right decorative hardware, you can transform a dull garage door into a charming, eye-catching feature of your home. Decorative hardware adds visual appeal but doesn’t perform any functional purpose. It mimics classic garage door accessories, offering a vintage or elegant look. Below are some popular types of decorative hardware commonly used across the U.S., including Colorado.
Clavos
Clavos are decorative nails that add visual interest by mimicking traditional ironwork. They create the impression that your door is older or more substantial. While clavos break up a large, plain door surface, overuse or poor placement can result in an unattractive look.
Door Stops
Fake door stops give the illusion of old-fashioned carriage house doors. However, they can pose a tripping hazard or get caught in equipment like a snowblower, potentially causing damage. Carefully consider the placement of decorative door stops.
Pull Handles
Pull handles are most commonly used on overhead doors alongside strap hinges, creating a carriage house look. They also serve a practical purpose by making it easier to open the door manually during power outages (as long as they are securely fastened).
Strap Hinges
Strap hinges are a nostalgic feature, often used to evoke the appearance of traditional carriage house doors. These long, decorative hinges can be applied to almost any door, but they work best on hinged garage doors. Strap hinges are typically black, mimicking wrought iron, and create a classic, vintage look.
Determining if Decorative Garage Door Hardware is Right for Your House
Here are some important questions to consider before adding decorative hardware to your home's garage door.
- Who actually sees your door? — If your garage door is obscured from view, decorative hardware may not be worth the investment. However, if it’s highly visible from the street, it could be a great way to enhance your home’s appeal.
- Will garage door hardware clash with the look of your front door? — If your garage and front doors are near each other, ensure design consistency. Adding vintage hardware to a modern front door could create a jarring contrast.
- Will hardware improve the look of the door? — Some doors may not suit decorative hardware. Test the hardware using photo editing software to see if it enhances the look before committing to the installation.
What Are Magnetic Decorative Garage Door Accessories?
In the past, most garage doors were made of wood, but today’s metal-panel doors allow for easy application of magnetic accessories. Magnetic decorative elements can be attached to a metal door without any permanent modifications, and they can be repositioned or removed as desired.
Watch the video below to see how magnetic door accessories can be easily applied to a steel garage door.
"Magnetic decorative hardware is an easy-to-install home decor that will give garage doors added style that will not rust or discolor."
—Dura-Lift Door Hardware
How Magnetic Door Accessories Compare
In the past, most garage doors were made of wood, but today’s metal-panel doors allow for easy application of magnetic accessories. Magnetic decorative elements can be attached to a metal door without any permanent modifications, and they can be repositioned or removed as desired.
Watch the video below to see how magnetic door accessories can be easily applied to a steel garage door.
"Magnetic decorative hardware is an easy-to-install home decor that will give garage doors added style that will not rust or discolor."
—Dura-Lift Door Hardware
While magnetic handles and other accessories are easy to install, they can’t be used to open the door manually during a power outage— they’ll simply pop off. Additionally, magnetic hardware can be stolen, though it’s not commonly targeted.
| Feature | Magnetic Decorative Garage Door Hardware | Affixed Metal Garage Door Hardware |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Installation | Easy to install; no drilling or permanent attachment required. | Requires drilling and permanent attachment to the door surface. |
| Flexibility | Can be easily removed or repositioned without leaving holes. | Permanent once installed; cannot be easily changed or moved. |
| Durability | Less durable, especially in extreme weather conditions; magnets may weaken over time. | More durable and resistant to weathering; long-lasting. |
| Appearance | Offers a more temporary or casual look due to ease of removal. | Provides a more traditional, professional appearance with long-term fixtures. |
| Cost | Generally more affordable due to simpler materials and design. | More expensive due to the quality of materials and installation process. |
FAQs on Garage Door Accessories
Decorative garage door hardware refers to the aesthetic elements added to a garage door to enhance its appearance, such as clavos (nail heads), pull handles, strap hinges, and other accent pieces. These elements are primarily for visual appeal, giving the door a more customized, vintage, or stylish look.
While some decorative hardware pieces can add functional value (such as pull handles for ease of opening), most elements like clavos and strap hinges are purely decorative. They are designed to enhance the aesthetic of your garage door and do not serve as structural or functional components.
Yes, decorative hardware can be installed on most garage doors. However, it is important to consider the material and style of your door to ensure compatibility. For example, wood doors typically work best with traditional hardware like strap hinges, while steel doors may require special adhesives or drilling for installation.
Some decorative hardware, such as magnetic clavos or handles, does not require drilling. However, items like pull handles or strap hinges generally require drilling to affix them securely to the door. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper installation to avoid damaging your door.
Choosing the right decorative hardware depends on the style and material of your garage door, as well as the look you want to achieve. For a traditional look, consider items like large pull handles, strap hinges, and rustic clavos. For a more modern or contemporary feel, look for sleek, minimalistic handles and accents. Always ensure the hardware complements the overall design of your home.
Yes, decorative hardware can be used on modern garage doors, though the style and design of the hardware should match the door's contemporary aesthetic. For example, sleek, minimalist hardware or hardware with modern finishes can complement modern steel or aluminum garage doors without overwhelming the design.
The best material for decorative garage door hardware depends on your climate and style preferences. Common materials include wrought iron, steel, and aluminum, which offer durability and rust resistance. For a more rustic look, bronze and copper accents may also be used, but these may require more maintenance to prevent tarnishing or corrosion.
The Bottom Line
Decorative garage door hardware is a simple and affordable way to enhance the visual appeal of your garage door and, by extension, the exterior of your entire house. However, it's not right for every garage door. Use the information and tips provided above to decide if decorative garage door hardware is a good choice for your home.
Choose Hardware & More in Our Online Door Designer
Use our online garage door designer tool to design a new garage door for your Colorado home - complete with your choice of customizable decorative hardware.DESIGN YOUR GARAGE DOOR
A Better Garage Door: Installers You Can Trust
If you would like some advice about decorative garage door hardware or you need garage door repair or fast and effective garage door installation, get in touch with the team at A Better Garage Door by calling us at (303) 920-2267.