admin All right, you have been searching years to find the ideal classic. Stored away, hunted all about, and at last discovered one that has never been butchered or left to rot. Perhaps you have done it yourself, or hired someone who has a clue. In any case, you now have a car worth good money, and it may well be more to you than that.
And where are you keeping it? Behind a 1987 garage door that has apparently been around the block?
The Real Reason Your Garage Door Counts.
Classic cars require adequate storage. Everyone knows that. However, what people tend to forget is that the door is not only as important as what is behind it.
Security is obvious. Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, your classic is worth. Others are priced higher than the house they are parked in. A low quality garage door with a loose lock is practically asking someone to give it a try.
Weather protection matters. The garage doors of today close well. The old ones have holes in them, where the rain comes in, where the dust flies in, where the damp creeps in. That is how rust begins even in cars that are allegedly kept inside.
The look of the thing. When you have a nice car and a nice house, it is spoiled by a tatty garage door. And when your insurance company comes round to inspect your security on a high-value classic, they will have something to say about that loose door with daylight peeking through the cracks.
Period-Appropriate Doors
This is where the interest comes in. Not all people desire a modern roller door on their house. Sometimes it just doesn’t fit.
An old place, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, a new industrial-looking door can be like a sore thumb. That is okay when you do not mind, but many classic car owners are mindful of that kind of thing.
Timber doors that are side-hinged are appropriate on older houses. Particularly when your house has those old fashioned garage doors that swing open, perhaps with a little window at the top. They may shine brightly when done right.
The issue is security. The old-fashioned side-hinged doors were not built with the contemporary security in mind. However, you can find new ones that appear traditional yet have correct locks, strengthened frames, and all the security features you require. They are not inexpensive PS2,000-4,000 will get you a good pair, but they do work.
Timber up-and-over doors may also operate. They may resemble carriage doors in front, but work like a regular up-and-over. Makes you look traditional without the need to fiddle with two large doors each time you want to take out your car.
Contemporary Security in Traditional Appeal.
The positive thing is that you no longer need to decide between security and style. Firms produce doors that are uniquely made to appear traditional but operate like contemporary doors.
I have encountered Georgian-style doors that have concealed electric motors. On the exterior, they appear to be 200 years old. However, when you press the remote, they open without any trouble and with all the security features you would expect.
You can have sectional doors that appear to be made of wood (when they are really insulated steel that is painted to appear like wood). Much safer, more insulated, less maintenance, but they look the part.
It is more costly than a simple door, but when you have a precious classic in your possession, it is worth the money to do it right.
What About Listed Buildings?
When your house is on the market, you may not be able to do much with the exterior. Does not imply that you are left with a door that is rubbish.
Replacement of like-for-like is generally acceptable to planning departments. So in case you have timber side-hinged doors, you can change them to new timber side-hinged doors. Only has to appear like it used to be.
Old stable blocks or coach houses contain some listed buildings with garages. Those usually contain conservation area regulations but not complete listing restrictions on the garage itself. It is worth asking your local planning office before you think that you can do nothing.
Worst case, though you may not be able to do anything about the outside look, you can typically replace locks, instal security bars on the inside, and otherwise make other modifications that do not affect the appearance of the house on the street.
Insulation: It is More Important Than You Think.
Classic cars can be parked months without operation. That is to say they are subjected to the temperature and humidity in your garage.
Temperature swings are bad. Metal expands and contracts. Seals perish. Condensation occurs where you cannot see it and begins rusting objects on the inside.
A garage door that is insulated is a difference. It will not make your garage a heated room, but it softens the edge. Keeps it not so cold in winter, keeps it not so hot in summer.
This is brilliant with insulated sectional or roller doors. They have foam cores, which offer a fair degree of insulation. When you want side-hinged timber doors, then you can have them with insulated cores, but you must request that – some are plain solid timber with no insulation whatsoever.
Humidity Control
This is what many people overlook. It is not only about temperature, but also about maintaining humidity.
An adequately closed garage door is a component of that equation. When you have holes that allow damp air to enter, you are batting against the wind. Even with a dehumidifier running, it cannot keep pace with the garage not being sealed.
New doors that have the correct rubber seals at the bottom and sides are a big difference. I replaced my garage door and the humidity in my garage was significantly reduced. My dehumidifier does not work as frequently, and more to the point, the car is drier.
Types That Work Well
In the case of classic car storage, the following actually works:
Sectional doors are most likely the all-rounder. Safe, insulated, seal well, does not occupy space either inside or outside the garage. They come in a myriad of finishes – Georgian, contemporary, whatever suits your house.
Roller doors are excellent in terms of security since they are locked at various points. Safer than up-and-over doors. However, they are very industrial and thus they do not fit every property. Okay, as long as you have a modern house or you do not mind about aesthetics.
Side-hinged doors are very stylish on the traditional houses and provide you with a versatile access (you can open only one door and walk in, or both doors to get the car out). The quality is everything to security – cheap ones are rubbish, good ones with proper locks are fine.
The cheap one is up-and-over doors. Security fine when you instal additional locks, but they are not as well-sealed as sectional doors and occupy ceiling space in the garage. I would not pick one of a high-value classic, but they are not bad.
Automation: Beneficial or Wasteful?
It depends on what you do with your car.
Automatic openers are genius in case you are going out with your classic on a regular basis. Push a button, door opens, you are gone. No escaping to open a heavy door.
However, when your vehicle spends months at a time parked and you only drive it on sunny Sundays, perhaps you do not need the cost.
Automatic doors are safer, however. They automatically lock when they are closed. You can look on your phone whether they are closed. There are systems that allow you to receive notifications when the door is opened when you are not at home.
In the case of high-value classics, that comfort may be worth it.
Windows: Yes or No?
There are garage doors with windows on the top. Lets light in, it brightens the garage.
But it also allows people to peep inside what you have.
I would not use the windows in case you have a good old one. There is no use advertising what is inside. Instead, get good lighting in the garage, LED strips are inexpensive and bright.
To have natural light, you can have frosted or obscured glass windows that cannot be viewed through clearly. However, in the case of classic car storage, I would simply go solid.
Colour and Finish
These days you can have garage doors in any colour you desire. Within reason.
The default is white and it suits most houses. Bit boring, but it works.
Black is intelligent on contemporary houses. A little heavy on older properties, can.
Wood effect is trendy as it appears cosy and classic. You may have good timber doors, or steel doors painted to resemble wood (which are more secure and less maintenance).
Coordinate your front door to make everything look coordinated. There are those who are concerned about that, and those who are not.
Whatever colour you choose, ensure it is not a colour that will date fast. You will be staring at this door 20+ years.
The Side Door Issue
The majority of garages possess a side door in addition to the main door. Convenient to enter without opening the entire garage.
But side doors are usually the weakest. Thieves know this. They will first use the side door since it is normally not visible and can be forced easily compared to the main door.
When you have a high-value classic, your side door must be as safe as your front door. Solid core, five lever lock, deadbolts, the works.
And do not leave it unlocked because the main garage door is locked. That defeats the whole point.
Maintenance Matters
Garage doors require maintenance, particularly when they are guarding something precious.
Wooden doors require painting or treatment after every few years. Send them away and they will rot, warp and be a liability to security.
Metal doors should be inspected on rust. Hinges need lubricating. Locks need maintaining.
Automatic openers should be serviced to ensure that they are functioning well and safely.
Allow an hour or two once a half-year to give everything a decent cheque-over. Less expensive than addressing issues in the future.
What About Multiple Cars?
You may need more than one car in case you are collecting seriously. That changes things.
The double garage doors are all right, but you open a large area each time you need to take out only one car. And large doors are more difficult to lock up.
Each car has its own door, which provides more flexibility. Get the MG out without exposing the Jag. But you must have the wall space to that.
Others have a single large sectional door to enter and exit cars, and a side door to enter, and perhaps even a second smaller door in the back, should the garage face their property. There are more points of access, which implies more security to consider.
Getting It Right
Cheque, when you have invested serious money and time in a classic car, do not save on the door that keeps it safe.
It does not necessarily have to be the most costly door available in the market, but it must be secure, well sealed and suitable to your property.
Consider your car usage. How often you access it. What protection your insurance requires. What will suit your house.
Then locate a door that cheques those boxes. And should that cost PS3,000 to get a good door rather than PS800 to get a bad one, then do it. Your classic is worth it.
Since the purpose of owning a nice car is to enjoy it, it does not matter whether it is safe to leave it overnight.