Designing with style: enhancing curb appeal with automatic garage doors & gates

Automatic garage doors and gates are no longer mere functional elements of a property; they have evolved into crucial components of a home's overall aesthetic. They significantly contribute to the curb appeal, making a striking first impression and can be a key element in the function of a home. Due to this, when selecting a door or gate the variety of choices and considerations are vast. 

We spoke with MAVA Automatic Garage Doors & Gates director Matt Shilton to understand how garage doors and gates can transform the look of a property while meeting practical needs. 

The process of choosing a garage door

Shilton says the function of garage doors has changed. “A garage door can make up to 50% of a home’s street frontage on narrow residential lots and is often one of the most used doors in the home – a lot of the time being used as a main entry. We now see a huge shift from a garage door not only serving as mere functionality, it has become a necessary aesthetic aspect of the home.”    

The process of selecting a door or gate starts with understanding clients' functional requirements. Things such as: 

• Clear opening heights – to ensure vehicles and openings meet the requirements of the client
• Operation of the door – there are a number of ways the doors are able to operate, from opening up into the ceiling, out into the driveway, or sliding.
• How the garage space will be used – is it purely for vehicle storage, or a gym or office?
• Spatial requirements – where do clients want the door to finish when it's in the up position? Under the ceiling, opening outwards or in a barn style against the walls?

 Following on from functional considerations are aesthetic requirements:

• Flush or sit behind: Does the door need to integrate into the façade to create a seamless/hidden look?
• Cladding type: What does the client want the door to look like?
• Door type: Sectional /tilt/sliding?
• Thermal and sustainability considerations
• Bushfire attach level (BAL) rating requirements

Integrating a garage door into your home’s aesthetic

Clients don’t have to choose function over form when it comes to selecting a garage door.

“All our products are carefully curated to ensure our client's functionality requirements are met alongside any aesthetic needs. As a fully custom manufacturer – our only limitations are our customers' imaginations and desires,” shares Shilton. 

To ensure that automatic garage doors and gates integrate seamlessly with the architectural style of a home or building, Shilton always recommends using a designer or architect to help tie all design aspects of the home together. 

“We no longer think of garage doors and gates as an afterthought on a building – they are critical to the overall aesthetic of the home; lots of clients choose a matching garage door and gate to ensure the entire property gels and integrates together.” 

For customers looking to modernise their garage door to the existing home, colour tones and selections have the biggest impact on the overall look, shares Shilton. 

“Natural finishes and colours blend seamlessly to almost any style of home. A garage door can be bold and stand out or subtle and seamless depending on how you want your home to look.”

Selecting the right material for your garage door impacts on its look, function and longevity.

“As the old saying goes – you get what you pay for. We recommend and work with material manufacturers that we see as meeting the balance of quality and value,” shares Shilton. “We want our doors and gates to be the envy of everyone on your street, which is why we partner and work closely with brands such as Alspec Aluminium, Knotwood, Modinex and Axolotl.”

MAVA’s most popular door design is the Slat Series, which is primarily made using aluminium battens. This can be supplied as a timber-look batten, through Mava’s partnership with Knotwood.

An alternative option is the Profile Series, which provides the slat and backing in one solid piece, “however, this provides limitations in customising backing colours or spacing requirements.”

The finish is as critical as the material choice in ensuring a successful outcome, shares Shilton. “We work closely with clients to help select and choose the right material and finish for their project.”

All of MAVA’s slat series doors are installed with a Fire Retardant Composite backing and individually installed aluminium battens, allowing clients full flexibility in designing the spacings or gaps between each batten.

Automation & security 

Choosing the right automation is an important factor when it comes to garage doors and gates. Ensuring sufficient safety and security features are included, along with the ability integrate into other home automation systems all need to be considered at the outset. 

 “Security and safety are two major factors of a door and gate that is an unfortunate reality of the world we live in today,” says Shilton. “MAVA works with leading automation brands to ensure our doors are installed with industry-leading safety and security accessories.” 

These include smart phone integration and integration with the home's security/access control system; and automated locks and deadbolts that operate in conjunction with the motor, providing homeowners peace of mind. Wireless Photocell beams are another safety feature that ensures any vehicles, pets or children remain safe when the door is in operation.

 “The best part is all these features integrate into our doors without interfering with the aesthetics!”

Explore automatic garage doors and gates from MAVA