Above: Clopay’s VertiStack Avante vertical stacking residential garage door earned both the 2025 Best in Show award and Best Window & Door Product at the International Builders’ Show. Photo courtesy of Clopay.
Beyond serving as storage for vehicles, holiday decorations, recreational gear and lawn and gardening equipment, a house’s garage traditionally served as a “catch-all” space for everything that didn’t have a place inside the home. As suburban homes and consumerism grew, so did the role of the garage as something more than a dedicated storage unit.
Garages became ideal spaces for hobbies, artistic pursuits, home gyms, game and playrooms, guest suites, “man caves” and “she sheds,” as well as a launchpad for innovation—Hewlett-Packard, Apple and Walt Disney’s first film studio all famously started their entrepreneurial endeavors in a garage.
With the rise of remote work, many people converted their garages into a dedicated home office away from the distractions of a busy household. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated garage use from niche ideas into mainstream living solutions.
Garage doors take center stage
Based on their versatility, it’s no wonder residential garages have evolved beyond a functional necessity to being a key element of a home’s environment and a reflection of a homeowner’s style. At this year’s International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, garage doors emerged as a prime feature of a home’s overall design, harmonizing with the overall aesthetics through a combination of advanced materials, seamless design and thoughtful color and hardware choices.
Entry door manufacturer Novatech and garage door manufacturer Garaga joined efforts on coordinating the style of a home’s largest door, the garage door. “It’s well past time that there’s a way to order both a front door and a garage door that feature a coordinated design that complements the style of the home,” says Tony East, vice president of sales and operations, Garaga.
“We anticipate builders and architects serving a sophisticated clientele will quickly adopt our new approach to door harmonization,” adds Robert Latour, vice president of sales at Novatech.
Featured in The New American Home 2025, Clopay’s VertiStack Avante vertical stacking residential garage door snagged both the 2025 Best in Show Winner and Best Window & Door Product at IBS, the first full garage door to win the top prize. The judges noted that the VertiStack Avante was a true innovation in a category that has seen limited change over the years. An aluminum and glass garage door that stacks panel sections on the wall above the opening, it features smart film technology that controls natural light and privacy in the garage by switching between clear and opaque glass.
Sleek simplicity
The most notable shift in garage door design is a move toward clean, simple lines. Gone are the overly ornate panels; in their place are sleek, flush or flat panels with uninterrupted lines that create a streamlined appearance that complements modern homes. Large window inserts or full glass panels introduce natural light to the garage interior and modernize the door’s appearance.
Decorative hardware—also embracing the trend toward simplicity—is helping garage doors harmonize with the overall look of the home. Long, sleek strap hinges that give off the appearance of a classic swing-out carriage house door, pull handles, ring pulls and faux latches, corner brackets, decorative plates and window grilles all give the garage door new life befitting its status as the largest opening in a home’s structure. Wrought iron hardware that looks hand-forged is especially popular right now, as well as powder-coated steel in matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, antique brass and brushed steel finishes.
Playing with color
While neutral colors like white, beige and gray remain popular, homeowners are embracing bold colors and unique finishes. Dark, moody shades like charcoal gray, matte black, espresso brown and even deep navy offer a modern aesthetic that stands out against neutral exteriors without overwhelming. And natural faux wood-look finishes, such as warm cedar, dark walnut, natural oak, carbon oak, driftwood and modern woodgrains, on steel doors are especially popular.
Materials matter
When it comes to modern garage door offerings, durability has met energy efficiency. Insulated garage doors are increasingly sought after for the energy efficiency benefits they provide such as temperature control and noise reduction.
Homeowners are also choosing materials to balance durability, maintenance and aesthetics.
Steel is the perennial favorite thanks to its strength, low upkeep and versatility in both finishes and insulation options. Faux wood and composite materials are a close second in terms of popularity for getting the rich look of wood without the warping, rot or staining. And finally, the mixed duo of aluminum and glass is gaining traction for contemporary garage doors as they bring in natural light with an updated, modern vibe.
Getting smart
Smart home technology continues to revolutionize everyday living. Some systems now feature biometric access such as fingerprint scanners, palm vein smart locks and AI-powered security cameras that monitor activity and alert you to anything unusual. And while most smart garage door technology is designed to be discreetly installed on the interior of the garage, there’s a growing trend of these smart features appearing on the external side of the garage door, integrated with the exterior hardware, including sensors built into hardware and integrated cameras and LED lighting.
