Moving into a new home is an exciting chapter, full of possibilities for personalization and improvement. For us, one of the very first and most significant upgrades on our list was replacing the outdated, worn-out steel garage door. We envisioned a dramatic transformation that would not only enhance our home’s curb appeal but also introduce a touch of modern elegance. Our choice? A stunning new Clopay Avante glass and aluminum garage door, a decision that proved to be a cornerstone in our home’s revitalization.
The strategic importance of a garage door replacement in home renovation cannot be overstated. According to Remodeling Magazine’s highly regarded 2019 Cost vs. Value Report, replacing a garage door consistently yields one of the highest returns on investment among all remodeling projects, boasting an impressive cost recouped percentage of 97.5%. This compelling statistic makes considering a garage door upgrade an absolute no-brainer for any homeowner looking to boost their property value and appeal, especially if their existing door is showing signs of age or wear.
Our home, a charming structure built in the 1940s, embodies a traditional architectural style. Our overarching goal for this property is to thoughtfully modernize it, integrating contemporary elements while meticulously preserving its inherent character and historical charm. This delicate balance guided every design decision, ensuring that any upgrade would feel cohesive and enhance, rather than detract from, the home’s original essence.
Our affinity for Clopay garage doors is well-established, rooted in a memorable experience we had years ago. We were fortunate enough to take a factory tour at their facility in Troy, Ohio. The visit left us profoundly impressed by the exceptional American craftsmanship and the palpable pride evident in every product they manufacture. In an era where domestically produced goods for homes are increasingly rare, supporting a company like Clopay, which champions American ingenuity and quality, is something we deeply value and are grateful to do.
Discovering the Clopay Avante Garage Door: A Modern Marvel
The moment the Clopay Avante door was installed, our home’s curb appeal underwent an instant, dramatic transformation. The sleek lines and contemporary design of the Avante series bestowed upon our traditional 1940s residence a chic, modern aesthetic that perfectly aligned with our vision. To truly appreciate this striking change, it’s helpful to see a “before” photo, capturing the appearance of our painted steel door prior to the upgrade.
Initially, our attention was captured by the sophisticated faux-wood aesthetic of the Clopay Canyon Ridge Modern line. These doors offer a compelling blend of rustic charm and contemporary design, coupled with excellent insulation properties. However, upon deeper consideration, we realized that while beautiful, the wood-grain look didn’t quite harmonize with the specific modern-meets-traditional aesthetic we were striving for in our home. Furthermore, living in the temperate climate of Southern California, the advanced insulation features of the Canyon Ridge doors, while impressive, weren’t a critical necessity for us.
The Clopay Avante door, with its distinctive glass and aluminum construction, ultimately ticked every box on our checklist. We had previously admired similar glass and aluminum doors on several other traditional homes in our neighborhood, noting how effectively they infused a contemporary touch without overwhelming the existing architecture. The Avante line offered that perfect balance, allowing our home to embrace a fresh, modern identity while respecting its historical roots. It’s a testament to Clopay’s diverse design capabilities that they offer solutions tailored to such a wide range of aesthetic preferences and architectural styles.
Unmatched Durability and Robust Construction
When we first considered a glass and aluminum door, we admit to having a slight misconception: we mistakenly thought it might be less durable than its steel or composite wood counterparts. However, our experience with the Avante has completely dispelled this notion. We’ve discovered the Avante to be exceptionally robust and built to withstand the rigors of daily life.
The foundation of this impressive durability lies in its construction: a low-maintenance, 2 ⅛-inch commercial-grade aluminum frame. This frame is notably thick and incredibly sturdy, providing a solid backbone for the entire door. During the installation process, we had the opportunity to observe firsthand the inherent strength of each individual panel and the heavy-duty hardware meticulously used to assemble the complete system. This attention to detail in material selection and assembly inspires great confidence in the door’s longevity.
Equally impressive is the choice of glass: tempered, full-view panels. Tempered glass is renowned for its strength and safety properties, being significantly more resistant to breakage than standard glass. Should it ever break, it shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards, significantly reducing the risk of injury. We have absolutely no concerns about these solid glass panels ever cracking or breaking under normal circumstances. In fact, since its installation, the door has already endured a fair share of typical household abuse—from energetic kids accidentally throwing balls against it to the occasional bump from a bicycle—and it has handled every incident without so much as a scratch or a structural issue. This real-world resilience is a testament to the Avante’s superior construction and durability.
Elegant Design Options and Functional Privacy
One of the brilliant design choices we made for our Clopay Avante door was opting for white laminate glass. This selection expertly addresses any potential concerns regarding privacy, a common consideration with full-view glass doors. Whether it’s the bright light of day or the darkness of night, the opaque nature of the white laminate ensures that no one can see inside our garage, maintaining a secure and private space. However, the true genius of this choice lies in its dual benefit: while providing complete privacy, it simultaneously bathes our garage interior in abundant natural light throughout the day.
The transformation inside the garage is truly dramatic. Opening our interior door to the garage now reveals a space filled with soft, diffused light, making it a far more inviting and pleasant environment. This natural illumination has made working in the garage, even with the door closed, significantly more comfortable and efficient, eliminating the previous dependency on an overhead light. It’s a subtle yet impactful enhancement to our daily living.
Clopay understands that personal preferences vary widely, which is why the Avante series is available in a diverse range of different colors and design configurations. This allows homeowners to customize their door to perfectly complement their home’s architectural style and their individual aesthetic tastes, ensuring a seamless and personalized integration.
Enhanced Functionality and Smooth Operation
Our previous garage door was a standard steel model that, while functional, left much to be desired in terms of performance. It was notoriously loud during operation, producing jarring noises every time it opened or closed. Furthermore, its flimsy tracks constantly required attention and maintenance, leading to an overall subpar user experience. The upgrade to the Clopay Avante was not just about aesthetics; it was a comprehensive improvement in functionality.
The installation, expertly handled by G & G Garage Doors, was thorough and meticulous. They not only installed our beautiful new Clopay door but also completely replaced the old, worn-out tracks with a brand new, robust system. Alongside this, they installed a new Liftmaster opener, which has proven to be an absolutely fantastic addition, significantly elevating the door’s performance and our daily convenience.
The new tracks are solid, sturdy, and finished in an elegant black, which blends seamlessly with the dark wood interior of our garage, contributing to a more refined and cohesive look. To maintain the smooth, silent action of the door and prevent any potential squeaks or squeals, we make it a point to spray the joints and all moving parts with a high-quality silicone lubricant every other month. This simple, routine maintenance ensures that our Clopay Avante door operates as flawlessly and quietly as the day it was installed.
The Advanced Liftmaster WLED Garage Door Opener
Given our significant investment in an upgraded garage door, it was only logical to pair it with a state-of-the-art opener that could match its superior performance. The Liftmaster WLED opener quickly emerged as the ideal choice, boasting all the features we desired and demonstrating exceptional compatibility with Clopay doors.
One of its most appreciated features is the customizable automatic close function. Knowing that our son sometimes forgets to close the door, we’ve set the Liftmaster to automatically close after 5 minutes. This provides immense peace of mind, eliminating worries about leaving the garage inadvertently open. Crucially, this system is equipped with advanced safety sensors, ensuring that the door will never close if it detects an obstruction in its path, prioritizing safety above all else.
The integrated MYQ app offers unparalleled control and connectivity. We can remotely check the status of the garage door from anywhere, ensuring it’s closed, and even open or close it with a simple tap on our smartphone. This smart functionality is incredibly convenient and significantly enhances our home’s security and our peace of mind.
The Liftmaster WLED’s belt drive system is a marvel of engineering. It operates with remarkable quietness, a stark contrast to our old, noisy chain-driven Genie opener. This whisper-quiet operation is a luxury we now deeply appreciate, especially during early mornings or late evenings. Another invaluable feature is the integrated battery backup. We’ve already had occasion to use it during a power outage, demonstrating its reliability and ensuring access to our garage even when the electricity fails.
Transform Your Home: Upgrade Your Garage Door Today
For our home, the garage door constitutes nearly 40% of the front façade, making it a dominant visual element. Consequently, this upgrade to the Clopay Avante has made an undeniably dramatic difference to our home’s curb appeal. The immediate aesthetic enhancement is undeniable, elevating the overall impression of our property. Beyond the instant visual impact, we are confident that this smart investment will continue to pay dividends, both in the enjoyment we derive from our modernized home and in its increased market value should we decide to sell in the future.
While we continue to embrace the ongoing journey of modernizing our traditional home, the installation of the Clopay Avante door provided an immediate, impactful facelift. It achieved a level of aesthetic transformation and functional improvement that no other single home improvement project could have delivered so swiftly and effectively. It perfectly encapsulates our vision of blending classic charm with contemporary design.
If the sleek and modern aesthetic of the Avante doesn’t quite align with your personal style or home architecture, we strongly encourage you to explore the extensive range of garage door designs offered by Clopay. With their vast selection of materials, styles, and customization options, Clopay undoubtedly has the perfect door to complement every house style and satisfy every individual preference, ensuring your home makes the best possible first impression.
Long-Term Clopay Avante Garage Door Test Results: Three Years On
It has now been three years since our Clopay Avante garage door was expertly installed, and we are thrilled to report that it has remained completely trouble-free since day one. This long-term performance test has only solidified our initial impressions and highlighted certain features we didn’t fully appreciate at the time of installation.
Its durability truly stands out. The combination of the robust aluminum frame and the tempered glass construction is incredibly thick and strong. Our home is a lively one, and the garage door has withstood its share of everyday challenges—from bikes accidentally bumping against it to enthusiastic kids unknowingly hitting balls against its surface. These common household occurrences, which might compromise lesser doors, have left our Avante door completely unfazed. Furthermore, it has effortlessly withstood the intense heat of Southern California summers, never faltering in its performance or showing any signs of wear due to extreme temperatures.
The frosted glass panes continue to be a fantastic feature that we appreciate daily. The ability to illuminate the entire garage interior with natural daylight, eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day, is incredibly convenient and energy-efficient. This diffused light creates a bright, welcoming workspace. Crucially, the frosted finish provides complete privacy, meaning I have zero worries about anyone being able to see inside my garage, ensuring both comfort and safety.
Photos by Steve Makowski