When you're choosing a garage door, there are plenty of things to consider, but one of the most important is what colour you'll go for. With many garage door manufacturers, you'll have the opportunity to choose between plenty of colour options, so it can be tempting to go for a more vibrant colour.

However, there are several things to consider before you make that decision.  Though going with a more vibrant colour might sound nice, there are actually more than a few reasons why you should choose to stick with a lighter colour, such as beige or white.

Cool to the touch

Probably the most compelling reason to choose a lighter garage door colour over a more vibrant one is that lighter colours are much better at reflecting heat. In contrast, darker shades retain heat. With many parts of the country getting plenty of sunshine throughout the year, this is clearly going to be an important issue.

Firstly, excessive heat can cause the metal of your garage door to swell during the day and then contract during the night as things cool off, and that stress can cause damage to occur, especially when the garage door is rolled up while the metal has swelled. Additionally, the fact that lighter colours will reflect heat away from the garage door means that the interior of the garage will not get as hot, which will be particularly nice if you plan to work or hang out in your garage during the day.

Scratches show less easily

Lighter garage doors also tend to be better from a maintenance point of view. Unfortunately, it can be tough to cover up any scratches without removing the entire door, so it makes sense to go with a lighter colour since scratches will not show up as easily. When you opt for a more vibrant or darker shade, any damage is going to show up clearly, so you'll be more likely to have to pay for a repair.

Homelier exterior

Ultimately, a lighter coloured garage door is just more open and inviting. It's worth remembering that this is going to be one of the first things people see when they visit your home.  A more vibrant colour might sound like a cool idea, but the novelty can wear off fast, especially when you come to try to sell the home. A white or beige garage door will fit in rather than stand out, and that can be a real boon when dealing with the exterior of a property.