Choosing a garage door for a character home

Kitsilano and the wider West Side are full of beautiful heritage and character homes — 1910s and 1920s craftsman houses, Tudors in Dunbar, and period homes near Jericho. The wrong garage door can undermine all that charm; the right one completes it.

Match the era, not just the colour

Carriage-style doors, with their panelled detailing and optional decorative hardware, suit craftsman and traditional homes beautifully. For a more restrained heritage look, a recessed-panel door in a soft, muted colour reads as authentic without trying too hard.

Wood vs. wood-look

Real cedar is gorgeous and quintessentially West Coast, but near the water it needs regular maintenance to stay that way. If you love the look but not the upkeep, modern faux-wood steel and composite doors are remarkably convincing and shrug off the coastal damp.

Don't forget the practical bits

• Insulation — worthwhile if the garage is attached or used as a studio.
• Glazing — a row of windows adds light and period character.
• Hardware finish — choose corrosion-resistant fittings for coastal exposure.
• Proportions — the door should suit the home's scale and the original opening.

We bring physical samples to your home so you can see finishes against your actual cladding and trim, then handle the measuring and fitting. The result should look like it always belonged there.

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