We love our new home, and one of the first major upgrades we prioritized was replacing the old, worn steel garage door with a contemporary Clopay Avante glass-and-aluminum garage door.
Replacing a garage door is one of the most cost-effective home improvements. According to Remodeling’s 2019 Cost vs. Value Report, homeowners recoup about 97.5% of the cost when replacing a garage door, making it a smart investment for improving curb appeal and value.
Our house dates from the 1940s and retains a traditional style, but our aim has been to introduce modern elements that complement—rather than erase—its original character.
We’ve long admired Clopay doors. After touring their factory in Troy, Ohio, we were impressed by the American craftsmanship and quality. It’s rare to find high-quality, domestically made home products these days, and we were glad to support that tradition.
Clopay Avante Garage Door
The Clopay Avante gave our home a clean, modern aesthetic that transformed the curb appeal immediately. Below is a before photo showing the painted steel door we replaced.
We considered the Clopay Canyon Ridge Modern line for its faux-wood look, but that style didn’t fit the vision we had for this house. While Canyon Ridge offers excellent insulation, the thermal performance wasn’t necessary for our mild southern California climate.
The Avante met our criteria: contemporary appearance, clean lines, and low visual weight. We’ve seen similar glass-and-aluminum doors on other traditional houses nearby and liked how they add a modern accent without overwhelming the original architecture.
Durability
At first we assumed glass-and-aluminum would be less durable than steel or composite options, but the Avante has proven to be rugged and reliable.
The commercial-grade 2 1/8” aluminum frame is thick and sturdy. During installation it was clear each panel was solid and that heavy-duty hardware was used throughout the assembly.
The tempered full-view glass is reassuringly robust. Since installation it’s handled everyday knocks—kids throwing balls, bikes bumping into it—without any issues.
Design Options
We selected white laminate (frosted) glass for privacy. The finish prevents daytime or nighttime views into the garage while allowing daylight to filter through, making the interior bright without compromising privacy.
Opening the door between the house and garage now reveals a pleasantly illuminated workspace; it’s far more enjoyable to work in the garage with natural light filling the space than to rely solely on overhead lighting.
Clopay offers the Avante in multiple finishes and configurations, so you can choose the look that best complements your home’s style.
Functionality
Our old steel door functioned, but it was noisy and required frequent maintenance—worn tracks and constant adjustments. When G & G Garage Doors installed the Avante, they replaced the tracks and added a new Liftmaster opener, which has made a huge difference.
The new dark, sturdy tracks blend in with the garage interior and provide smooth, reliable operation. We lubricate the joints and moving parts with silicone spray every other month to maintain that smooth action and prevent squeaks.
Liftmaster WLED Garage Door Opener
To match the upgraded door, we installed a Liftmaster WLED opener. It integrates well with the Clopay door and includes the features we wanted for convenience and security.
We set the opener to close automatically after five minutes when the door is left open. The safety sensors prevent closing if something is detected in the path.
The MYQ app lets us check the door’s status and open or close it remotely, which offers real peace of mind. The belt-drive system is nearly silent compared with our old chain-driven opener, and a built-in battery backup kept the door operating during a recent power outage.
Upgrade Your Door Today
The garage door occupies a large portion of our home’s front elevation, so updating it had a dramatic effect on curb appeal. This kind of upgrade improves daily life and is likely to pay dividends when it’s time to sell.
Modernizing a traditional home requires careful choices, but the Avante delivered an instant, impactful facelift that few other projects could match. If the Avante isn’t the right fit for your house, there are many other Clopay designs and materials to explore to match different architectural styles and preferences.
Long-Term Results After Three Years
We’ve lived with the Clopay Avante for three years now, and it has been trouble-free since installation. Several features have exceeded our expectations.
Durability: The aluminum frame and tempered glass remain solid and resilient. Daily life—occasional impacts from bikes and balls, plus extended sun exposure in southern California—hasn’t caused any problems.
Light and privacy: The frosted glass panes allow ample daylight into the garage during the day without compromising privacy, making the space more pleasant and functional.
Photos: Steve Makowski