GARAGE DOOR TRENDS FOR 2025
Written by Lawrence Cummer
Garages have evolved greatly in use over recent decades, shifting from their mainstay use as carports to in-law suites, workshops, home theatres and more. As the garage continues to be seen as an extension of the home, the role overhead garage doors play on performance and curb appeal has grown.
Overhead garage doors have been in use for more than a century, but for much of that time functionality was the only consideration; however, focus on aesthetics has increased in recent years.
While most new home builders continue to choose old-standard looks, this is not true of custom builds or remodeling projects.
Photo courtesy of Direct Overhead Door Supply
“The new home builder will always pick the least expensive option, of course,” says Tony Hedley, National Manager of Retail Building Centers and Alberta Regional Manager at Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd.
“What we’re seeing more and more, at least with custom builders is they want a designer
look at the front of the house with the garage door. It covers at least one-third of the front of the house, so whites and beiges don’t work very much anymore.”
He says overhead door vendors like Steel-Craft are introducing colours and profiles to meet this demand for designer aesthetics.
Photo courtesy of Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd
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Erick Rocheleau, Vice President of Sales at Garaga, echoes the sentiment: “We see more and more colour doors on new construction. The time of white doors or faux-wood doors people painted themselves is over. In remodeling, changing a garage door is one of the best ROI in the housing market.”
Melissa Scocco, Business Development Manager at Upwardor Inc., says the trends to watch in the year ahead are minimalist designs, a modern look, insulated doors, a demand for sustainable materials and smart technology.
She says natural wood finishes that highlight grain and texture and textured surfaces such as ribbed or embossed patterns are on the aesthetic upswing.
Photo courtesy of Upwardor Inc.
OLD IS NEW AGAIN
One popular design trend for garage doors in 2025 is one popular 20 to 30 years ago: overlay panels. Rocheleau says overlays and inlays add charm and make a refined statement.
Hedley says his company has released a line it calls Artisan to meet this comeback trend. It gives the customer that barnwood-like overlay look they crave. “We’re seeing huge demand.”
Photo courtesy of Garaga
COLOUR MY WORLD
The garage door can take up a lot of real estate on a home’s façade. With that in mind, homeowners are increasingly looking to make it ‘pop.’ Of course, colour is one of the easiest ways to do that.
Nearly every manufacturer has a selection of colours, although each has their nuanced
varieties, notes Ben DeRegt, owner of wholesale distributor Direct Overhead Door Supply of Central Alberta. His company provides a variety of pre-applied colours with high availability.
“It wasn’t long ago that it was all just short white panels, now colour is the opportunity,” DeRegt says.
Photo courtesy of Direct Overhead Door Supply
BLACK AND DARKER COLOURS
Like the rest of the home, dark colours are on trend for 2025, Rocheleau adds. “Dark colours are still very trendy, alongside classic choices like white, beige and sand.”
Of course, one of the drivers for darker colours is to match the existing trim or siding, which has been trending darker in recent years. Rocheleau
notes that Garaga matches the entry door, siding and flashing designs and colours as needed.
Steel-Craft matches colours in-plant to the homeowner’s direction, including two-tone options or more. “All the people have to do is give us the colour name, number and manufacturer and we can get that paint and put it right on the door for them,” Hedley says.
Photo courtesy of Garaga
He says that black has become very popular, adding that it’s the second most popular choice in Eastern Canada and the Maritimes. Since black absorbs heat, Steel-Craft has developed a charcoal door that uses new technology to remain cool and avoid warping.
“People like those darker colours but they need to understand that darker colours can come with some issues.”
LOVE FOR NATURAL LIGHT
Natural light makes people happier and healthier, so it may be no surprise that it’s one of the major garage door design trends of 2025 in residential projects, Rocheleau says. “Garage doors with windows enhance natural light and ambiance.”
Interest in garage door windows or glass inserts has been on the rise for the past few years and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down.
Photo courtesy of Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd
“We’re seeing more and more requests for glass; vertically stacked glass panels on one side is a trend now,” DeRegt confirms.
“The good thing about a window is, it doesn’t matter what you want or where you want it, we can do it.” Of course, the addition of glass panels must be carefully considered.
Depending on the climate, framing and thermal bridging, glass can impact performance of insulated garage doors.
INSULATION AND PERFORMANCE
While design options are on the upswing, performance remains vital. This is especially true for heat transfer as rising energy prices and concerns around environmental sustainability raise an important demand for efficiency.
“Insulated garage doors are increasingly popular,” Scocco says. “They help maintain temperature control and reduce costs.”
DeRegt points to changing energy codes requiring higher R-values as a key motivator, noting that his company’s doors, which use a unique tongue-in-groove system to create airtightness, all have R-values of 17.
Photo courtesy of Direct Overhead Door Supply
Photo courtesy of Upwardor Inc.
Rocheleau says his company’s Acadia R-12 garage doors and Standard+ R-16 garage doors are among the company’s top sellers, adding that the latter is “ideal for premium projects, offering superior insulation, even more design options, and the same local (Barrie, Ontario, and St-Georges, Quebec) manufacturing quality.”
For situations where high insulation isn’t critical, such as detached garages or projects in seasoned weather, he says his company’s line-up of doors that are insulated with polystyrene or are not insulated at all are popular.
Photo courtesy of Garaga
SIMPLE AND SMART INNOVATIONS
Improved heat transfer isn’t the only area where innovation has occurred in recent years. Steel-Craft has released doors using a new symmetrical track system for faster and simpler installation, greater flexibility in headroom and more.
For contractors, the system can save about 30 minutes per door install. “I know an installer who had an 80-day project, and using the symmetrical track saved a day and a half,” Hedley says.
Not surprisingly, smart capabilities are gaining popularity, according to Scocco. She says homeowners are looking for seamless integration into their existing smart home systems.
“Garage doors are increasingly designed to work seamlessly with other smart home devices, allowing for coordinate control of home security, lighting and climate.”
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
There are a few key considerations homeowners and the contractors helping serve them should consider.
DeRegt points to the importance of energy efficiency, availability and strength and durability, while Scocco reminds contractors to consider quiet operations, aesthetic choices like colours, finishes and design, and energy efficiency.
Hedley points to a consideration that Canadian homeowners are likely taking more seriously in recent months.
“Our motto is to try and buy local. Buy the right door for what you’re doing, and spend the few hundred dollars more if needed. For example, a detached garage that’s insulated should always have an insulated garage door.”
The market for garage doors in 2025 looks like it will be mixed, with some regions seeing high demand while others are flatter. However, Scocco expects it to be an exciting time for the category.
“The garage door industry is set to see exciting developments in 2025, driven by technology, sustainability, and aesthetic preferences. Whether you’re looking for smart features, energy efficiency, or bold designs, there’s a garage door trend that can meet your needs.” —
Photo courtesy of Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd
Photo courtesy of Direct Overhead Door Supply
Photo courtesy of Upwardor Inc.
LET THERE BE (MORE) LIGHT
It’s all about the view as consumers opt for bigger and bolder window and exterior door designs.
Written by Lisa Gordon
In 2024, outdoor residential design trends emphasized unobstructed views, with more glass panels and thinner profile rail systems on decks, for example.
This year, residential windows and doors are heading in the same direction, with a number of manufacturers and distributors confirming
that today’s consumers want bigger, more energy efficient windows and exterior doors, with a variety of colour and casing options. Here, Contractor Advantage connects with those companies to learn more about what is driving the 2025 residential window and exterior door markets.
Photo courtesy of Extreme Window and Entrance Systems
GENTEK BUILDING PRODUCTS INC.
Eric Peloquin, National Retail Sales Manager at Gentek Building Products Inc., has spent the past 11 years with the window and door manufacturer/supplier, headquartered in Burlington, Ont. With three manufacturing plants and 22 locations across Canada, Peloquin is tuned in to cross-country trends.
He sees dark-coloured exterior doors and window frames continuing to be popular with consumers – and not only on the outside, but on the inside, too. Consumers are increasingly opting for black interior window trim surfaces to match the popular outside colour.
“We started offering black as a painted option on the inside a couple of years ago, and we are seeing more and more requests for it,” observed Peloquin.
Window size is also trending. It appears that more glass is better as people look to let more light into their homes while having an unobstructed view of the outdoors. Peloquin said Gentek has responded by adapting its “construction capabilities to respond to that”, adding that “some of the glass packages can cut down on solar heat gain.”
Photo courtesy of Gentek Building Products Inc.
Although vinyl is still the most popular material for window frame construction, the exterior door market is seeing a rise in fibreglass, according to Peloquin. It offers the look of wood in a variety of colours, with lower maintenance and initial costs compared to steel doors.
Garden-style patio doors are also gaining traction over traditional sliding patio doors. Peloquin explained that a garden-style door is a two-piece steel door, where typically one of the doors is fixed and the other opens up. “We are seeing a bit of a switch there from sliding doors,” he commented.
He pointed to another rising trend, the application of brickmould around window exteriors. Similar to a picture frame, brickmould offers a decorative trim to fill the gap between the window and the home’s exterior surface (stone, siding, etc.), creating an aesthetically pleasing finish. Gentek has offered PVC trim to finish off the outside of a window for a while, but there is a new option.
“We are seeing more full-frame replacements, where consumers are opting to use brickmould,” said Peloquin.
ALLIANCE DOOR PRODUCTS
Ready to install exterior doors are popular with today’s consumers, offered Kris Kowal, Business Development Manager - Exteriors at Alliance Door Products. The distributor of interior and exterior finishing supplies operates five locations across Canada.
“We offer interior and exterior door systems, right through to hardware and millwork,” Kowal explained.
The company’s Traditions Program includes ready to install single exterior doors, patio and garden doors, as well as combo door systems that are popular in northern markets.
Kowal said many finish options are available, with “Shaker-style, flat panel fibreglass options on trend with that modern farmhouse look, replacing the old six-panel door look.”
When it comes to the ready to install market, Kowal said consumers do not want to wait weeks for stock to arrive. They want to get their projects finished. Availability is the driver in the market, as it not only satisfies the renovator, but also new home construction, and there are more design options available.
“We are now seeing one panel Shakers, the Craftsman style, and two-panel square top looks available in ready to install options.”
He did note that for new home builds, contractors and homeowners alike may be willing to wait for a customized main entrance door, as it has become an important design feature, but the rest of the home’s door selections are often based on whatever is available.
Exterior door construction trends are often regional, explained Kowal. For example, the West
Coast heavily favours fibreglass exterior doors, where in provinces like Ontario, steel has the larger market share. Regardless of region, larger glass, flush panel doors are sought after. “Simple is key,” he remarked.
Due to the popularity of the ready to install market, Kowal said Alliance plans to continue expanding its design options. Consumers are increasingly concerned about energy efficiency, and they are also looking for CPQ (configure, price, quote) virtual tools. Kowal said Alliance has received a lot of positive feedback on this software, as it allows dealer-level users to design, configure and quote door options directly to consumers.
“Dealers who are going to virtual tools for quoting and ordering have definitely streamlined a lot of their processes,” he concluded.
Photos courtesy of Alliance Door Products
EXTREME WINDOW AND ENTRANCE SYSTEMS
Extreme Window and Entrance Systems has been serving Atlantic Canada since 2001. The company’s 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Moncton, N.B., is currently being expanded by 20,000 sq. ft. With an additional distribution centre in Newfoundland, the company is heavily focused on “making sure we meet the certifications required for our climate here in Atlantic Canada,” said Darren Bannister, President.
When it comes to colour schemes for windows and doors, Bannister said “colours are still dominant,
with black being the new white.” Black is now trending on the indoor side of window systems, he confirmed. As well, consumers are purchasing higher value, more energy efficient products.
The increased demand for quality and efficiency is being driven by consumers’ desire for larger window openings that incorporate doors and windows into the contemporary design of their homes, declared Bannister. “The trend is toward bigger openings with more technical glazing packages.” He feels the larger window openings help to accentuate modern home design.
Photos courtesy of Extreme Window and Entrance Systems
Regional trends are in evidence on the East Coast, too. Atlantic Canada has a lot of coastal ground and consumers want to bring the outside in, with as much view as possible. Bannister noted that the ability to provide oversized windows and patio doors is influencing a large part of the market. Extreme’s aluminum hybrid system is an example, with “a PVC core that basically creates a thermal break and makes the product more energy efficient.”
The structural capabilities of an aluminum hybrid system allow for much larger openings, he explained. “These bigger frame systems allow us to facilitate some of these bigger opening requests, which can even be used for light commercial projects.”
Bannister said his company is the only fabricator in Eastern Canada that produces an oversized sliding patio door system, which is growing in popularity. “The door sizes are going up to a maximum of 20 feet in width and eight feet high,” he concluded.
CORNERSTONE BUILDING BRANDS
“In 2023, the Canadian window and door market was valued at $4.3 billion, with windows accounting for 78 percent of demand—a testament to the essential role our products play in this expanding sector,” said Kim Willins, Director of Retail Sales & Distribution for Cornerstone Building Brands. Ply Gem Canada and North Star Windows and Doors are two of the manufacturers under the umbrella of the coast-to-coast supplier.
Vinyl windows are still leading in popularity and account for 60 percent of the market, she noted, adding that consumers are attracted to their performance, durability and low-maintenance design.
With style and design options on the minds of homeowners, Willins said Cornerstone’s Ply Gem Comfort Series vinyl windows and North Star 1000 Series windows offer customizable frame colours and styles, making them ideal for modern and contemporary homes.
Fibreglass entry doors offer exceptional durability, weather resistance and design versatility. A range of woodgrain finishes and paintable surfaces enhance their appeal to contractors and homeowners alike.
“Fibreglass leads in growth, outpacing steel and wood alternatives. Pre-hung systems are also gaining traction for their ease of installation.”
Photos courtesy of Cornerstone Building Brands - North Star Windows and Doors
Willins sees energy efficiency, minimalist aesthetics and smart home integration as trends that are shaping homeowner preferences. Sleek frames and expansive glass areas are highly sought after. Features like automated privacy settings, enhanced security and connectivity options are increasingly popular, particularly in urban markets.
Generally, there is a demand for larger window sizes without sacrificing energy efficiency or performance.
Ply Gem Comfort Advanced Slider Windows is a high-performance option, engineered to meet strict energy efficiency standards and to accommodate larger sizes of up to 6x6 and 7x4 feet, offering unmatched design flexibility without sacrificing performance.
North Star has launched ULTRASTAR™ windows, the first of their kind in North America, featuring ULTRASTAR™ co-extruded reinforcements that combine virgin vinyl PVC with 55 percent fibreglass content. This advanced design eliminates the need for metal reinforcement, resulting in a lightweight yet durable profile with enhanced stiffness and stability.
Willins stated that customization is becoming increasingly important to homeowners. “Repair and renovation activity is driving 73 percent of market demand,” she said, adding that homeowners and contractors are focused on high-performing products that are easy to install.
Willins predicted continued investment in home improvement. “The Canadian market is expected to grow by 2.1 percent annually, with exterior doors leading at 3.3 percent.”
Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Building Brands - Ply Gem Canada
JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, a North American window and door manufacturer/supplier, is turning 65 in 2025. The company has four manufacturing sites and one assembly facility in Canada.
James McKay, Product Program Manager, Canada, confirmed that a minimalist design is still trending. In terms of popular styles for entrance doors and windows, he said “Full-light doors that have one vertically orientated single opaque glass panel and casement windows are what we are seeing in demand.”
The more glass the better, McKay told Contractor Advantage. Windows with slimmer profiles allowing more access to daylight while maintaining energy efficiency is on the consumer want list. “Our 8500 series windows, that we launched just over a year ago, do just that and have become very popular.”
JELD-WEN is adding more options and styles to that line, with a commitment to energy efficiency, in order to expand the breadth of the product portfolio.
Photos courtesy of JELD-WEN
“Dark finishes remain very popular on windows, especially black,” added McKay.
As for entrances, homeowners are looking to make a statement – and a lot of people are using the front exterior door to do it, McKay observed. Many new homes or homes undergoing major renovations (or tear-downs) are installing larger doors, with “eight-foot height entrance doors becoming very popular.”
Fibreglass doors are gaining in popularity, but decorative ornate glass inserts have really
tapered off and are being replaced with clean opaque glass. The addition of sidelites to door systems is catching the eye of consumers. Sidelites are fixed windows attached to the side of the entry door. People are looking to match sidelight style with their door design, with opaque glass being the main choice here, too.
With darker colours remaining on trend for both windows and doors, vinyl windows are still the most popular. McKay reiterated that larger window sizes are highly sought after, along with an increased focus on energy efficiency.
Photo
KOHLTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Kohltech International Ltd. began operations in Debert, N.S., over 40 years ago. Sheldon Penman, Director of Western Sales, said, “Kohltech is one of the few national window and door manufacturers across Canada. We sell in every province and two territories.”
Penman agreed that when it comes to windows, consumers want more glass for greater visibility. Colour is also very popular, with black being the most prominent choice. Kohltech offers 30 colour choices, with 10 of those inspired by Canadian geographical locations. “These include Rocky Mountain Rust and Saskatoon Summer, which follows our tagline of ‘Canadian Crafted, Locally Loved,’” he said.
Consumers are also opting for more colour on their entrance doors, noted Penman. Black is still leading the charge, but people are getting bolder with colour for the entranceway. Lite kits – glass inserts in a door – are also seeing a surge in popularity in door systems. “It’s the colour, but also the lite kits,” said Penman.
There are many different options for lite kits, but larger sidelites are trending, he explained. Consumers can choose from many different designs, from the size of the glass to whether
they want it to be clear or opaque, with the latter being more popular.
“It’s not the standard door anymore; people want to customize the exterior of their homes, and they are using colours that make the house pop,” Penman observed.
In order to accommodate larger glass sizes, he said there needs to be more reinforcement in the construction. The weight is quite substantial when going from double- to triple-glazed, and there is also a lot more glazing done on-site, he added. “We would send the frames, and then the glass portion would come separate, and that would be put in once the frame is all installed.”
Kohltech uses PVC for window construction and Penman feels that fiberglass doors are slightly leading the way in the western provinces. Preferences can be regional, he acknowledged, noting it really depends on what the consumer wants. Although vibrant colours have been a staple in the Eastern provinces for a while, the West has seen an uptick in colour as well.
Penman concluded by noting that he’s seen an increase in custom colour requests. “People’s imagination and creativity have really come into play.”
Photos courtesy of Kohltech International Ltd.
ALL WEATHER AT HOME
All Weather At Home serves residential and commercial dealers, builders and homeowners across Western Canada, with seven Customer Solution Centres across the region. Tracy Nadiger, Vice President of Marketing, said All Weather Home “is one of Canada’s largest privately owned and operated manufacturers and suppliers of windows, doors and glass.”
Casement and slider windows are two of the most popular styles in the fenestration industry, with casement windows tending to be more favoured, Nadiger offered. The choice between the two often depends on customer preferences, regional factors and specific applications. Casement windows provide superior energy efficiency, weather resistance and maximum ventilation, and
they are an excellent choice for showcasing scenic landscapes. “On the other hand, slider windows remain a practical and cost-effective alternative, valued for their ease of use, low maintenance, and fewer moving parts and hardware.”
In recent years, Nadiger has noticed that consumer trends vary significantly based on the generation a customer belongs to. Baby Boomers prioritize safety, ease of use and timeless designs. Gen X consumers focus on durability, quality and value for money. Millennials prioritize convenience, functionality and aesthetics, while Gen Z consumers place a high value on sustainability, technology and personalization.
“Across all age groups, energy efficiency, large windows and black window frames have consistently been top choices,” she added.
Photos courtesy of All Weather At Home
Nadiger said All Weather At Home is seeing some increased interest in aluminum and fibreglass, although vinyl windows remain the number one consumer choice. Thanks to advancements in manufacturing, vinyl windows are available in various colours, finishes and customizable designs.
Driven by advancements in technology, sustainability concerns and evolving consumer demands, Nadiger believes the residential window construction industry will be subject to more rigour in the future, to measure carbon footprint and sustainability factors. Regarding glass technology, she feels there is increased “awareness for the adoption of smart glass and/or
switchable glazing; also, Vacuum Insulated Glass (VIG) is becoming increasingly available, thanks to advancements in manufacturing processes and growing demand for energy-efficient building materials.”
Black remans the ever-popular colour choice, but Nadiger feels alternative hues align with bold and unconventional design trends that are embraced by architects.
“Laminate colours with a unique wood-textured finish are interesting options that architects and designers could add to their design options, adding a distinctive touch to modern and creative architectural styles,” she remarked.
GLOBAL WINDOWS AND DOORS
Serving Atlantic Canada since 1999, Global Windows and Doors is a manufacturer of residential and light commercial windows and doors. With its manufacturing facility located in Richibucto, N.B., the company’s business model is built around people, said Patrick Beaudry, Vice President of Sales. “We are a family-owned business that is all about the people; it’s not a job, it’s a career.”
The window sector has seen a large increase in the demand for painted products over the last two years, he remarked. Casement windows in black are the most popular, and he predicts that trend will continue in 2025. Due to the consumer preference for larger glass sizes, fixed windows have also risen in popularity. “They are all looking for that natural light; the houses are built around that now,” said Beaudry.
Consumers are more informed than ever and energy efficiency has become a top priority in the
window market. The public better understands energy ratings and U-factor (heat loss), and people want Energy Star-rated windows, he explained. The lower the U-factor, the better the window insulates. Larger glass areas generally create more solar heat gain, so “the lower U-value makes the house more comfortable as it controls that better, and therefore the air conditioner will not run as hard in the summer.”
With energy efficiency top of mind, Beaudry said consumers also “want to know if you are Energy Star-approved and what rating you have, because people want the best window with the best efficiency.” For this reason, triple-glazed windows are in demand.
Vinyl windows remain the top choice for consumers; Beaudry feels this is partly due to vinyl requiring less maintenance and it can be painted any colour. He added that people are more concerned about their finances now, so the overall cost of vinyl suits consumer budgets better.
Photos courtesy of Global Windows and Doors
Overall, the contemporary design trend continues, and Beaudry explained that Global is very conscious of window aesthetics.
“Our vinyl windows have the modern look; it’s all flat and clean looking,” he concluded.
CONCLUSION
For 2025, bigger is better. Whether it be windows or doors, consumers are looking for more glass,
increased light and unobstructed views. When it comes to their front doors, homeowners want to make a statement while making a grand entrance. And, while there is a universal demand for energy efficiency, there are plenty of other ways to customize a look. Although black remains the dominant colour choice, more vibrant colours may see a rise in popularity as consumers put their own personal stamp on “curb appeal.” —
