How to Pick the Perfect Marine Door for a Boathouse in 4 Steps

A boathouse is a dream for many people. The relaxing and quaint nature of being one with water is incomparable to anything else. Purchasing a waterfront property comes with a hefty price tag.

Many waterfront property owners will buy a property that needs more work for a lower price, and make improvements over time. If you’re looking to make improvements to your waterfront home, your boathouse door may be top of mind!

Picture of a boat and a blue sky.

Have an outdated boathouse garage door? Invest in a high-quality boathouses garage door that will keep your boat safe for ages. Image from Pexels.

Why a boathouse with a proper marine garage door is important

If you own a boat, you need to protect it. A boat is a big investment that needs to be shielded from potential damages. There are several types of garage doors that can be installed on a boathouse, so first and foremost, identify the main function of your boathouse's garage door, this will help you pick the right model of garage door for you.

Whether you want a boathouse door that allows you to display your beautiful boat, keep it totally protected from the elements, or have the best bang for your buck – this blog will explain your options and help you pick what’s right for you.

A beautiful modern cottage with two all glass garage doors

With all glass and modern garage doors, you can add class and style to your boathouse while being able to display your boat! This project pictured above was created by PattyMac.

Firs option > Show off your boat with a full-view garage door

A gorgeous house by the lake with three full-view garage doors for the its gigantic boathouse

Take a peek at this gorgeous boathouse found on Houzz! A full-view California garage door lets in natural light while allowing your guests to admire your boat from the outside.

Glass garage doors allow for tons of natural light as well as beautiful panoramic views of your boat from your property. Plus, this door frame is made of aluminum, a corrosion-resistant material.

Boats are made to enjoy – so you should be able to proudly display your boat while keeping it totally secure. That’s exactly what an all-glass modern marine boathouse door can do for you.

Are you a boat enthusiast who can frequently be found tuning up your boat? Choosing an all-glass garage door like the glass garage door picture above will offer lots of natural lighting. This allows for easier and more precise work to be done right in your boathouse.

This beautiful boathouse was realized by PattyMac.

Want to maximize your boathouse? Boathouses can be used for more than just storage. By adding sofas, tables, and a panoramic garage door to let gorgeous views in, you can have it all. The amazing boathouse project above was created by PattyMac.

Dare to dream big with your boathouse! This space can easily become an oasis of rest and relaxation by using couches and tables to maximize the space and choosing a glass boathouse door to let some light in.

A modern boathouse in dark charcoal with two all-glass garage doors

Check out this stunning boathouse found on Houzz. The black aluminum frame blends nicely with the trendy charcoal sidings to create a modern look. The glass boathouse marine doors add modernity and secure storage for your boat.

All-glass boathouse garage door: is it risky? What if an accident happens?

Boating is a ton of fun, but as with any vehicle, accidents happen. That’s okay! Your boat may be easily driven into a glass boathouse door if trying to pull it in at night or early morning. This is why many boat enthusiasts who love the look of a glass garage door may opt for tempered glass instead of traditional glass.

Tempered glass offers much more protection with eh same beautiful and clean appearance. Tempered glass is rigorously heated & cooled to be up to five times stronger than ordinary glass.

California, 6' x 8' 6" and 16' x 8' 6", Black aluminum frame, Sandblasted glass

Check out these modern, full-view glass California garage doors! These are 6' x 8'6" and 16' x 8'6", featuring a sleek Black aluminum frame and sandblasted glass.

We offer the California full-view garage door in a variety of glass types.

Below are a few types of glass you may choose from:

  • Clear glass allows perfect vision, both from inside the boathouse and outside. This is perfect for the person who wants to be able to soak in beautiful water views from inside their boathouse or show off their boat to friends and neighbors.
  • Sandblasted glass allows light to filter in without providing a full view, perfect for someone looking for natural light but also privacy.
  • Tempered glass can be worked into any type of glass (except the laminated glass) without changing the glass at all. Tempered glass is 4 to 5 times stronger than typical glass, a great and durable option.
  • Polycarbonate is not glass – but can be a great substitute. This material is made of plastic and is much more tolerant of hard impacts. However, it can scratch, so it’s not foolproof. Read this FAQ to learn the proper upkeep of polycarbonate windows.

Large windows tend to have one annoying setback: condensation. In a boathouse, you won’t be able to use a dehumidifier like you might in a garage or home. Having said that, you can keep condensation at bay by doing regular maintenance on your glass garage doors.

By regularly examining your garage doors, you can make sure weather seals are still in place. Also, you can crack your boathouse door to add air circulation, which helps dissipate condensation.

Second Option > Durable Steel Construction and the Sought After Craftsman Look of the Townships Collection

Image of a blue boathouse with beautiful brown farmhouse garage doors with inverted V overlays.

Pictured above, the farmhouse aesthetic is a popular choice for boathouse owners. For a marine door that can stand the test of time, and has a faux wood appearance, choose an overhead door from the Townships Collection. Image found on Pinterest.

Wood and water historically do not mix. Wood becomes bogged and rotten very quickly in the presence of moisture. However – who doesn’t love the beautiful look of a wooden boathouse door? An overhead door from the Townships Collection gets you the best of both worlds – a beautiful wood-like appearance while still offering water-resistant toughness.

Princeton P-12 garage doors, 8' x 7', Iron Ore Walnut, Black Overlays, 8 lites Panoramic windows

What do you think of the Princeton P-12 design? This gorgeous and modern double garage door pictured above is 8' x 7', in Iron Ore Walnut with Black overlays and 8 lite Panoramic windows from the Townships Collection.

Keep rust away with galvanized steel! The Townships Collection offers garage doors with long-lasting durability.

Apart from their great durability, these garage doors also offer fantastic insulation with an R-16 value. If you’ll be using your vacation home and connected boathouse in chilly weather or intend to make your boathouse double as a relaxing area for hosting guests, you may love these doors. The insulation level offers the shield needed to keep warm air in and to stop cold waterside breezes from entering your boathouse.

Eastman E-21 garage door, 9' x 7', Claystone doors, Ice White Overlays, 8 lite Panoramic windows

Above is an Eastman E-21, 9' x 7’, with Claystone color doors and Ice White overlays plus lite panoramic windows. Rustic and whimsical, this door from the Townships Collection offers practicality and beauty.

The great thing about the Townships Collection is the PVC overlays that are used can mimic wood so closely that your guests might not know it’s not wood at all! You’ll love showing off the beautiful Craftsman look on your boathouse door. Whether you prefer X, V, A, or I-shaped overlays, certain colors, or windows, you will find something beautiful and rustic for your boathouse with Townships Collection’s Farmhouse and Modern Farmhouse styles.

A boathouse with a nice farmhouse look

Above, you see a contrasting V-shaped overlay on this boathouse. This adds a classic yet striking appearance to the façade of the home. This was designed by Makow Associates Architects Inc.

Enjoy the perks of these boathouse doors featuring Dura+ hardware!

Dura+ hardware is ideal for a boathouse, offering great resistance to water and salt. The hardware extends the lifetime of the door by shielding it from damage over time. You’ll find the tracks are built with super strong galvanized steel, and the rollers are coated with nylon, which will help to slow wear and tear on the rollers. Galvanized steel will keep rust at bay – and keep your boathouse tracks looking and operating like new for years to come!

Looking for the best bang for your buck on your marine door? You might like the Acadia 138 and Regal garage doors.

Upgrading your marine boat door is pricey, especially if you want to choose the right fit. However, there are some less expensive options that still offer amazing durability and design. First, to understand your options, check out this FAQ to understand the seven factors that impact the cost of garage doors.

1. The Acadia 138 garage door for your boathouse

This garage door is an Acadia 138 North Hatley LP, 9' x 7', Desert Sand, windows with Richmond Inserts. Imagine this one on your boathouse! Wouldn’t the look be absolutely divine?

The garage door above is an Acadia 138 North Hatley LP, 9' x 7', in Desert Sand, with windows with Richmond Inserts and some added decorative hardware. This door would blend perfectly with a modern boathouse design.

The Acadia 138 is a great option: it’s also made with galvanized steel, which is an ideal material for a moisture-rich environment like a boathouse. The Acadia 138 comes in at an R-12 insulation value. This door comes with traditional hardware, but if you want the aforementioned Dura+ hardware on your Acadia 138, no worries! If you’d like Dura+ hardware for your marine boat door, simply request it (and pay the extra costs associated).

2. The Regal garage door for your boathouse

Regal Classic Long, 9' x 7', Moka Brown, Clear windows

Lean into the natural themes of a boathouse with this dark chocolate Classic Long garage door, at 9' x 7', with Clear windows. The earthy vibe and classic embossed pattern are sure to look great for years to come.

Regal garage doors are a classic and tasteful choice for your marine boathouse garage door! These doors rank lower in insulation capability, offering only polystyrene insulation or none. However, the lack of insulation lowers the price of the door! If you don’t feel like you need insulation for your boathouse, a lightly insulated (or non-insulated) garage door for your boathouse can save money.

Garage doors for small boats and boathouses

If you have a small boat, such as a kayak or pontoon, you need the marine door to be pretty small, to accommodate the small boat and boathouse. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered. We offer garage doors as modest as only 4’ wide! The same goes for the height. You can rest easy knowing each garage door we make is custom fit to your needs.

Need to measure how wide or tall your marine door opening should be? Check out this guide on how to do it.

How about adding a garage door opener to your boathouse?

After reading through all those great options for marine garage doors for your boathouse, you likely already have an idea of how you want your boathouse door to look and feel. What about functionality, though? An electric garage door opener is a practical tool that makes the garage door that much more valuable.

For easy access in and out of your boathouse, consider an electric garage door opener. Boating requires focus, and you don’t want your focus to be derailed by fiddling with a manual garage door opener.

An electric garage door opener by LiftMaster will simplify your life and make parking your boat a breeze.

When considering an electric garage door opener for your boathouse, durability should be top of mind. A simple residential opener may not be resilient or strong enough. The two commercial openers we recommend are more durable than your typical garage door opener. Plus, they feature something other residential models simply don't: they can come with a car wash modification!

The car wash modification makes the garage door opener water-resistant. It allows these electric garage door openers to operate seamlessly in a moist environment, where most others would not. It’s important to note that this modification can only be added to certain industrial garage door openers.

For your marine garage door, look no further than LiftMaster’s H and J commercial door openers!

See LiftMaster garage door opener's model H

The LiftMaster H and LiftMaster J garage door openers are installed on the wall, reducing noise transfer if you spend time above or near your boathouse. Since they are affixed to the wall, you’ll have no problem using ceiling space for storage, either.

A wall-mounted garage door opener can be a great option if you plan on lifting your boats when you store them. It will save you some ceiling space. Image from Houzz.

Many people lift boats for storage. A wall-mounted garage door opener allows your ceiling to stay free and open for storage space! Image from Houzz.

LiftMaster garage door openers provide enhanced security

The worry that someone may try to break into your boathouse to steal or even vandalize your precious boat and equipment is one that many have. Another reason a LiftMaster garage door opener is such a wise choice for a boathouse is the security features it comes equipped with.

Here are several features you will enjoy with a LiftMaster garage door opener for your boathouse:

  • Unique code – get a unique code sent directly to your smartphone when trying to open the garage door, no one can try to access your boathouse garage door remotely.
  • Invisible light beams – these help protect against accidents. When something crosses the boathouse door as it is closing, the light beams help send a signal to stop, and the door stops before it hits your boat!
  • Always know when the door is opened – there’s nothing worse than not being able to remember whether your boathouse garage door was closed while you’re out trying to enjoy a day on the lake. With LiftMaster’s myQ app, you’ll never experience this again. Simply access the app on your smart device to see if the door is open (and close it remotely). The app also sends alerts to you if your garage door has been left open for an extended period. What a relief!

Interested in adding garage door openers to your boathouse or vacation home? Discover all the residential models here for more options.

Ready to purchase a marine boathouse garage door?

Eastman E-22 garage door, 9' x 7', Ice White door with Ice White overlays and Orion windows

Above is the Eastman E-22 design, 9' x 7', in an Ice White color. What a beautiful, classic, and sleek design for a garage or marine boathouse!

Are you ready to invest in a beautiful and customized garage door for your boathouse? Doan’s Overhead Doors would love to help. We’ve got years of experience customizing and installing garage doors for folks just like you. If you have questions – we have answers! Our experts can answer your questions and guide you in the important process of choosing your garage door, whether it’s for your shed, your main home, or your boathouse.

Call us today at 705-324-1005 to get started!

Feeling creative? Want to play around with colors and designs for some inspiration? Then, navigate to our Design Centre, where you can customize the marine boathouse door you’d like. You can even upload a photo of your home and virtually “try on” the door you’ve designed from scratch. Pretty cool, right? You’ll enjoy the hundreds of combinations we offer. You can choose the colour, window type decorative hardware and so much more! Did you design a garage door you fell in love with? We were hoping you would. Simply request a free quote by email in the Design Centre application.

Your boathouse is unique, so your marine garage door should be too!

Our garage doors are made to order in Canada. We customize your order down to your size, design, colours, and more. We offer more than 35 designs and 10 colours, so you can be sure you will find a garage door style that matches your unique home perfectly.

Contact us to find out more! We are looking forward to helping you craft your ideal garage door.

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