Considering buying a new garage door? If you live in a community with HOA rules, it is vital you give them a read before making your purchase. 

A garage door is a garage door is a garage door, right? You would think so, but the world of Homeowners Association rules is a brutal one. I often like to think of it as a few people who have real power for the first time making rules that make no sense to any sane person. 

In the case of garage doors, however, I have to admit that rules are needed. The basic goal in most communities is to stick to a one or a few designs with corresponding color parameters. The reason for this is to limit any neighbors with “interesting” tastes from installing a door that brings down the neighborhood, the veritable equivalent of a car up on blocks!

The rules and regulations of nearly every HOA is a site to be scene. Think of a small phone book and you are headed in the right direction. Even worse, the board may have passed new regulations that are not exactly in the book yet. To deal with this, your best strategy is to approach someone on the board and get the lowdown. They usually know the rules inside out and, if not, can get you to someone who does. 

A new garage door is not an entirely inexpensive proposition. Given this, avoid making the mistake of buying one that you can’t even use. Read the rules and regulations for your HOA before you plunk down your hard earned cash.