In this article we are going to be talking about one of the most affordable garage door brands on the market today – Reliabilt Garage Doors. This has been a firm favorite in the DIY community for many years now, as they sell a decent range of doors which don’t cost an arm and a leg. This is a brand name that is often associated with Lowes, and many people think that this is their own brand which can’t be found anywhere else. This is both true and false.
More on that below, as we talk about who makes the garage doors, and what kind of quality you can expect to get. After that, we will have a look at some of their best selling models.
Who makes Reliabilt Garage Doors for Lowes?
Reliabilt branded doors are specifically made for Lowes by a third party manufacturer. These garage doors are actually made by a company called Amarr. Amarr is a company who also sell their own range of garage doors. Amarr made doors are rebranded as Reliabilt, then shipped off to Lowes to be sold.
So the real question to ask is what is the quality of Amarr doors like?
How good are Amarr Garage Doors?
The good news is that Amarr is an American based company, so this is the first reason to consider them a reputable choice. The second reason is that these garage door models are all made in America. Therefore these are not some cheap poorly doors, where all kinds of corners have been cut to make them affordable. And thirdly, they all come with very respectable warranties, ranging from 15-25 years. Such a lengthy warranty is very competitive, and in line with higher end doors. All these reasons make them quite tempting to buy, especially at the low prices they are sold at in Lowes.
We should also mention that some of the Reliabilt models qualify for a tax credit, and these include the 500 Model, the 850 Model and the 900 Model. If you are looking for a more affordable choice, then Costco Garage doors are also worth looking into.
Today there are quite a few different models sold at Lowes, and we are going to look at a few of the most popular ones currently available.
Reliabilt 500 Series
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If you are in the market for something basic, you should take a look at the ReliaBilt 500 series 99119557 Garage Door. This is a 7 x 8 foot door, with a thickness of two inches. This is a single layer traditional style door, so there is no insulation on it. The warranty offered on this model is 15 years which is quite respectable. The pricetag is only around $249, so there is a bit of a saving if you are looking for something more economical. It comes pre painted in white, and overall it is a somewhat basic design. However, it still looks very nice in our opinion. Contractors looking to save money tend to like this door, especially for anyone building a house on a very tight budget. The next model we are going to look at is the Reliabilt 500 series 991195568 Garage Door. This is essentially very similar to the 99119557 door we talked about above, with a few minor differences. The first main difference is that this is an insulated garage door. This Reliabilt Garage Door has two layers, and it has a R value of 6.84. The second main difference is that this model it comes with a very respectable 25 year warranty, which is much more enticing. Aside from that the design is virtually identical, and it looks the same as the photo above. The most enticing part of this door is likely the price, which is around $299 or so. Compared to similar competing models this really is great value for money, and makes a very affordable way to enhance the look of your garage. In our opinion it would be better to spend the $50 extra to get an insulated door with an additional 10 year warranty for peace of mind. |
Reliabilt Traditional Series
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If you are looking for something a bit more top end, then the Reliabilt Traditional Series 123458 model is something to consider. The design is quite similar to the above models with the exceptions of the windows built into the top. This is a 9 x 7 door, and it has a triple layered door with a steel interior. It also features a superior energy efficient design, and has an extra quiet operational mechanism. It has an R Rating of 6.58, and has a thickness of 1.375. Unlike the two models above, this comes with a lifetime warranty, so if you are looking for a very durable option then this is a good option. It comes with a price tag of around $750, so it is a little on the pricey side compared to the two other models above. But for a door with these kind of specs, it is still very reasonable compared to the competition. |
Reliabilt 900 Series
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Lastly we have the Reliabilt 900 Series 123524 Garage door with windows. This is a very attractive carriage house series design with windows, and certainly helps your garage doors to stand out. This is a two layer design with a thickness of two inches, and it is insulated. It has an R Rating of 6.64 and it comes in a white finish. It also has the new SAFEShield Pinch Protection built in, which ensures that your hands and fingers can’t get pinched in the door panels. Like the model above this is more of a premium design, and it comes with a price of around $1250. It does however come with a lifetime warranty, so it should be worth the money. If you are in the market for a more upmarket design, then this is one of the more popular models to consider. |
Summary
So that is a quick look at who makes the doors, and a few of the more popular Reliabilt Garage Doors. There are many other Reliabilt designs worth looking at though, so it is certainly worth seeing what other designs they offer. A lot of folks manage to install these themselves, so be sure to think twice before getting Lowes to install them. Otherwise another option is to look for a local contractor who will almost certainly be cheaper then what Lowes will charge you.
Reliabilt Traditional Series – this door I am looking in brown 7/8
Please contact me where I can get this door.