You use it every day. It’s a major entrance to your home, but chances are you know very little about its background. You don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy this fun walk through time with a spotlight on the American garage door.
American Garage Doors
1920s
In 1921, C.G. Johnson started Overhead Door in Detroit, Michigan. During the early 1900s, automobiles were becoming more and more accessible. By the time Overhead Door was in business, Ford had more than 1,000,000 new cars on the road. The roaring 20s and a booming U.S. economy continued to make owning a car a normal part of American life. Garage door companies opened in New Jersey, Indiana, and Illinois.
1930s
In 1930, Crawford Door was founded in Ohio, making the Midwest the primary development area for garage doors. Sectional wood garage doors were manufactured for the first time. In 1931, the first sectional garage door was produced with 12” sections. More garage door manufacturers opened in Iowa and California.
1940s
The automotive industry slowed heavily during WWII. During the war, some garage door companies completely shut down, while others contributed to the war effort. After the war, wood garage doors began to take the spotlight in the garage door industry. Garage door companies opened in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
1950s
The garage door industry continued to blossom throughout the country. New companies opened in Arkansas and Colorado. For the first time, a seven-section steel garage door was produced. Later in the decade, a pre-painted commercial steel garage door was produced for the first time.
1960s
Garage manufacturing began spreading to Europe. The technology and process used to manufacture garage doors began to advance, and companies began producing more doors made of wood, steel, and fiberglass. As the industry expanded, companies began to buy, sell, and absorb one another.
1970s
Two-car garages became more mainstream. At the beginning of the decade, 39% of new homes had two-car garages. By 1979, that number was up to 62%, further boosting the garage door industry. By the 70s, 30 different garage door manufacturers made their home in the states.
1980s
High inflation, interest, and unemployment rates put a damper on the overall U.S. economy during the early 80s, but innovative technology helped the garage industry get a leg up in spite of the less than ideal circumstances. Manufacturers began merging materials to provide enhanced design and functionality.
1990s
After years of stagnation in aesthetic appearance, garage manufacturers started to change up their designs and materials. Manufacturers began to develop garage door materials and designs that satisfy residential and commercial clients alike.
2000s and Beyond
As technology continues to develop, so does the garage door industry. Garage doors have never been more efficient, easy to use, and customizable. You can now design a garage door to match your home’s exterior and control your garage door from your smart phone.
There you have it! A quick history of how garage doors started in America and became what they are today.
Contact Doors by George to keep your garage door running smoothly all year long! As the Cedar Rapids-area garage door expert, we can help you with anything from regular maintenance to a complete garage door overhaul or new installation. Request a free quote to get started on your next project today!
