For most of us, the home is the single largest investment we'll ever make. By "investment," we mean not only the dollars spent, but the emotion invested, as well.

Making upgrades to your home will improve its value, add comfort and make it a more pleasant place in which to spend time. Studies have shown that projects ranging from a fresh coat of paint to enhanced natural lighting can have a profoundly positive emotional effect on home dwellers.

Safety is another reason for making home improvements. Locks on cabinet doors to avoid injured little fingers, a spark arrester at the chimney to prevent a roof fire and carbon monoxide detectors are examples of common safety upgrades.

A winning home improvement embodies the three components: value, comfort and safety. One such is a garage door which can account for 40 percent or more of a home's exterior. As such a large part of the home's facade, it can have significant impact on curb appeal and, hence, the value of the home.

When should you replace your garage door? Take a good look at it. Does it sag when it's raised? Does it scratch or drag when raised or lowered? Is it split, dented or rusted? Is it safe and secure? Do you find yourself spending a lot of time painting and repairing it?

A modern garage door is far different from the one-piece tilt-up models that were standard equipment with homes that many of us grew up in. We are pleased to report these models are becoming more and more obscure. Sagging, surface delamination and weight, (if you have a tilt-up door you will know exactly what we are talking about), are a few of the reasons that have led to their near demise.

Most new doors are the sectional roll-up style. And, whereas wood was once the most common textile for door construction, it has been overtaken by more environmentally correct materials that offer better lasting quality, such as steel, wood composite, and fiberglass. Not only are these doors built to last longer, they are designed to look better and require less maintenance.

For example, a high-quality sectional garage door, such as one made of steel, will resist sagging. And, although steel is substantially heavier than wood, with the proper spring system a door made of it can be raised and lowered effortlessly. This, however, isn't the weighty issue it once was for yet another reason: an increasing number of consumers are purchasing an automatic opener with their new garage door.

Manufacturers of better doors offer high-quality factory finishes to prevent deterioration even from the worst weather conditions. Insulation for noise attenuation and enhanced comfort is another feature that will add slightly to the purchase price and also pay big dividends in comfort and energy savings.

In an effort to enhance a home's appearance, door manufacturers are offering a broad selection of styles and finishes. Flush and raised panel construction, ribbed designs and wood-grain texture for a natural look are a few of the choices. You can even dress up the door and give the house a little class with the addition of decorative windows, including a leaded-glass look-alike. Windows also can be a safety feature. They will allow in natural light which will illuminate a previously dangerously dark path.

When purchasing a new garage door, think about installing a new automatic opener. Unless your opener is relatively new and meets all of the current safety regulations, it should not be reinstalled. One of the greatest causes of garage-door injuries is outdated or faulty openers.

Safety-approved openers have highly sensitive devices that cause the door to reverse when it comes into contact with an object. A sensor beam which travels across the door opening prevents the door from operating when there is an object in its path.

Imagine a garage door constructed of dent-resistant fiberglass with a raised panel wood-grain finish that can be stained to look like the real thing with none of the maintenance headaches. Add a bit of insulation for comfort and energy-efficiency, windows for looks and natural light, a new opener for convenience and security, and you have a state-of-the-art garage door.

To request a free copy of "A Guide to Garage Doors Everything You Need to Know About Purchasing a Garage Door," send a self-addressed business-size envelope to Clopay, 312 Walnut Street, Suite 1600, Cincinnati, OH 45202-4036. Or, call 1-800-225-6729.