I feel compelled to offer the following comments on this response. "Installing a garage door opener is one of the easier things a DIYer can do." Not true. This is not as simple as say hanging a picture. It is not exteremely difficult but does require some skill/mechanical ability. "You don't mess with the door or the springs." This is true providing the door/springs are in good shape and are operating properly, including but not limited to; no binding/proper balance, etc. "Being your doors are made of wood, they are probably heavy, so a 2 horsepower door opener would probably work well. You should not need more than that." 2 horsepower?????? maybe you meant a 1/2 horsepower. The opener doesn't "lift" the door, that's what the springs are for. The opener compensates for the manual effort required to open the door which varies according to the door step up. in answer to your questions: "1. Yes" True, for two separate doors you need two separate units "2. Stanley makes a decent one. Chamberlain does too" True. However, there are a number of good manufacturers and types available. FWIW, I've had good luck with Craftsman. You need to choose between chain, screw, or belt drive depending on what you want to spend and how quiet you need it. Also select your options like keyless entry or optional light controls. "3. You can do it" change to "maybe" see the attached link for a typical owner's manual that has the installation instructions and decide for yourself. "4. Don't touch the springs." As stated above this depends on the condition of your existing hardware. Basically, you follow the directions. Put a bracket on the door. Assemble the opener. Raise it into place. And attach it to the ceiling with the provided hangers. Attach the wire for the manual button and run it to a place that is convenient. And plug it in." All new doors have sensors at the base of the door that also require installation and running wires "Assuming you don't have an outlet in the right place, you will have to run some wire and put in an outlet above the opener, but that is not hard either." YIKES, a "fairly inexperienced handyman" should probably not be running new electrical lines. Not impossible but do some research and make sure everything is correct. "This would be a good Saturday afternoon project. Just read the directions." see the manual and decide for yourself. FWIW, I'm not a pro and have installed a few of these. You need to recognize your limitations and understand what is involved. There are some pros who post here fairly frequently. I hope they agree with my advice. cstrombe: good luck with your new openers! Here is a link that might be useful: typical owners manual

I commented on the pictures before I read what you wrote! We got new garage doors last spring and I was surprised how inexpensive they are. We got black garage doors. My husband recently put Styrofoam insulation in them and it’s made a big difference in the heat. For the trim around your garage doors I would go as light as possible even the color of your current garage doors would look great as the body of the house and your trim it looks to be similar to Sherwin Williams alabaster.

Keep the garage door neutral like the foundation but add a garage pergola above it and grow a climbing vine to run on it where the pine gets removed. You can paint vinyl siding. Sherwin Williams has specialty paint for that. I would paint the dormer (and downspouts) to match the roof color, paint the shutters white, remove shutters from lower windows and paint their trim the same white as the shutters upstairs. Take care of the landscaping as mentioned above. Looks like you need to increase/upgrade outdoor lighting and beef up the weenie railing. Maybe a local iron worker could enhance it with some interesting trim. I would also consider a new look for the front door; probably a single glass storm if your climate requires it. Black would make for a nice front door and storm on your brick home.

I like the darker one so you have some contrast with the rest of the house. And it will pull out the dark stone.