If you are considering installing a new garage door, whether for the first time or to replace an outdated one, you probably know there are different materials to choose from. Each of these materials has its own pros and cons, and understanding them is imperative in helping you make the right garage door selection for your residential or commercial property.
Here are the top garage door materials you can choose from and their pros and cons:
Steel
Steel is arguably the most popular material for garage doors in many commercial properties. It offers a myriad of benefits, but also has some cons compared to other options.
Pros: Steel doors are not only relatively affordable, strong and durable, but also a low-maintenance option. A top-quality steel garage door, such as a 24- or 25-gage steel door, will easily give you service for at least 10 years. Plus, steel doors come in a wide variety of design options, making it easy to fit them into your home design. Steel doors also offer an insulation option to help you regulate your garage temperatures.
Cons: Steel garage doors are very poor insulators. Steel is also highly prone to dings and dents, which can accumulate over time and take a toll on the door’s appearance. It is also subject to corrosion especially when used in salty areas.
Wood
Wood is often the number two option for garage doors in popularity. They have been in existence since the very early days of garage door’s use.
Pros: Wooden garage doors are definitely preferred over other materials because of their aesthetic appeal. Wood gives your garage door a unique and distinguished look, and it can be customized to fit any style or design you want. Plus, different types of finishes can be used on wood to achieve any desired look and feel.
Cons: The biggest disadvantage with wood is that it requires constant maintenance. If not well taken care of, which includes regular repainting, priming, sealing and such, it can easily deteriorate and lose its aesthetic appeal. They may suffer cracks, splits, shrinkage, expansion and even rot. Wooden garage doors also have a short life and are very costly.
Aluminum
This material is somehow similar to steel and many property owners use it as an alternative to steel.
Pros: Aluminum offers similar advantages to steel but at a lower price. They are strong, long-lasting and corrosion resistant. However, they are lighter than steel.
Cons: Because it’s lighter than steel, this material is more likely to dent and does not last as long as steel does.
Fiberglass
Though quite uncommon, fiberglass material is best for garage doors fitted in highly salty areas such as beachfront properties.
Pros: Fiberglass panels are extremely durable, more dent resistant than steel, and highly resistant to corrosion or rust. Their high resistance to corrosion is what makes them a perfect option for coastal properties. In addition, fiberglass material requires almost zero maintenance.
Cons: Fiberglass is a poor insulator and may fade due to long exposure to the sun.
Wood composite
This material offers the ideal solution for people who want a garage door with a wooden look, but without the extensive maintenance required by wooden doors.
Pros: This material is as strong as steel and can be painted or stained just like wood. It is also resistant to splitting, warping and rot.
Cons: The material is quite expensive.
These are some of the top garage door materials and their pros and cons. Consider each option carefully and consult a professional garage door dealer to help you settle on the one that meets your specific property’s needs.
