Recently one our customers made a comment that she was surprised at the many different decisions that she had to make when selecting a garage door. Among the many different options that confronted her was the material used for construction. Surprisingly, there are many different materials that can dramatically affect the durability, functionality and the look of any door.
Steel Garage Doors – The most popular choice as a replacement garage door, steel garage doors are a functional and cost effective option for most homeowners. Favored for their all-around durability and energy efficiency, this type of door can be primed and painted to match almost any home. While benefits include price and ease of maintenance, steel garage doors can be dented and can be subject to corrosion if not properly prepared.
Wood Garage Doors – Wood is another popular material for garage doors and has a number of strengths and weaknesses. Strengths include easy customization, resilience to damage and appearance. However, some weaknesses including a low insulation value, increased maintenance and the possibility of warning. Among the many different types of wood used for garage doors include cedar, redwood, and fir and meant (loan). Wood doors may be factory-stained or painted, or finished on-site.
Wood Composite Garage Doors – Composite garage doors are a cost-effective, eco-friendly option. Often created using a wooden frame and fiberboard, better models are very attractive and offer realistic details including a true-to-life realistic wood simulation.
Aluminum Frame Garage Doors – Aluminum panel garage doors are effective in minimizing corrosion, however they are particularly susceptible to dents. Available in a wide range of finishes, aluminum garage doors can be a cost effective option for many homeowners.
Fiberglass Garage Doors – Less subject to denting and cracking, fiberglass garage doors do not rust and can be a good option for many garages. Often fabricated with the use of a steel frame for added rigidity, fiberglass doors can be filled with insulation to minimize heat loss. Unfortunately, fiberglass surfaces can break when suffering an impact.
Vinyl Garage Doors – Durable and affordable, vinyl garage doors are popular with homeowners in our area for several reasons. Vinyl tends to be highly resistant to dents and scratches. Offering a flexible surface, vinyl garage doors often flex when struck and is much less likely to show damage, since the material has a consistent color throughout. Some downsides of vinyl garage doors include generally poor insulation and appearance.
Overall, there’s simply not one garage door construction that is better than the rest. Frequently it’s a combination of factors that suit a homeowner’s needs to best identify which types of doors is right for you. When searching for the right type of garage door, make sure that the company you choose takes the time to adequately assess your needs.