What is the Best Material for a Garage Door?
Garage doors come in different materials.
Garage doors have become a prominent design feature in modern homes. They enhance the home's curb appeal and value and improve security. Therefore, when it is time to install a new residential garage door, it is crucial to choose the right and the most suitable material.
Garage doors come in different materials. While each garage door material has its merits and shortcomings, it is essential to do proper research and choose something that matches the budget and fulfills the functional and aesthetic requirements. Therefore, let's discuss the various garage door materials:
Wood
Natural wood is the oldest garage door material, ideal for homeowners looking for a timeless, elegant, and traditional aesthetic. Wooden garage doors are coveted for their luxurious appearance and authentic beauty. Redwood, cedar, plywood, mahogany, and fir are common wood types used to make garage doors. Wooden garage doors are highly customizable. Wood is an eco-friendly material and works as an excellent insulator. They are unique, long-lasting, and boost resale value. However, wood is an expensive material, requires periodic maintenance and finishing, and is vulnerable to rotting, warping, swelling, and pest infestations.
Steel
The best-quality steel garage doors have a double layer of galvanized steel with a primed or painted surface to mimic other materials and complement any home style. The reasonable pricing, lightweight, durability, customization options, suitability to all climates, design flexibility, availability in endless colors and styles, and easy care and maintenance have made steel the most popular garage door material. The downside to using steel as a garage door material is that it is prone to corrosion, dents easily, and is a poor insulator. Choose an insulated steel garage door with thicker panels for better performance.
Aluminum
Garage doors with aluminum frames and sleek glass panels offer an eye-catching and contemporary look. Aluminum is resistant to rust and corrosion, customizable, cost-efficient, easy to install, low maintenance, available in different colors and finishes, and allows more natural light. Aluminum is the best choice for people residing in coastal areas. It is lighter and less expensive but more prone to dents and less durable than steel. Aluminum also has a lower R-value.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is an often overlooked but good garage door material option. It can mimic the appearance of grained wood without shrinking, warping, cracking, and rotting. Fiberglass is less vulnerable to dents and cracks. Fiberglass garage doors have two fiberglass layers bonded to a steel or aluminum frame and filled with polyurethane insulation. It is saltwater-resistant, making it ideal for the coastal region. Fiberglass is low maintenance and resistant to temperature changes. However, fiberglass is a poor insulator, strong winds can damage fiberglass doors, and it can turn yellow with age.
Vinyl
Vinyl garage doors are considered child-proof as they don't dent or break. Vinyl is perfect for homeowners looking for a budget garage door. It is durable, weather-, scratch-, rust-resistant, robust, and highly customizable. However, vinyl doors can fade if they are not UV protected, and it is not possible to paint them in a different color. Vinyl is also not a good heat insulator.
Learn more about garage door options
Consider factors like local climate, durability, energy efficiency, and maintenance needs before choosing any material. Please feel free to contact a local garage door company for help choosing the best material for the new residential garage door.
Phoenician Garage Door & Repair offers full-service garage installation, repair and maintenance in Maricopa County. Emergency service available. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Call (602) 610-0112
