Garage doors can be constructed from a variety of different materials, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to choosing the best garage door material, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and it can have a considerable impact on your choice, depending on your budget and personal taste. With so many great options out there, we know that choosing the right garage door material can be a challenge for the average consumer. To help you make this decision-making process easy, we've listed some garage door materials and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
steel
Without a doubt, steel is the most popular garage door material, covering over 90% of the market. Steel doors come in a variety of styles, are durable, low maintenance, and very affordable. Most steel doors have a lifetime warranty on the finish, so you don't have to paint your garage door again. Many can even use a mock-stain finish for mock-stained wood doors. While steel garage doors can dent and rust, these are not big issues if you buy a better quality door. Unlike cheaper models, better quality steel doors are more resistant to dents and less likely to be damaged by hail, basketball, etc. Make sure to maintain the doors regularly and remove standing water caused by melting snow on the vehicle, as this is especially corrosive. last but not least,
Wood and Wood Composites
For many, wood (especially stained finishes) is the prettiest garage door material on the market. Modern wood garage doors are tough, resilient, highly customizable, and can be upgraded to provide excellent insulation. However, wood garage doors tend to be more expensive and require more frequent maintenance and repairs than doors made from other materials. Still, they're a great option for homeowners looking to add to their home's curb appeal. On the other hand, wood composites have a similar appearance to wood and are expected to reduce maintenance costs. Many people mistakenly think that the composite door does not need maintenance, but it is not the case. Door manufacturers require composites to be maintained with a brush of UV protectant every 3-4 years or the warranty will void. This is basically the same maintenance that a solid wood door requires. We recommend a solid wood door over composite because if you fail to keep up with maintenance and let the finish deteriorate, you can always sand the wood door and refinish it. Not so with composites - you will most likely need to replace the door.
aluminum
Aluminum itself is rust-resistant. In terms of functionality, aluminum garage doors approach steel in terms of durability and low maintenance, with the added benefit of more styling options and a longer-lasting finish. Most aluminum doors feature glass inserts in all sections, creating a sleek, modern look and letting in lots of natural light. While significantly more expensive than steel doors, there are often no other options for ultra-modern homes that are as aesthetically pleasing or as statement-making as aluminum/glass garage doors.
glass fiber
The use of fiberglass as a garage door material is relatively uncommon because the material strength of fiberglass is not fully known and is more prone to weathering than other materials. The main advantage of choosing fiberglass as a garage door material is that it is more resistant to saltwater corrosion than other materials, making it a smart choice for coastal garages. Fiberglass often comes in painted or stained finishes, but despite this, we still don't recommend installing a fiberglass garage door in non-coastal locations because it won't stand up to steel or wood if it's properly maintained.
