There are several garage door materials to choose from, depending on what suits your home best. Common garage door materials include wood, steel, aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass, and glass. Here is an overview of each one along with each garage door material’s pros and cons.
What Are Garage Doors Made Of?
The material can affect a garage door’s function, your lifestyle, and a home’s appearance and curb appeal. The most prevalent materials include:
Wood
Wood doors provide a natural, rustic look. A standard wood garage door can cost just a few hundred dollars. However, custom designs can run into the thousands. While wood requires finishing to protect it from the elements, proper care can significantly extend its lifespan. There are also several types of wood to choose from, including cedar, redwood, fir, hemlock, and others.
R-values are often low, so wood is not very insulating. Weather and climate can take a toll, depending on the material (cedar is more heat-tolerant, while redwood stands up better in high humidity). Wood also tends to be heavy, but you can reduce weight with a wood composite material, which may also reduce the price.
Steel
If you’re looking for durability, low-maintenance, and good value, steel is a good choice. Although it doesn’t chip like wood, steel can dent, while scratches can quickly rust if they’re not fixed. However, a steel door can be customized in a variety of configurations, colors, and finishes.
Steel isn’t very insulating. However, adding layers of galvanized steel with insulation in between can be worthwhile. That way, you can control the environment in your garage and use at as a living or work space. The more insulated it is, the less street noise and lower your energy bills might be.
Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight and requires less maintenance. Unlike steel, it is not prone to rust or corrosion, but it’s light enough to suit homeowners with wide double doors. Laminated panels can resist denting. However, the more heavy-duty the material and frames, the more they will cost, although you can benefit from stronger, more dent-resistant varieties. There is variability, but aluminum does tend to cost more than steel.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a durable material that resists denting. Maintenance requirements are few and all you typically need is a quick hose-down for cleaning. With the right finish, vinyl doors resist wind, sand, and salt, so are ideal for coastal homes. Vinyl also doesn’t rust or fade due to UV light, while it provides a decent level of insulation. One downside, however, is there are comparably fewer designs and colors available.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass garage doors are resistant to rust and corrosion, thermally efficient, and can be made to resemble a variety of materials, especially wood. The fiberglass layers are typically bonded to a steel frame with polyurethane insulation, which is suited for homes in hot climates. These kinds of doors are quite sturdy. However, they can become discolored and break in cold climates.
Glass
Glass garage doors provide a modern look; often combined with aluminum, glass floods your garage with natural light. Frosted or tinted glass can add privacy. With tempered safety glass or acrylic, you can add security, and you can even alternate glass and opaque panels in various configurations.
Choose Your Garage Door Options with Precision Door Service of Fresno
At Precision Door Service, we provide homeowners with various garage door materials and types. Call 559-212-3305 or contact our friendly support team online for assistance, to schedule same-day service, or receive a free quote.
