Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for garage doors to receive the same amount of attention as the front door of your home, but shopping for a garage door can be overwhelming if you aren’t sure what to look for. Garage doors serve a dual purpose, as they are both the cosmetic face of your home and the barrier between your home and the outside world.
As such, doors come in a range of materials, including metals, like steel and aluminum, as well as several types of wood. The two most popular garage door materials are steel and wood, but the best material for your home will vary depending on several factors—such as durability, longevity, and cosmetic appeal.
Steel Garage Doors
Steel garage doors are exceptionally durable and offer the most variety in terms of price, insulation, and design. Because they’re so insulated, metal garage doors have no equal in terms of energy efficiency. Steel doors are also quite customizable, and painting a metal garage door to match your home is easy, so homeowners can paint them to match an existing exterior design.
Steel doors are available with and without insulation. Premium steel doors with polyurethane or polystyrene insulation not only regulate internal temperature for seasonal weather, but they also make steel doors lighter and easier to operate.
Overall, the biggest advantages to steel doors are their weather resistance, energy-efficiency, and low-maintenance design, while their biggest drawback is their vulnerability to denting and fading.
Wood Garage Doors
The craftsmanship and beauty of a real wood garage door is hard to resist. Homeowners focusing on curb appeal prefer wood garage doors because of their natural, warm look. While any door can be painted to fit the look of a home, wood doors actively complement the home’s architecture, especially craftsmen- and ranch-style homes. Wood doors are easily customized and come in a range of colors and wood species.
Wood doors are thick, solid, and heavy, so they have a tremendous amount of natural strength. Most wood doors are constructed with a hemlock frame and hardboard panels, which can last a long time with the proper maintenance.
However, temperature fluctuations cause the wood to contract and swell, breaking down the finish. Homeowners in sunny, dry, or hot climates should avoid installing wood doors; these conditions just aren’t gentle on them.
Because they’re so thick and heavy, the biggest advantages to wood doors are their durability and security, while their largest drawbacks include their tendency to warp, crack, or rot.
Let American Door Works Find the Right Material for You
If you’re in the market for a new garage door but don’t know where to begin, American Door Works’ in-person showroom is a great place to start. See the designs, materials, colors, and options up close and personal.
Contact us today and we’ll help you find the perfect door for your home!
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