A Guide to Choosing the Right Garage Door Material

Whether you’re purchasing your first garage door or looking to replace an existing one, it can be a difficult decision. People might be surprised at how many options you have to consider. Though all garage doors serve essentially the same function, they can vary dramatically in appearance as well as in their unique strengths. Choosing a garage door material doesn’t need to be overwhelming. This guide from Green Eagle Garage Door Company can help you make the best choice for you and your home.

Steel Garage Doors

Steel is one of the most popular materials for garage doors. The material is popular due to its design flexibility, durability, and overall value. Steel garage doors are available in an endless number of design options and provide a cheaper, more practical alternative to natural wood.

Advantages of steel garage doors:

·         Durable: Steel is an exceptionally strong and durable material, especially when it is galvanized or otherwise coated to protect it against rust. When it’s coated, it can hold up against the elements outside without warping or cracking.

·         Affordable: Steel is also one of the more affordable options for garage doors, though it costs more than aluminum. A variety of factors, including size, style, and the features of your garage door.

·         Low-Maintenance: Steel garage doors are also low-maintenance, especially when compared with wood. If your door is painted, you may want to repaint it periodically to maintain a fresh appearance. Otherwise, it doesn’t require much ongoing attention to maintain.

Disadvantages of steel garage doors:

·         Rust: Since steel is a metal, it’s inherently prone to rust and corrosion when exposed to the elements. However, garage door manufacturers understand how to prevent steel from rusting or corroding. Most steel is galvanized, meaning it is dipped in molten zinc, which leaves it with a protective coating.

·         Dents: Metal is susceptible to denting, too. This is especially true for thinner or more malleable metals, including aluminum. To reduce your garage door’s risk of denting if it’s impacted by your car, a baseball, or any other force, opt for lower gauge steel, such as 25 or below.

·         Insulation: Steel is a better insulator than wood, but it still isn’t a good insulator on its own. steel isn’t a good insulator by itself, you can choose a garage door model that includes insulation between the layers of steel.

Cedar Garage Doors

Cedar garage doors provide any exterior with a sense of timeless elegance. As a renewable resource, cedar offers a more eco-friendly option to consider when purchasing a new garage door. Cedar garage doors are an excellent option for homeowners wanting a custom, unique look.

Cedar garage doors are best suited for mild climates. In addition to the higher upfront cost of a cedar garage door, it is also important to consider the cost of the maintenance required to preserve these doors. Without proper, regular maintenance, a cedar door will begin to fade, rot, warp, or chip.

 

Advantages of cedar garage doors:

·         Beautiful: Homeowners are typically drawn to cedar garage doors because of their timeless charm. Unlike more modern building materials, cedar can fit in seamlessly with more rustic or classical architectural styles.

·         Eco-Friendly: Since cedar is a renewable resource and has a long life cycle, it’s an exceptionally eco-friendly material. You may also be able to recycle metal and fiberglass when it comes time to replace your garage door.

·         Long-lasting: Wood is also a strong, durable material, as long as it’s properly maintained. Centuries-old log cabins attest to the fact that well-preserved wood can last through the ages. While your garage door likely won’t last centuries, it could last for decades.

Disadvantages of cedar garage doors:

·         Cost: The main drawback of wood doors for most homeowners is the cost. Wood garage doors are a higher-end option that tends to cost more than even the priciest steel doors, but they can be a great investment.

·         Maintenance: Wood requires more maintenance than metal. Since wood is a porous material, it needs to be treated regularly to seal it from moisture that could cause it to rot.

·         Insulation: One thing metal and cedar garage doors have in common is that they’re not very effective insulators. Cedar offers even less insulation than steel. Cedar garage doors can be outfitted with a layer of insulation, which will help your garage maintain a mild internal temperature.

Proper installation, servicing, and repair of a garage door are critical for the functioning of a garage. Individuals looking to get their garage doors installed, repaired, or serviced can check out Green Eagle Garage Door Company’s website. The company has a team of experienced technicians who provide exceptional services at competitive prices.