Choosing the Best Garage Door Material

There are several different options when choosing a garage door material. Steel, wood, aluminum, wood composite, vinyl, glass, and fiberglass are some of the most common materials used. Each of these materials may appeal to you for a variety of reason. Are you trying to upgrade the look of your garage?  Before choosing a material, you need to consider factors such as the environment that your home is located in. The weather, climate, and aesthetic that you’re going for can help you determine which garage door material is best for you.



This article will address some of the pros and cons of each garage door material. From there you make informed decisions about the material that you want to use for your garage door.

Wood

Let’s start with wood. Wood is the oldest type of material found in garage doors. It's a classic choice. Wood is elegant and for those of you who enjoy a traditional aesthetic, owning a garage door made of wood might be an excellent choice. As far as beauty is concerned, there’s no doubt that wood is among the best choices for garage door materials. However, there are some considerations to take into account when it comes to the practicality of a wooden garage. For instance, all wood is not created equal. Cedarwood is a type of wood that tends to hold up better in warm, dry climates. Redwood, tends to work in more humid climates better than other types of wood. You’ll want to make sure that the wood you choose makes sense given the environment that your home is located in. Whichever wood you choose, you’ll need to stain it. When stained, wood tends to assume a different color depending on the type of wood, so you’ll want to take that into consideration. Work with manufacturers to determine which wood and finish will best match your house or your desired look. Do you want your garage to be insulated? Although wood is very easy on the eyes, it’s not the best material for insulating your garage. Depending on how you use your garage, insulation may or may not be a factor that you want to consider. However, if insulation is important, wood probably wouldn't be the best material for your garage door.

Steel

Steel is probably among the most popular choices for a garage door material. It’s inexpensive, low-maintenance and highly customizable. It works well regardless of climate and you can even add a finish to it so looks like real wood. The durability and insulation of your garage door will depend on the type and thickness of the steel that you invest in. The thickness of the steel that you use in your garage door will influence its durability. Steel is measured in gauges. Less expensive steel is typically going to be 27- or 28-gauge steel. The lower the number, the thicker the steel will be and the more durable your garage will be.



In addition to thicker steel, you can also have your steel garage doors insulated. Manufacturers are able to put insulation in between the layers of galvanized steel that typically come in a garage door. If you don’t have an insulated steel garage door, then steel itself does not typically serve as a strong insulator.

Aluminum

In terms of style versatility, aluminum is very similar to steel. Aluminum doors are popular because they’re typically one of the least expensive options for garage doors. One of the biggest problems with choosing aluminum for your garage door is its durability. Aluminum is typically not as durable as steel. It is easily dented and doesn't work as a good insulator.

Wood Composite

Wood composite is a material that’s manufactured using recycled wood fibers. The benefit of using composite wood is that it offers you the strength and durability of steel, with the look and aesthetic of wood. Wood composite could be a great option for you if you like the aesthetic of a wood garage, but you like in a climate that isn’t ideal for wood. Wood composite is much less susceptible to rotting or weathering that wood.

Glass

A glass garage can give your house a very modern, chic aesthetic. If your house is located in a scenic area then a glass garage door gives you an excellent opportunity to look outside at the beautiful world from your garage door. If you spend lots of time in your garage and you’d like to enjoy some natural sunlight, then again, the glass might be a great option for you. There are different types of glass that you can choose and some are more durable than others. Glass may not be an optimal garage door material if you live near neighbors with kids who play ball. If you're looking for something durable and well insulated, glass won't be a good choice for you.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a very popular material in coastal locations. It’s more saltwater resistant than some other garage door materials and it does a decent job of keeping your garage cool in warm weather. It’s more durable than thin steel and so it’s a fairly practical option. It’s inexpensive and it’s also highly customizable. The one thing to consider with fiberglass is that the finish can fade sometimes due to weather exposure.

Vinyl

Similar to fiberglass, vinyl is a great material for people who live in coastal areas. Vinyl is saltwater resistant and it’s also fairly resistant to rain and wind. Additionally vinyl tends to be a surprisingly good insulator and it’s also fairly durable. Vinyl is a highly customizable and fairly inexpensive option. If you don’t need the most durable or most insulated or most expensive garage door material, vinyl might be the right choice for you.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Home

Ultimately, you have to consider the environment that your home is located in and the type of aesthetic that you’d like to create from your home. You should also consider how you’re going to use your garage and what functions you want your garage door to perform. Finally, you should take the budget into consideration before choosing a garage door material. The right custom garage and garage size can be a call away if you go with Danley's. If your garage is ready for an update, choose Chicago's garage experts. Take the first step to a new garage and get a free quote with from Danley's today. With over 100,000 garages built, you can trust us to get the job done right.