If you are considering installing a new garage door, whether for a first-time homeowner or to replace an outdated one, you probably know there are different materials to choose from. Each garage door material has pros and cons; understanding them is imperative in helping you make the right selection for your residential or commercial property.
Garage Door Materials: The Pros and Cons
If you’re looking for a new garage door, there are a variety of styles and materials to choose from. Consider which garage door material is best for your house and needs.
Think About These Features Before Making Your Decision:
Durability: A garage door protects the valuables inside your garage and home. Consider a sturdy garage door material that can withstand moisture or insect damage, especially in a humid climate.
Energy efficiency: Insulated garage doors can help block unpleasant air drafts, regulate the temperature of your home, and save money on energy costs.
Aesthetic appeal: Garage doors make up a large percentage of your home’s exterior. The suitable garage door material can enhance your home’s curb appeal.
Cost: Weigh the short-term and long-term costs and savings to help determine which garage door materials are best for your home.
Steel Garage Doors
All climates
Steel is one of the most common garage door materials due to its durability and affordability.
A steel garage door can provide you with a level of durability and security you can’t get from other garage door materials. Steel is a sturdy material that can enhance your garage’s security and resist Mother Nature’s power. Thanks to that durability, you get a door that requires less maintenance.
Pros of Steel Garage Doors
- Strength and security
- Energy-efficient
- Low maintenance
- Variety of styles
- Budget-friendly
Cons of Steel Garage Doors
- Susceptibility to rust
- Not a natural insulator
- Subject to corrosion in salty environments
Wood Garage Doors
Mild, dry climates
Wood is often the second-most popular option for garage doors. Wood doors have existed since the very early days of garage door use.
Wood is preferred over other materials because of its aesthetic appeal. It gives your garage door a unique and distinguished look, and it can be customized to fit any style or design you want.
Pros of Wood Garage Doors
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Customization
- Good insulation
- Repairability
Cons of Wood Garage Doors
- Higher maintenance
- Cost
- Vulnerability to weather
- Can crack, warp, swell, or rot
- Shorter lifespan
Aluminum Garage Doors
All Climates; However, Eextreme Heat can Reduce Durability
This material is somewhat similar to steel, and many property owners use it as an alternative. Aluminum offers similar advantages to steel but at a lower price. It is strong, long-lasting, and, thanks to aluminum’s natural resistance, does not rust.
Aluminum doors are also perfect for fitting with many glass window options, which allow more natural light into the garage and give a home a beautiful contemporary look.
However, aluminum is lighter than steel. Because it’s lighter, aluminum is more likely to dent and does not last as long as steel, especially in areas with high wind speeds.
Pros of Aluminum Garage Doors
- Lightweight
- Low maintenance
- Modern aesthetics
- Cost-effective option
- Large glass windows allow maximum light to go into the garage
Cons of Aluminum Garage Doors
- Not fully waterproof
- Poor insulation
- Less privacy when fitted with glass windows
- Less durable
Fiberglass Garage Doors
Warm, Humid Climates
Though uncommon, fiberglass material is best for garage doors fitted in highly salty areas such as beachfront properties. Fiberglass panels are extremely durable, more dent-resistant than steel, and highly resistant to corrosion or rust.
Their high resistance to corrosion makes fiberglass a perfect option for coastal properties. In addition, fiberglass requires almost zero maintenance. However, it is a poor insulator and may fade due to long exposure to the sun.
Pros of Fiberglass Garage Doors
- Durability
- Lightweight
- Low maintenance
- Won’t contract or expand from temperature changes
- Resistant to warping, shrinking, or corroding due to moisture
Cons of Fiberglass Garage Doors
- Fiberglass is brittle and is more susceptible to damage
- Will often crack and develop a yellow tint with age
- Cost
- May not provide the same level of insulation
Vinyl Garage Doors
Vinyl is quickly becoming one of the most popular garage door materials. This is because it offers the best of both worlds between wood and steel. It provides the charm of wood with the affordability and durability of steel. Vinyl garage doors can be a good choice for a variety of climates, including coast regions, humid summers, and extreme weather:
- Coastal regions: Vinyl is resistant to salt air, wind, and sand and can withstand coastal storms. It’s also a good alternative to wood, which can warp or rot in humid conditions.
- Humid summers: Vinyl is maintenance-free and won’t rust, fade, or dent.
- Extreme weather: Vinyl can handle low temperatures, high moisture, and freeze/thaw cycles. However, vinyl may become brittle and crack if forcefully impacted in extremely cold climates. To help prevent this, you can ensure the door is insulated.
Pros of Vinyl Garage Doors
- Cost Effective
- Durable
- Low Maintenance
- Resistant to Dents, Cracks and Rust
- Weather resistance
Cons of Vinyl Garage Doors
- It only comes in light colors because darker colors will fade.
- You are stuck with your chosen color as the same color goes through the garage door.
Benefits of Commercial Garage Door Maintenance
All Commercial Doors will eventually need maintenance. Garage maintenance is crucial in keeping your garage door operating safely and reliably for years to come, especially for a business. Regular maintenance performed by our technicians [...]
Common Commercial Garage Door Issues
Engineered for excellence, Overhead Door™ Brand boasts a complete selection of performance- and safety-tested commercial and industrial doors, including rolling-steel garage doors. Yet without proper maintenance or inspection, commercial doors can still have issues. [...]
What’s The Difference Between Openers?
Robust, quiet, and durable, Overhead Door® automatic garage door openers are designed for performance. The entire line features a variety of power levels and specifications to handle different garage door weights and sizes. Many [...]
Fun Ways to Decorate Your Garage Door
Can you believe it? Is it that time of year again? The Holiday Season is upon us, and homeowners are starting to decorate for Halloween. Here are Fun Ways to Decorate Your Garage Door [...]
Garage Doors for Different Climates
Before you select a new garage door for your home or business, there are several factors that you need to consider. These include the color of the garage door, its aesthetic appeal, durability, and [...]
Common Garage Door Service Calls
Common Garage Door Service Calls - As the largest moving object in most homes, the garage door has several moving parts that must be properly maintained to ensure many years of trouble-free operation. And [...]
Curb Appeal with Garage Landscaping
Upgrading the appearance of your garage doors is a significant first step in creating a more attractive home, Once your new custom garage doors have been installed, boost your Home’s Curb Appeal with Garage [...]
Reasons to Buy a Steel Garage Door
Reasons to Buy a Steel Garage Door: Every one of our residential steel garage doors is attractive and will enhance any home. They are available in various unique designs and engineered for superior performance. [...]
Reasons to Buy a Carriage House Garage Door
Garage doors have undergone many changes in the last decades, and new styles have emerged! One of the most popular garage doors from Overhead Door ™ is the Carriage House Steel and Wood Garage [...]
Reasons to Buy a Wood Garage Door
There are many ways you can upgrade your home to reflect your style. One thing you can personalize is your garage door. Homeowners overlook their garage doors when refreshing their home’s curb appeal. Reasons [...]
Reasons to Buy a Modern Garage Door
Modern Garage Doors offer contemporary designs that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home. They are characterized by clean lines and minimalistic features and often use materials such as aluminum and glass or [...]
Reasons to Buy a Thermacore® Garage Door
At Overhead Door Company of Southern California™, we take great pride in offering the most efficient garage doors in the industry, and our Thermacore® garage doors are no different. Reasons to Buy a Thermacore® [...]
Call us Today at (858) 264-3650
Overhead Door Company of Southern California™ – 12215 Kirkham Road Suite 200, Poway, CA 92064
Call Us Today at (858) 264-3650
Or Email us on the Form Below.
Business Hours: Monday – Friday 7 AM–4 PM
Call us Today at
(858) 264-3650
Or Send us an Email.