In this day and age, a garage is not only a place to shelter the vehicles. It can pull triple duty as a tool shed and workspace. Whether it is attached to the house or detached at a distance, your garage rarely sees a day without you passing through or staying a while. Its doors serve to protect its contents from the elements of the weather as well as thieves and vandals. Then, the garage door materials you select not only enhance the appearance of your property but also preserve the security of your valuable assets.
Broadly, garage door materials fall into three categories:
- Woods
- Metals
- Vinyl
Wood Doors
Wood is the oldest material used to make a garage door. In addition to its natural attractiveness, wood is well-suited to painting or staining. Its strength and durability depend on the kind of wood employed, and whether it is a hardwood or composite. The kind of wood is also a good predictor of the price paid. Many homeowners — with sufficient resources — opt for cedar because of its strong curb appeal as well as its capacity to stand up well against moisture and insects. A more affordable choice is plywood, to which contractors can add a hardwood veneer.
Metal Doors
Metal doors are generally composed of steel or aluminum; they enjoy widespread popularity relative to other garage door materials. Plus, the price is comparatively low when measured against other materials. Metal doors are low-maintenance and the aluminum option is of lighter weight — a benefit for those who opt for doors that open and close manually. While metals are easy to equip with insulation, they are also subject to the dents, dings, and damage that hasty drivers can cause. Steel doors suffer in coastal areas because of the corrosive effects of salt.
Vinyl Doors
In terms of maintenance, vinyl and fiberglass demand virtually no maintenance. This means that the cost of purchase is offset by the lack of expense incurred over time. Immune from warping or shrinking, these doors resist aging better than other garage door materials, though discoloration is not out of the question. Meanwhile, vinyl and fiberglass are light in weight and allow more sunlight to penetrate the garage. Because it is not the best in the insulation department, vinyl is most often present in warmer climates.
Contractor Options
Trying to balance these considerations when deciding on garage doors is daunting but not impossible. Utilize your contractor’s expertise in this area and make sure this business treats you with respect; is adequately insured; and is backed by strong references. Such technicians can match customer desires with budget constraints, future servicing prospects, and the overall appearance of your property.