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by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for The House Designers
When it comes time to select a garage door, you have all sorts of decisions to make. One of the biggest is which material to invest in. Not only does this affect the overall look of the garage door, but it also determines the options available to you and any maintenance needs going forward. Here’s how the most common garage door materials compare!
Steel
If you’re looking for a good all-around door, you can’t go wrong with steel. This popular option offers tons of flexibility—you’ll find a number of classic panel, carriage house, and modern designs, and many let you choose between one-, two-, and three-layer base construction. This allows you to build to your budget and practical needs. One-layer garage doors are comprised of an outward facing steel skin and are an affordable way to increase curb appeal. Foam insulation is offered as a second layer to increase R-value and durability, and to minimize any sound caused by shaking and rattling as the door opens and closes. The third layer is another steel skin to sandwich the insulation from the inside, if you want. Whether you have your eye on a painted or wood-look finish, you have plenty of steel garage doors to consider.
Aluminum & Glass
Perfect for contemporary curb appeal and brightening the garage, aluminum and glass doors are often found on modern façades as well as rear-facing walls of homes of any style. They allow tons of natural light inside, and they’re the top choice for giving the garage backyard access for that reason—just imagine how much easier it could be to store and bring out toys and equipment when you can actually see everything. And due to their simple panel-in-grid construction, these doors are favored for extra-large openings—think RVs and boats—because the top sections of other door designs can look imbalanced and out of proportion as they get taller. Aluminum and glass garage doors have plenty of finishing options including insulated frames and tempered or insulated glass, and you can also select the color that works for your style, of course!
Faux Wood
Most homeowners want low-maintenance products that don’t require special care, but they also want their homes to look a certain way. Those who yearn for the appeal of wood on the garage will be happy with the authentic woodgrain textures and colors available in faux wood! Paint alone can replicate the look of wood surprisingly well, but composite cladding and overlays add additional dimension. Faux wood garage doors come in traditional carriage house as well as chic modern styles, and because most feature insulated steel bases, they also offer great R-values. With a variety of factory finishes in light, medium, and dark tones—or the chance to customize a primed surface, if you prefer—you’re sure to find a beautiful complement for your exterior scheme.
Natural Wood
Wood garage doors may not be as popular as they once were, but they still have a lot to offer! Aside from the natural, organic aspect that other materials lack, wood is unique in its customizability. It’s easy to work with—lumber doesn’t have manufacturing limits like metals and composites—so if you want a truly one-of-a-kind garage door, look no further. You can specify the wood species and stain or paint, and professionals can even take a drawing to create a custom design nobody else has. The possibilities are unlimited, so even the most discerning are sure to find—or conceive—something they love in this category.
If you’re in the market for new garage doors, explore the options available from Clopay®. With a diverse collection and ample opportunity to make each your own with a variety of finishing features, your garage doors can do wonders for curb appeal. There’s no need to settle for a basic look—find a local dealer who can help you outfit your home to perfection!