If you’ve had a home, townhome, or condo, the chances that you’ve had a garage are pretty high. Even if you’ve never had one yourself, a garage is something you can recognize quite easily. The structures are pretty standard in today’s world and are iconic symbols of suburban living. Residential garages also make great storage facilities, party dens, and store fronts during garage sales. But have you ever wondered what those garage doors are made from? G Brothers Garage Doors, the top-rated garage repair, replacement, and installation experts in Lakewood, have taken the guesswork of garage door materials away with this blog. In this article, we’ll tell you about all the different kinds of garage doors and show you which ones may be best for your home’s style.
Steel Garage Doors
One of the more popular garage door materials on our list, steel garage doors offer a multitude of advantages. Typically made from two or more layers of galvanized metal, steel adorns many homes in the form of a garage door. One of the most durable materials, steel provides peace of mind for those that have kids or are prone to garage door accidents. Though problems with older steel may still exist, modern steel is quite rust-proof. With proper maintenance and some love, your steel garage doors will last a long time. Steel door are also very versatile as you can get them in just about any style or color. Compared to other materials we’ll go over, steel is one of the more affordable options on this list.
There are downsides to steel, however. Though they stand up well to heavy forces, steel doors are known to dent. They are also subject to corrosion when not properly maintained and when they’re in coastal areas. But other than these reasons, steel doors are always a viable option when you’re looking for a new garage door.
Wood Garage Doors
You’ll notice one of the biggest advantages of wooden garage doors quite easily. Wood doors are amazingly beautiful, especially if you go for the more luxurious woods like mahogany, redwood, or high-end cedar. You can also stain and design the wood however you wish to create a truly custom garage door for your home. Unlike metal garage doors, wooden doors won’t dent when hit with hockey pucks, soccer balls, or the occasional love tap from the end of your car. When maintained and treated properly, wooden garage doors will always look amazing and usually won’t warp due to climate and weathering.
There are some major disadvantages to owning a wood garage door though. For instance, in order for them to last a long time you’ll have to stay on top of their regular maintenance, especially those in more humid or stormy climates. If you don’t maintain your wood garage door then water damage can occur, causing warping or even rot. Wood doors are also quite expensive compared to the other materials on this list. Insulation is also another problem with wooden garage doors. Though cheaper options usually contain insulation wrapped in a lightweight, wood frame covered in plywood, the more expensive varieties are typically just a couple inches of solid wood. These don’t provide much in terms of insulation, though customizations can be made.
Vinyl Garage Doors
One of the best all-around options on this list are vinyl garage doors. They are very affordable, especially compared to their wooden and steel counterparts. Vinyl doors are nearly kid proof, meaning they can’t be scratched or dented unless you really try to do so. They are highly energy efficient as most vinyl doors come with a layer of insulation, helping keep the right temperature in your home. They are incredibly low maintenance compared to the other options so far, only requiring a good cleaning every now and then. You can also customize your vinyl garage with many different design options available.
Though there aren’t many disadvantages to vinyl garage doors, there are a few that need to be noted. Even though they are resistant to small damages, vinyl doors don’t hold up to the same forces that steel garage doors can. So they’ll stand up to the everyday bumps and bruises, but they won’t quite cut it when faced with heavier damage. Though they can be customized, they are somewhat limited in their color options.
Other Garage Door Options
- Wood Composite Garage Doors
- Aluminum Garage Doors
- Fiberglass Garage Doors
- Glass Garage Doors
Everyone here at G Brothers Garage Doors hopes you’ve found this blog to be helpful. If you’re looking for a new garage door in Lakewood or the surrounding areas, we’re the perfect garage door company for you. From electric garage doors, to manual garage doors, and everything in between, we’ll be able to fix, replace, or install any kind of garage door. Learn more about G Brothers Garage Doors, see what kind of garage door services we can provide, or contact G Brothers today to get a free quote for your next project.