If it’s time to buy a new garage door or you’re looking for an update to your home or business, you’re probably considering which material would best suit your needs. Overhead doors come in a range of materials, and each one has its advantages and disadvantages. In order to make the right decision, you should write a list of what is essential to you. Lists help you make the right choice when purchasing.
Garage Door Materials
Steel
Steel is a popular choice when it comes to commercial properties, as they work out cheaper. Steel is strong and resilient, making it an excellent choice for those opening their door multiple times. Steel is available in a wide range of designs and can easily be fitted with insulation to increase the R-value. The R-value allows your home or commercial property to keep the room cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Insulation helps to reduce outside noise, making it pleasant to stay in your garage or business.
Even though there aren’t many, the main disadvantage is that it is prone to dents. Furthermore, without the insulation added, steel won’t keep the heat in or out.
Wood
Wood is most people’s go-to material for garage doors and homes. People like the fact that the door will set them apart from the rest. You can take a bucket of paint and make the door any color or design. If you decide to change something about your home or business, you can change the paint color, and it will fit right in.
The downside to opting for wooden doors is that the paint does come off, and it starts to look tacky. You will need to paint them every so often to make sure they are looking at their best. If you experience hot weather, the doors might also expand. Once they have increased in size, it becomes difficult to close as they no longer fit in the allocated space. These doors also become expensive to provide the attention they need. If you are not ready to take on maintenance, this is not an option for you.
Aluminum
A lot of people opt for aluminum for its long-lasting properties. Not only is it corrosion resistant, but it’s affordable pricing makes it an attractive purchase. You could choose many different colors which suits your building or area.
The disadvantage of aluminum is lighter in weight than steel which means it dents easily. If you live in an area where you experience extreme weather conditions, this material is unlikely to withhold. Therefore, it could lead to breakages that are difficult to repair without the help of an expert. Aluminum doesn’t adapt well to different temperatures. Hence, you will need to add insulation to increase the R-value.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass has a lot to offer, even though it’s not most people’s first pick. You won’t wake up to noticing that your door has expanded beyond belief or that it has shrunk like wood. Fiberglass is useful if you live in humid climates. Another great advantage is that these doors are low maintenance compared with wood.
If you are situated near a beach or along the coastline, fiberglass is not suitable. Any harsh winds could cause damage to your overhead door and can be rather noisy. Once the door has an issue, you will need to install a brand new overhead door. Fiberglass is not a material that is repairable.
