Replacing your garage door is an important home improvement project that enhances your home’s curb appeal and makes your garage more secure. When selecting new garage doors, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right material. The material impacts the door’s durability, insulation, noise levels, maintenance needs, and cost. Here’s an overview of the most common garage door materials to help you determine which is best for your replacement project.
- Steel
Steel is the most popular and economical option for residential garage doors. These doors are constructed from galvanized steel sheets with insulation sandwiched between them. The steel itself is durable and resistant to dents and damage. Steel doors require less maintenance than wood and do not rot or warp like wood over time. The insulation in steel doors provides moderate insulation from weather and street noise. Steel doors come in many design options, like raised panels or flush surfaces, often mimicking the look of other materials at a lower cost. Customization with windows, decorative hardware, and faux wood textures is also available. While affordable, steel is not as naturally rust-resistant or impact-resistant as fiberglass or aluminum. The galvanized coating requires reapplication if it becomes scratched or damaged. Steel is a solid, versatile choice that fits most homeowners’ needs and budgets.
- Fiberglass
For increased durability, fiberglass garage doors are a popular upgrade from steel. Rather than being solid fiberglass, they consist of a core of polyurethane insulation bonded between two layers of ultra-strong glass fibers. It makes fiberglass doors extremely impact-resistant and able to withstand dents and damage from balls, rocks, and other hazards around the garage. Fiberglass has a similar look and feel to wood doors but requires much less maintenance. It will not rot or warp from moisture like wood. Fiberglass doors have excellent insulation properties to keep conditioned air in and weather out. They have a higher upfront cost than steel but are one of the longest-lasting options. For coastal climates or other high-moisture areas, fiberglass is an ideal choice to withstand environmental conditions.
- Wood
Wood was traditionally the most common garage door material. Cedar, fir, hemlock, and redwood are commonly used for their natural resistance to rot and insects. Wood doors offer a classic, natural aesthetic perfect for traditional home styles. Wood requires much more maintenance than other materials, needing regular staining or painting to prevent weathering. In wet or humid climates, constant moisture exposure causes wood doors to warp or rot over time. Wood doors come in different panel-style options. Higher-end custom wood doors are quite expensive but provide exceptional beauty and detail. For some homeowners, the high-quality craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal of wood outweigh the significant maintenance. Others prefer the lower maintenance of composites like fiberglass for the wood look without the hassle.
- Aluminum
Aluminum garage doors replacement in hamilton is constructed from heavy-gauge, rust-resistant aluminum. durability and resistance to weathering, aluminum is an ideal choice for coastal climates with heavy moisture exposure. Aluminum doors require minimal maintenance beyond occasional cleaning. It’s available with or without insulation. Uninsulated aluminum provides relatively poor insulation and energy efficiency. Insulated aluminum doors can have the same levels of insulation as steel and fiberglass. Aluminum also tends to be the most expensive option overall. The strength and sleek, modern look make it a great option for contemporary home styles.
