Your home’s garage door serves several crucial purposes. It protects your home from intruders, keeps your vehicles safe from the elements, and may even provide a climate-controlled workspace for your projects. For these reasons, it’s important to choose a door that’s durable and strong. This isn’t the only thing that you need to think about, though. Garage doors also add a great deal to the appearance of your home. They have a significant impact on curb appeal and can act as the essential finishing touch in the overall style of your house.
When choosing a garage door, it’s important to find the right combination of functionality and affordability. You want a door that is reasonable in price, requires minimal maintenance, and has a long lifespan. Here’s what you need to know as you shop.
Wood Garage Doors
Image via Flickr by Jeremy Levine Design
Wood garage doors are easily customized with paint or stains to give you the appearance that you’re seeking. This classic garage door material is often chosen for its timeless look and traditional feel. However, wood requires more care than other materials, so you’ll need to be prepared for an ongoing investment of time and effort to keep your garage door in good condition. Wood doesn’t last as long as other garage door materials. This means that you’ll need to pay for a replacement door sooner when you choose this option. You may also pay a higher price upfront.
Faux Wood Composite Doors
Faux wood composite doors are more affordable than wood and eliminate many of the problems inherent with this material. These doors are typically made from high-density fiberboard with polystyrene insulation. They’re more moisture-resistant than real wood but offer the same appearance and can typically be painted or stained. A faux wood door requires less maintenance than real wood and lasts longer.
Steel Garage Doors
A steel garage door can take on a variety of appearances and is one of the most versatile choices where design is concerned. You can even get a steel door that looks like wood to enjoy the best of all worlds. Steel is a good choice if you want a low-maintenance garage door. You won’t need to refinish it as often as you would with wood, but you should be mindful of scratches, as these will make the door susceptible to rust. Steel is one of the cheapest options when it comes to garage doors.
Aluminum Garage Doors
Aluminum is a lightweight and low-maintenance option that’s surprisingly durable for its composition. Aluminum conducts heat and cold well, so it’s best in mild climates. If you experience extreme temperatures, aluminum won’t do much to keep these from seeping into your garage. While aluminum garage doors offer less customization than steel, they still provide a neat, modern look that’s perfect for contemporary homes. Aluminum is pricier than steel, so you should expect to pay a premium for this material.
Garage Door Brands
When you’re shopping for the best value, it’s important to know what each garage door brand has to offer. Many brands specialize in a particular area, such as customization or durability. Understanding the highlights of these manufacturers will help you find those that provide the best value in the areas that matter the most, whether that’s an elegant finish or a strong material that will resist dents and scratches from the kids.
Clopay
Clopay has 13 residential series, so you can easily customize your garage door style. One of the largest manufacturers in the country, it’s a well-known favorite in the industry. Clopay has a variety of durable faux wood doors that offer outstanding value. Their Ultra-Grain finish for steel garage doors is a particularly stunning choice.
C.H.I. Overhead Doors
If you’re interested in personalization, C.H.I. Overhead Doors is the best choice for your needs. They allow you to customize the color, style, and windows on nearly any type of door, so you can create a perfectly customized piece that’s just right for your home’s style.
Wayne Dalton
Wayne Dalton has a variety of garage door options, including aluminum, steel, and wood, as well as fiberglass and vinyl. Their Designer Fiberglass garage door is the best choice for a faux wood look. This option just needs a clear coat every one to three years to retain its beauty and appeal.
Amarr Garage Doors
Amarr specializes in traditional, carriage-style, and specialty garage doors. When you’re purchasing from Amarr, you’ll enjoy an eco-friendly installation: The company’s products are made with up to 90% recycled materials. Insulation and noise reduction are key points for this manufacturer as well, so you’ll often get superior performance for your investment, adding to the value.
Haas Door
Haas uses locally sourced materials for its garage doors, so you’ll enjoy products that are more environmentally friendly when you purchase from this manufacturer. With eight product lines to choose from, there’s something suited to any home or budget. Haas focuses on aluminum and steel doors with a wide range of styles to choose from.
Ideal Door
Ideal Door Garage Doors offers steel and aluminum options. The Ultra Grain finish available on the steel panel doors easily mimics the look of wood. You can also choose a handcrafted five-layer steel door with a faux wood overlay. This offers a more elegant appearance, but it comes with a higher price tag as well.
If you’re in the market for a new garage door installation, our experienced team members at Overhead Garage Door can help! We’re available to provide expert recommendations for your next door to make sure you find a product that offers great value for your needs. Contact us now to get started on your next garage door project.