What Is The Best Material For Garage Doors?

Garage doors come in a variety of materials and styles, which results in many options to choose from. It’s important to invest in a high-quality garage door for the sake of longevity and convenience. Garage doors are used constantly as an entrance to your home, which means it’s crucial to find a garage door that will operate well and that matches your home’s style. It can also be easy to forget just how instrumental garage doors are in increasing curb appeal and complementing the home’s exterior. 

If you’re thinking about a new garage door installation, consider what the best garage door material choice will be. The material you choose will impact maintenance, budget, style, and longevity. All of these are crucial components to the process of purchasing a new garage door. Let’s review the major options for garage door materials and which one will best suit the needs of your home.

Steel Garage Doors

Steel is by far the most popular garage door material. It’s both durable and affordable, which makes it an excellent choice. Steel is also lightweight, which makes it easy to transport and repair. Steel garage doors typically come with a galvanized steel front and back. You can choose to add insulation between the steel layers, which we always recommend, as it will increase the door’s energy efficiency and help with noise and temperature regulation.

Maintenance: Steel garage doors require very little maintenance. Because they’re primed and painted, they’re built to last against rain and sun damage. Most steel doors will last 25-30 years, especially if they are three-layer doors. It’s worth it to invest in high-quality garage doors, as their longevity will make them worth the money. 

Budget: Steel garage doors typically start at around $650 for 8×7 garage doors. These doors can be widely customized, with different colors, decorative hardware, and insulation. Additions will increase the price but have a dramatic effect on the overall appearance of the door.

Style: Steel doors are available in traditional, modern, and carriage house styles. Most manufacturers offer a wide variety of color choices. It’s also common to add windows to steel garage doors for natural light and curb appeal.

Faux Wood Garage Doors

Faux wood garage doors are steel or aluminum doors paired with a wood-look finish. Most faux wood doors are steel, which gives the same benefits in terms of durability. Depending on the manufacturer, the wood finish will be printed on the door or a wood grain mold will be used to paint the surface.

Maintenance: One of the best benefits of faux wood doors is that they are low maintenance. As opposed to real wood, these doors just need annual garage door tune-ups, like normal steel doors. 

Budget: Faux wood garage doors do have a higher price tag compared to a standard steel doors. Depending on the size and finish of your door, you may pay anywhere from $5,000-$10,000.

Style: Faux wood garage doors can have a traditional, carriage house, or modern design. These doors can be transformed to fit the image you’d like. Carriage house faux wood doors are very common and can be fitted with windows and other hardware. With wood grains and paint finishes, you’ll have a variety of choices.

Wood Garage Doors

Wood garage doors are beautiful in a very classic, elegant style. They can greatly complement homes, especially farmhouses and other traditional styles. Wood garage doors are constructed completely out of wood, which is why they are more expensive and require heavier maintenance.

Maintenance: Wood garage doors must be maintained well, as otherwise the wood will rot or grow mold. It’s also important to consider your location before investing in a wood garage door. If you live in a humid, wet climate, a wood garage door is not a good choice. However, with the right upkeep, wood garage doors will typically last about 30 years. 

Budget: New wood garage doors may start at around $5000 for the base design. The price also depends on the wood grain and finish you choose, as well as if you add windows or decorative hardware.

Style: Contemporary, traditional, and custom doors are typically created from wood garage doors. Most manufacturers offer a wide variety of wood types and finishes.

Glass Garage Doors

Glass garage doors are modern and elegant, which has made them a popular choice in recent years. Glass doors are typically paired with aluminum frames for premium durability. You may find glass garage doors in residential homes and commercial properties. They’re extremely versatile, and can easily add a pop of style to any building.

Maintenance: Glass garage doors are heavy, which can add extra strain to the springs. They may need to be replaced sooner than springs on a steel door. That’s why we recommend scheduling annual garage door maintenance for glass garage doors. 

Budget: The price for glass garage doors can greatly vary because of the variety of styles and options. It’s common for prices to start around $2,000 and go up to $10,000 or more. 

Style: Glass garage doors are modern, typically featuring black aluminum frames against clear or frosted glass. You can choose the glass type, frame finish, and if you’d like any customization features. 

Ready for a New Garage Door?

Aaron Overhead Doors has years of experience handling new garage door installation. We install steel, wood, faux wood, and glass garage doors in Buford and Milton GA! If you have questions about new garage doors, contact us today! We provide free consultations and are happy to discuss your garage door options.