Wood Garage Door Advantages and Disadvantages

It’s been a long time coming, and finally, time to replace your garage door. There are so many options to enhance your home’s curb appeal to choose from! Manufacturers make garage doors from many types of materials including aluminum, steel, fiberglass, vinyl, and wood. In this post, we’ll explore wood garage doors to see if this is the best choice for you. Hopefully, you’ll get an idea of what they are and what they are not after reading.

Why a Wood Garage Door?

Wood garage doors are popular because of their visual appeal, customization, and durability. Excellent visuals and customization are the best perks of a wood garage door. Because manufacturers build wood doors piece by piece, you can have a wood garage door custom-designed to fit your taste and your home. However, wood doors cost more to maintain, require yearly maintenance and are a bit costlier than steel doors. Keep in mind, that the wood doors we’re discussing here are not to be mistaken with wood doors made in the 1980s-1990s (white with squares).

So, What Are the Advantages?

• Wood garage doors are beautiful – Classic wood doors truly are beautiful and authentic. You can choose the type of wood you want, and also the stain and design. Some popular wood designs are carriage style, traditional, or contemporary. However, within these categories, you have plenty of room for unique customizations.
• Variety of prices – Prices for wood doors range from mid-price to very expensive. Manufacturers make the least expensive options from a lightweight wooden frame. They then fill it with insulation and wrap it in a plywood or hardboard skin. The more expensive are frame-and-panel doors made of mahogany, hemlock, redwood, or cedar. The quality of wood and different wood grains will also impact the price.
• Custom-made any way you prefer – You can have a door custom-made so it stands out. You can incorporate any design and have it custom-made to your liking. In particular, historical homes usually opt for wood garage doors to compliment the home’s timeless design.
• Dent-proof unlike a steel or aluminum door – Wood doors don’t dent. If you’re concerned about damaging your door, say, with active children, a wood door is a good choice because of its durability.

And the Disadvantages?

• High maintenance – Wood garage doors require regular upkeep and maintenance. You must stain or paint them every two years to keep a fresh look.
• Not durable against water – If the door isn’t water-sealed regularly, it can bow, become damaged, or rot.
• Costs more – Because wood doors must be custom-made to fit your home, they will cost more than a steel door. You’ll have to account for time to order it and have it built because these doors aren’t available at local home improvement stores.
• Insulation issues – Insulation might be a problem with wood doors. Manufacturers build some doors from solid wood. This gives you a 2-inch thick construction and some insulation. On the other hand, some builders make doors from a lightweight wooden frame. They then fill it with insulation and wrap it in plywood or hardboard skin.

In many cases, a wood garage door is absolutely worth the investment because of its appearance and curb appeal. No one on the block will have one like yours! But, if the “to do” list for upkeep frightens you, a better choice might be a steel or aluminum door. Either way, Aaron Overhead Doors can help you get the new garage door you want and guide you on the best material for your home.

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