A great residential garage door boosts your curb appeal, complements your home’s aesthetics, and makes you smile when you come home at the end of a long day. Garage doors are available in a range of materials, each of which carries their own pros and cons. Here’s what homeowners should know to help narrow down their selection.

Types of Residential Garage Door Materials

1. Wood & Wood Composite

Beautiful and durable, wood and wood-composite doors are eye-catching — but they can carry a higher price tag than other materials. Additionally, wood requires frequent refinishing, which isn’t ideal if you’re looking for a low-maintenance material.

2. Steel

Steel garage doors are strong, affordable, low-maintenance, and endlessly customizable. It’s important to note that steel isn’t a great insulator, so if you want to use your garage as a living area or office, you should opt for a thicker steel material or look for a door that is designed with extra insulation.

3. Aluminum

Aluminum is similar to steel in the sense that is durable and affordable, but it is also extremely lightweight, which makes it a great choice for extra-wide double door garages. However, aluminum is more likely to dent, so you may want to opt for a model with heavy-duty frames.

4. Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors are encased in aluminum frames and can be painted to mimic any material. Fiberglass also offers greater resistance to dents than steel does, but it can yellow over time in colder environments. You should only consider fiberglass if you live in a coastal area.

5. Vinyl

In comparison to other materials, vinyl doors are exceedingly difficult to dent or break. However, they are available in fewer colors and designs, so this material isn’t ideal if you have a specific style in mind.

 

Before you select your door, speak with a representative at a local garage door company to get a better idea of your options. They’ll be able to guide you through the selections that work with your home, your budget, and your lifestyle. Whether you need a residential garage door or commercial garage door repair, you can trust the team at Central Garage Door. Based in Columbia, MO, they have been in business for over 32 years, and they pride themselves on their competitive pricing and excellent customer service. To learn more about their garage installation, repair, and maintenance services, call (573) 886-7810, or visit them online to view their gallery of past work.