Discover the pros & cons of wood, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass garage doors.
So you’ve decided you want to update your old creaky garage door, or perhaps you’re building and need to plan your garage.
Maybe you’re a little bit nervous – the garage door is a big investment that makes a huge impact on the overall appearance of your house, so which material should you invest in?
Refreshing an old door can go a long way to making your house a snazzy stand out in your street. One of the factors to consider as part of your design decision is the material you want for the door and there are a few different types to consider.
Wood
Benefits - Wood is striking, classy and great for creating an atmosphere of elegance for the outside of your home, and can even be customised to complement the architecture.
Cons - Wood is one of the hardest materials to maintain, as it is vulnerable to splitting, peeling and damage from the elements and requires more frequent repainting and refinishing. It will require a lot of maintenance and has a shorter life span overall. It is also generally one of the more expensive options.
Steel
Pros - Steel is a favourite choice for homeowners as it is both durable and cost effective. Steel doors are available in many styles and design options that you can match to suit the appearance of your home. A practical and low maintenance option, it is not surprising that this is a popular choice.
Cons - Steel doors are however poor insulators, so if you need to keep your garage energy efficient (such as if your garage is attached to your home) you will need to consider additional insulation options. Low quality steel will be vulnerable to rust and dents.
Aluminium
Pros - This is a good budget option for those with smaller purses, sharing many of the qualities of steel doors for a lower cost.
Cons - That lower cost is however replicated in the durability as aluminium doors are more vulnerable to dents than steel.
Fibreglass
Pros –Fibre glass doors are rust proof, are unlikely to dent and require little maintenance, and their resistance to corrosion is why they are commonly found in coastal homes.
Cons – Fibreglass is a very poor insulator and can become brittle with age and in the cold.
For garage door replacement and repair, see your Look Local WA garage door directory.
