A Guide to Choosing the Best Garage Door Material

Steel garage doors are the most popular choice amongst US homeowners, and for good reason! Steel is a highly durable material that is relatively easy to maintain, and a door made of this material won’t break the bank! 

The customization options for steel garage doors are nearly limitless. You can choose from numerous door styles, designs, paint colors, and hardware options. 

However, standard steel doors are not great insulators, so consider adding extra insulation layers to accommodate this.

Glass garage doors are popular amongst homeowners seeking a modern or contemporary aesthetic. Full-view glass garage doors are stunning, and with plenty of glass options, you can still enjoy as much privacy as you’d like.

Most glass doors are accompanied by an aluminum frame. Additional insulation can be added to the door frame or within the glass panels with specialized coatings and gasses to reduce temperature fluctuations in the garage. 

Be aware that glass garage doors are extremely cumbersome. This added weight, even with the support of a lightweight aluminum frame, adds to the cost of the initial installation. Are they worth it? 100%, yes!

If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly option, an aluminum garage door is the way to go. This garage door material is the least expensive compared to all the other door materials, and it still offers a plethora of design options. 

It’s the lightest material available for garage doors, making installation and ongoing maintenance a breeze. This lightweight material also reduces the risk of needing garage door opener repair since the opener doesn’t have to work as hard.

On the flip side, aluminum doors are more prone to denting than other robust materials. If the lower cost of aluminum garage doors is enticing, but you’re worried about dented panels, don’t worry! Coney’s Garage Doors offers garage door panel replacements near Conway, AR and Little Rock, AR, to ensure your garage doors remain structurally sound.

Wood garage doors land on the opposite end of the spectrum compared to aluminum doors regarding weight, required maintenance, and cost. The beauty and charm of wood garage doors are undeniable! With custom designs and overlays in various wood grain finishes, this garage door material is guaranteed to wow your friends, family, and neighbors. 

Wood is a natural insulator, so this garage door material is an excellent option for homeowners prioritizing energy efficiency. Wood is more susceptible to the elements, however, and requires much more maintenance and regular upkeep than other materials.

As the heaviest material for garage doors, the cost of installing and maintaining wood garage doors comes with the most expensive price tag, but as the saying goes, “You get what you pay for,” and wood garage doors are no exception! 

If you love the look of wood garage doors but need a more affordable option, faux wood garage doors are an excellent option! Usually made of steel and covered with a wood composite, these doors offer customizable wood overlays that give the appearance of a real wood door.

Faux wood garage doors come in any style, including modern, traditional, and carriage house doors. They are versatile, affordable, and easier to maintain than real wood garage doors.

Although sturdy and reliable, this garage door material is more susceptible to denting and panel damage than real wood doors. Keep this in mind when deciding which material is right for you.