When you decide to purchase a new garage door, you’re faced with a number of choices. One of the biggest decisions you will need to make is selecting the material of the door. There are many types of garage door materials and there are few things you should factor in when making a choice. Today we will cover some of the different materials garage door builders use and what to consider when purchasing a new door.

Wood
Wood was once the mainstay material of garage doors but has taken a backseat to newer, cheaper materials. Wood doors used to require a lot of maintenance and they would need to be repainted often. Today, longer lasting paint or stain makes this requirement less of a concern. Most wood doors are built with a hemlock frame and hardwood panels but custom wood doors are often made with douglas fir. While wood doors are pricier than their counterparts, they look great and are often the choice for high-end home builders.

Steel
The most popular choice for garage door builders these days is steel. Steel is a very strong, durable material and requires low maintenance. The face of a steel garage doors can be embossed to look like wood grain or have a smooth finish. Steel doors are often padded with insulation to help with weatherproofing. The downside to steel doors is that they can rust if not properly treated.

Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight material that can be used to create doors that have a painted wood look. They are more resistant to rust than steel doors and are built to be dent resistant. The disadvantage for aluminum doors is they can be costlier than other doors.

Fiberglass
For those wanted their door to resemble a wood door but is resistant to moisture and insects, fiberglass is the way to go. A big advantage of fiberglass garage doors is that they are very flexible which means they have less chance of warping with weather changes. However, they are not suggested for colder climates has they tend to break down when temperatures drop below freezing.

Plastic
Probably the least used material for doors is plastic although they are gaining in popularity. The fact that it is such a light weight material means it will put way less stress on the garage door opener. They are also won’t rust or rot which can happen to steel or wood doors. The plastic used is high-density much like truck bed liners and they carry the longest warranties in the market.

Besides the style and look of your garage door, you should also consider safety, durability, and strength before buying a new garage door. Where you live also should be a factor as weather can effect materials differently. We strongly suggest consulting with professional before deciding on which door material to use.