New Garage Door Styles

5 Best Garage Door Materials

Homeowners have lots of creative freedom when it comes to the exterior of the home. Garage doors are usually thought of as storage and security features, with colors and materials built to blend in. Recently, garage doors have made bolder statements, with the purpose of styling the home and adding curb appeal. Stunning garage door materials highlight the uniqueness of the door. Colors, which traditionally were more neutral, are now more adventurous, with options like black and gray. Designing your garage door is exciting because you get to fully customize your new door! We’ll help you every step of the way; our team is knowledgeable on all the best garage door materials and can recommend our favorite products. 

Before choosing your garage door material, you should consider some extraneous factors. You will want to think about the following: 

  • The area you live
  • Average weather conditions
  • Your house style and colors
  • How much maintenance you’re willing to carry out
  • How often your garage door will be in use
  • Your budget

Garage door material plays a big role in the style of your new door and how durable it will be. We can help you find the best garage door material that will fit the look you’re going for, your budget, and your location.

Steel Garage Doors

Steel is one of the most popular materials for residential garage doors. It’s well-loved because it’s a durable material that’s also affordable. Steel is also available for customization; you can choose features like your color, design, and insulation. We always recommend insulating your garage door because it helps with noise reduction and temperature control. 

Pros: 

  • Affordable
  • Low Maintenance 
  • Customizable 
  • Durable

Cons: 

  • Susceptible to rust and corrosion
  • No natural insulation

Aluminum Garage Doors

Aluminum shares many characteristics with steel, with many customizable finishes and textures. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper than steel, but more susceptible to dents and scratches. Aluminum is a great material to pair with glass doors, as it composes a strong frame. This type of aluminum can be made with premium durability to help protect the glass. 

Pros: 

  • Rust resistant
  • Lightweight
  • Customizable
  • Low maintenance

Cons: 

  • Less durable
  • Sensitive to heat
  • Easy to damage

Glass Garage Doors

Glass garage doors are gorgeous, no matter what type of home they’re attached to. They allow natural light to stream through the garage. They’re unique and eye-catching. You won’t have to sacrifice durability though. Pairing aluminum frames with glass helps to strengthen the door. Your glass finish can be colored and textured as well so that you can maintain your privacy. You can install glass garage doors in any location but should be careful if you’re in a coastal area. High salt levels can chip away at aluminum. To prevent this, you can clean your glass garage door every couple of months. 

Pros:

  • Resistant to rotting and mold
  • Filters natural light
  • Energy efficient
  • Low maintenance
  • Durable aluminum frames

Cons:

  • No natural insulation
  • Not as much privacy
  • Costly repairs

Professional Garage door Repair

Quality Affordable Garage Door Services

Wood Garage Doors

Wood garage doors are traditional, yet can still tie in contemporary styles. Wood doors come in a variety of finishes. Faux wood is a popular choice, which is steel with a wooden finish. It’s a great option because it still looks like wood, without the high price tag and heavy maintenance. Natural wood doors do require constant maintenance and refurbishment. They are susceptible to rotting and warping, especially with heavy rain. We discourage using wood as a garage door material in more humid climates. Wood is a great natural insulator, but steel doors are better at conserving energy. In North Carolina, we can recommend the best wood garage door materials for your home.

Pros: 

  • Beautiful, traditional look
  • Highly customizable
  • Natural insulation

Cons: 

  • Expensive
  • Requires heavy maintenance
  • Potential to warp and rot

Fiberglass Garage Doors

Fiberglass may be a less popular option but offers some great benefits. Fiberglass uses panels surrounded by aluminum frames. These can be painted in any color and are more durable than steel. They are better at resisting dents and scratches. Fiberglass is a lightweight material that can experience damage from weather and is not a natural insulator. Fiberglass is more resistant to salt corrosion, which makes it a great garage door material choice for those on the coast of North Carolina. Fiberglass is also one of the best garage door insulation materials.

Pros: 

  • Customizable 
  • Resistant to dents
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Resistant to salt corrosion 

Cons: 

  • Susceptible to weather damage
  • Poor insulator

Choose Your Garage Door Material

Now that you’re familiar with the best garage door materials out there, we can help you choose which one will fit your home! Our team at Army and Davids are friendly, professional, and ready to help. We can give you product recommendations and handle your new garage door installation. Give us a call or make an appointment online for a FREE quote today!