With so many different materials to choose from when fitting your new garage door, it’s best to consider what you envision the exterior and feel of your property to be like; reflecting your personal style and architectural tastes. When chosen appropriately, a garage door can really excel the curb appeal of your home, making it that much more attractive when it comes to selling. Further considerations also include what your garage is going to be used for.
The team at Garage Door Repair Man have pulled together our favourite garage door materials to help you decide which one is right for you and your home.
Steel
Steel is one of the most common garage door materials that you will find on the market. This is because not only is steel reasonably priced but it also has a number of properties that lend it to outside use such as its durability, low maintenance and aesthetic appeal. Steel can be manipulated to suit the style of your house including mimicking a wood pattern with a special coating or being painted any colour you wish! Steel garage doors are available in a number of styles, sizes and colours to suit every type of property, whether you own a modern contemporary property or a stunning period-authentic home.
When compared with its more natural wooden counterpart, steel is significantly lighter, stronger, more practical and easier to maintain. However, a few things to consider when compared with wood is that steel garage doors require fitted-insulation and are vulnerable to dents and corrosion. To maintain and extend the life of your steel garage door, we recommend cleaning it to remove any dirt and grime, at least twice a year.
Advantages Of Steel
- Requires very little maintenance.
- Extremely durable.
- Numerous styling options for every type of home; available in an array of colours, textures and finishes.
- Reasonably priced.
Disadvantages Of Steel
- Prone to becoming dented.
- Needs insulation installed to retain heat.
- Can become prone to rust and corrosion, especially if scratches and scrapes aren’t dealt with quickly.
Aluminium
Aluminium is a great option when looking for a lighter, lower-cost alternative to steel. Though it may be easier to dent in comparison to steel, Aluminium is far more resistant to corrosion.
In a similar fashion, Aluminum garage doors are also brilliant when it comes to aesthetic appeal, with various options to suit the style of your home, including wood texturing and long-lasting finishes.
Advantages Of Aluminium
- Lightweight material making it a great option for motor operated garage doors.
- Ability to weather the elements – will not corrode or warp in extreme conditions.
- Aluminium metal actually holds any colour you choose to paint very well, with little need for retouching.
- Available in a variety of colours, coatings and finishes.
Disadvantages Of Aluminium
- Usually this type of metal is limited to roller doors, which may not appeal to everyone’s tastes!
- Prone to becoming dented.
Wood
Wood is a more traditional option when it comes to choosing the material for your garage door. With its warm, inviting and natural aesthetic, this material is often associated with a more premium, high-quality feel, often increasing the curb-appeal and enhancing the architecture of your home. Wooden garage doors also come in a range of different styles, with some even being built with windows to maximise natural light.
Wood also boasts fantastic insulating properties which makes it great for energy conservation, however, it does require regular maintenance to keep up its appearance. We would recommend a routine check of bolts, sealing and treating as this material can be prone to warping, splitting and rotting; due to the natural movements in reaction to changes in temperature and moisture.
Advantages Of Wood
- Adds a unique, natural and rustic feel to your property.
- Strong and durable, extending the life of your garage door and keeping your belongings secure.
- A sustainable material option.
- Fantastic insulation properties.
- Numerous design and staining options.
Disadvantages Of Wood
- Regular maintenance is required otherwise the wood will fade, rot, warp, or chip.
- Manual operation is difficult due to heavyweight.
- Requires regular maintenance.
- Usually on the more expensive side.
Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP)
Commonly referred to as fibreglass, a combination of glass and plastic to create a robust composite, GRP garage doors are well known for their easy maintenance and their lightweight structure. Highly resistant to corrosion, rust, scratches and scrapes and available in a number of colours and textures, fiberglass provides an affordable and low-maintenance alternative to wood. GRP garage doors also have a semi-transparent nature to them, allowing more natural light into your garage space.
Advantages Of GRP
- Highly resistant to most harsh weather conditions.
- Will not rust, corrode, shrink, warp or rot.
- Allows light into your garage.
- A low maintenance material.
Disadvantages Of GRP
- If damaged, the entire garage door must be replaced.
- Would need insulation to be fitted.
- Susceptible to wind damage.
- Has a tendency to become cracked or yellow with age.
- Can result in an irritating noise if exposed to high winds.
PVC
PVC garage doors are stylish and offer a modern, contemporary feel to your property. One of the best things about PVC garage doors is that they are very easy to maintain, are highly resistant to scratches, scrapes and dents and are extraordinarily secure. If you’re someone who likes to change the appearance of your exterior often, you cannot paint or stain vinyl, so it’s best to choose a colour that will work well with your home for longer.
Advantages Of PVC
- Easy maintenance.
- Exceptionally secure.
- Pretty resistant to damage.
Disadvantages Of PVC
- Does offer natural insulation.
- Cannot be painted or stained.
How Can Garage Door Repair Man Help You?
At Garage Door Repair Man, we not only sell a range of premium garage doors but we also offer a repair service. We have a number of engineers that fit and service garage doors across the Midlands, from Derby and Leceister to Nottingham, and everything in between. So if you are looking to fit a brand new garage door, to replace your current one or are in need of a repair, we have the knowledge and expertise to help.
Contact us today by giving us a call on 0800 542 7978 or 07957 353 228 for an emergency repair. Looking for more practical advice on your garage door? Check out our other blog posts!
