The Differences Between Materials Used to Make Garage Doors

The different materials used for fabricating garage doors each come with their own benefits and drawbacks.

Steel, for example is affordable, durable, weathers well, stands up to abuse and can be finished in a variety of ways and provides a wide choice of styles, but it is a poor choice for insulation when compared to something like wood.

The benefits of steel when used for a garage door are dependent on the gauge, so all steel is not created equal and buying a steel garage door does not ensure quality just because it is made of steel. Thinner gauge steel cannot stand up to the punishment that garage door may face, also it cannot offer the resistance to an intruder that would be found in a thicker gauge.

Steel garage doors may come as a single skin or as two sheets within which insulation may be sandwiched. The insulation is to help the house hold heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Roller garage doors are usually constructed from lengths of steel connected to form a curtain and may also be insulated.

The Pros And Cons Of Aluminium Garage Doors

Aluminium comes with the same problems as thinner gauge steel and many of the same benefits. It is a light enough metal that it is easy for the homeowner to install an aluminium garage door on their own should they choose to do so, and it does not rust. The weight also makes it a popular material for fabricating roller garage doors, though other types, like roller shutters  can also be made with it. Aluminium can also be finished in any colour that the homeowner desires. Unfortunately, it can show wear if subjected to a punishing environment. Like steel, it is a poor material for insulation.

Fibreglass And Wooden Garage Doors

Fibreglass and wood occupy very small segments of the market as both have issues that make them unappealing to most people. One issue is price. Wood is expensive, not to obtain necessarily, but to maintain. Wooden garage doors are, like most garage doors, constantly exposed to the elements and will need regular upkeep by a homeowner. Due to the fragility of wood they are not suitable to being used as sectional garage door`s, therefore the homeowner is limited in the type of opening mechanism they can use (usually up and over).

Fibreglass is lightweight and resistant to salt air, both of which are good things. The weight makes it suitable for being used as a part of an electric garage door and the resistance to salt air is especially useful in houses that are located on a beach. However, fibreglass does not insulate a house very well, and it does not hold up well in cold weather. It also tends to discolour over time.