How to Choose the Best Garage Door Material for Your Home

Choosing the right material for your new garage door is a matter of durability, energy efficiency, and curb appeal. Nowadays, you can choose from steel, wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and more – but not all of them are made equal.

In this post, we’ll discuss a quick comparison of these garage door materials to see which one suits your home best. Keep reading to learn which one Los Angeles locals prefer!

If you’re new to garage door materials, this quick comparison will help you assess which one might be the perfect option for your property:

1. Steel

Steel is a popular choice for many reasons: it’s durable, low-maintenance, affordable, and comes in a variety of colors. It’s also a versatile choice for many homeowners since it can be designed and customized easily.

However, the number one problem with steel doors is its potential for rusting. You may need frequent garage door repair with this material rather than vinyl or fiberglass.

2. Aluminum

If you still want the curb appeal of a steel garage door but with better rust resistance, your best bet is aluminum. This material is lightweight and perfect for large garage doors. Aside from that, it’s highly customizable and a top choice for humid or coastal areas since it’s corrosion-resistant.

However, aluminum is softer than other steel materials, which makes it prone to dents. It also costs more than typical steel garage doors.

3. Wood

A wooden garage door is a classic choice, thanks to its natural curb appeal. It’s also easy to customize and available in a wide range of designs, finishes, colors, and sizes. Also, wooden garage doors are easy to find and offer better insulation than steel or aluminum materials.

However, your main enemy here is warping and rotting. Wood doors require more upkeep and could be prone to Los Angeles garage door repair if not maintained well. It’s also heavier than steel doors, which means you may need an equally powerful opener to match this material.

4. Vinyl

If you’re looking for budget-friendly garage doors, vinyl garage doors would be a great choice. It’s also quite resistant to corrosion, dents, and rotting, which makes it a durable option for most homes.

However, vinyl materials are prone to fading after prolonged sunlight exposure. It can also become brittle over time due to natural wear and tear.

5. Fiberglass

If budget isn’t an issue, you should consider getting fiberglass garage doors. This material is probably one of the most durable against harsh weather conditions and dents. Also, fiberglass garage doors require less maintenance and are quite easier to clean than wood or steel.

However, like vinyl, the color of fiberglass materials will fade due to sun exposure. Also, design options are quite limited for this material, not to mention that it’s also costlier than the other options we discussed here.

6. Composite

Composite garage doors can be a combination of wood fibers, fiberglass, or PVC laminate, among others. It’s also reinforced with a steel base, giving it the look and feel of authentic wood but for a much lower price.

Aside from that, composite garage doors are more resistant to rotting than wood materials. However, it offers minimal customization and could be more expensive than actual wood.

Aside from the pros and cons we’ve discussed above, it will also help to keep the following things in mind when picking a garage door material:

• Insulation. Make sure you check the R-value of the garage door to see if it meets your home's insulation needs.

• Weight. You should also consider how the material’s weight will impact your current door opener if you already have one.

• Noise reduction. As with insulation, you may also want to consider how well the garage door material can block noises in and out of your house.

• Security. It’s wise to consider the security needs of your property, especially if you live in an area notorious for break-ins.

If you’re still unsure what garage door material to get, you can always reach out to a local garage door company. This way, you can ask a licensed door technician about the best options that match your home. Above all, they can even give you a free estimate to help you choose the best material.