Buying a new garage door is one way to improve the overall look of your property, especially if the one you have now is sagging, cracking or generally falling apart. Not only will a new garage door make your home look better, it will also provide safe and secure access to your home and make your home more energy efficient.

When purchasing a new garage door, there are many important decisions to make, including the type of garage door opener, the security features, the color, texture, design, and materials. Below is a comparison of the available materials to help you decide which type of garage door is best for your home.

Garage doors can be made from steel, aluminum, fiberglass and wood. While each material has its benefits, wood and steel doors are the most common ones chosen. Steel Garage Doors: A steel garage door will be much stronger than wood, fiberglass and aluminum doors, and will also be a better option to protect the security of your home. Most steel doors have durable coatings and are embossed with wood grain patterns, giving them the look of wood without the warping, cracking or associated maintenance. Because they are made of vinyl-coated, galvanized steel, steel garage doors won't rust or need to be repainted as often as a wooden door. In fact, most steel doors come with a warranty guaranteeing that the door won't rust for as long as you own your home.

One downside with steel doors is their tendency to dent. This kind of damage can be difficult to repair, and often requires a replacement door. However, this risk can be minimized by purchasing a premium door that is made with 24-guage steel and is a full two inches thick. These doors are not only more durable, they also provide better insulation and weather-stripping, and are generally much quieter than less expensive, lightweight doors.

Wood Garage Doors: Wood garage doors can be high-maintenance, since wood can warp or crack due to weather-related expansion and contraction. Most wood doors will require regular repainting and/or refinishing to maintain their beauty and durability. However, many homeowners think that the wooden door adds something to the look of their home, and believe that the extra work is worth their time. Roll-up wood doors are made with either a panel or flush construction. Panel doors are made by fitting several rectangular panels into a wood frame, with panels being made from a variety of different materials. Flush doors are made by fastening panels of plywood over a softwood frame. Most wooden garage doors will only come with a one-year warranty, with the exception of Cladwood. Cladwood is made from composite materials, like resin overlays or Masonite, and often come with a 20 year warranty.

Aluminum Garage Doors: An aluminum garage door is still a popular choice, primarily because it is so lightweight and inexpensive. These doors are also much less expensive than wood or steel doors. One drawback is that they are very easily dented, so they may not last quite as long as their more expensive counterparts.

Fiberglass Garage Doors: A fiberglass door is usually made with an aluminum frame, with lightweight fiberglass sections inserted into the frame. Many homeowners who live near a shoreline will opt for a fiberglass door, since they are extremely resistant to the corrosion that can come from salt-air climates or intense sunlight. However, if you live in a cooler climate, a fiberglass door may not be the best choice, since it is a poor insulator, and it can also break easily when exposed to colder temperatures.

About the Author

For more information on different styles and materials of garage doors, or for garage door openers, visit www.mesagaragedoors.com

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