The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
According to a Remodeling Magazine report, replacing the garage door provides one of the best returns on investment when remodeling or renovating a house. A 2016 report indicated that replacing the garage door has a staggering 91.5 percent return on investment.
Without a doubt, the high return on investment makes replacing garage doors an even more enticing proposition. If you are considering replacing your outdated garage doors, you’d be delighted to know you have several excellent options available at your disposal.
Garage Door Materials: Which One is Best for You?
There are four primary types of garage doors: steel, wood, aluminum, and fiberglass. But how do you figure out which one is best for you? The following factors should help narrow down your options:
Style preference
Maintenance preference
The longevity of the garage door
Insulation options that are required
How your choice of garage door matches the house’s exterior architecture
Once you have figured out the crucial factors to consider, it’s time to examine your options more closely.
When it comes to garage doors, steel is considered one of the most popular options. Apart from it being durable (it does not crack, warp, or delaminate), steel garage doors are also less prone to rusting. It also requires less maintenance. Moreover, steel garage doors provide exceptional design flexibility.
If you like the look and feel of wood but don’t want to deal with the upkeep it requires, you can always go for a faux wood overlay on your steel door. If insulation is a priority for you, steel is also a topnotch option since you have two insulation options: polyurethane and polystyrene.
Wood Garage Doors
If you want to go for an authentic and conventional look, you can never go wrong with wood. You also have many options when it comes to wood as it comes in various colors and finishes. Cedar is one of the most popular wood options.
Another wood material that’s preferred by many is mahogany. While mahogany can be a bit expensive, its warm and sophisticated look makes it worth the investment. However, when choosing wood, it is also important to remember that it will require more attention and maintenance.
For starters, changes in the climate can make wood expand and contract, so you most likely have to paint or stain it now and then. While a bit demanding in terms of maintenance, the authentic and earthly feel it delivers makes all the effort worthwhile.
Aluminum Garage Doors
If a modern and sophisticated look is what you are trying to achieve, an aluminum garage door is one of your best options. It is also considered the most suitable addition for any contemporary home. Full view aluminum doors will not make a bold statement, it can also make your home look even more trendy.
The aluminum used on garage doors can also be any color that’s to your liking. You also have various glazing options available at your disposal. Full view aluminum garage doors are also amazingly durable, not to mention lightweight. You have to be very careful with aluminum, though, as it is fragile and can easily dent.
Fiberglass Garage Doors
Last but not least, fiberglass is another garage door material you can look into. Just like steel garage doors, fiberglass doors can also come in faux wood designs. That said, it is one of the best options available for those who want the rustic look of wood.
What makes fiberglass one of the best options is they are very durable and are rarely affected by environmental stress. Low maintenance and lightweight, fiberglass is also safe from rust. However, one of its most significant downsides is it does not have very robust insulating properties.
If you are looking to sell your house, investing in a fiberglass garage door can be a smart option as it can dramatically improve your home’s overall look. After all, the garage door is not considered one of the home’s focal points for nothing. Suffice it to say, it would be easier to impress would-be buyers if you have an attractive garage door.
Conclusion
While finding the best garage door can seem like a complicated process at first glance, once you can determine the factors to look for and the options available at your disposal, figuring out the best choice should come easy.
