When buying garage doors, the first consideration is which material to use. This article compares steel versus wood.
Ask anybody which type of garage doors are the best - steel or wood - and you'll get a different answer from each person you ask. The reason for this is that they both have their distinct advantages. It all depends on what you're looking for. To help you decide which type of garage doors are best for you,
here are the pros and cons of each.
The Best Value For Your Money
No matter where you buy or what kind of customization options you go for, steel is usually cheaper than wood. This is one of the reasons why it's so popular. You don't have to spend lots of money to get your new door made of this material, so it's considered a great bargain. Cheap wooden garage doors can be bought for a low price, but most people choose wood for its look, so they choose high quality wood, which costs more.
Looks Matter
Although there are some very nice looking designs in metal, wood is always going to win hands-down when it comes to looks. You just can't beat this material for giving the house a classy look, and that's one of its main selling points. Steel ones just don't compare, especially if your house has wooden trimmings around doors and windows.
Maintenance and Upkeep
While both have some maintenance issues, wooden ones definitely require more maintenance. You have to paint them periodically, which can be a pretty big job if you're not too handy around the house. You can stain or seal them to show off the natural wood grain, and this eliminates the need to paint, but there are still always maintenance issues. With metal ones, you don't really have to do any kind of maintenance at all.
Natural Insulation
Wooden types, however, offer the great benefit of giving you natural insulation in the cold weather. The material itself keeps the warmth in and the cold out. For steel, you can buy insulation and have it installed, but it comes with the price automatically when you choose wood. This can save you money on your heating bill and make sure it is warm enough to work in all year round.
Automatic Garage Doors
If you like your access to the garage to be automatic, you should go with steel. Wooden ones just don't work well with the automatic system because they're so heavy. If you want to open and close them with the touch of a button, you should definitely stick with steel.
Tough and Durable
Both types are very durable and can withstand the elements for years to come, but wooden ones have a slight advantage here. As long as you keep them well maintained, they will last a very long time. You won't need to worry about having them replaced and repairs are rarely an issue.
As a general guideline when buying garage doors, consider that most people choose wood for its wonderful look and steel for its convenience and low price. Ultimately it depends on what goes best with your house, and what suits your needs the best.
