Learning All About Barn-Style Garage Doors

Posted on: 3 March 2015

Are you looking for a new garage door? If so, you'll have a lot of options to choose from. Style is a big factor when choosing a garage door, as is budget. One of the biggest factors, though, is the door's material. The material influences everything from appearance to cost to durability. Garage doors usually come in three different materials: wood, steel, and aluminum. Here are the biggest differences between the three:

Wood. A wooden garage door can have a unique and charming appearance that is hard replicate with steel or aluminum. Depending on the type, wood can also be inexpensive. This is especially true if the door is made of lightweight wood and insulation that is only covered with an outer layer of hardboard skin. If the door is made entirely of heavyweight lumber, then it can be more costly.

The downside to a wooden door is that they need frequent repainting and refinishing. If you don't refinish your door regularly, it could warp because of the elements. Also, garage door manufacturers often only offer short-term warranties on wooden garage doors. Again, this is because of how vulnerable wooden doors are to the elements.

Steel. Many people choose steel because it is durable and relatively inexpensive. You can get a steel garage door in a variety of colors and styles, so it can fit in with any aesthetic. Many steel doors come with long-term warranties and some are even covered for life. While a steel door may not have the natural look of a wooden door, it will generally require less maintenance.

Steels doors aren't completely maintenance-free, though. Exposed steel can rust, so it's important that you quickly address any scratches. Also, steel can dent easily, so it may not be a good choice if your kids play basketball in the driveway. You can get a fiberglass coat that reduces scratching and dents. However, you can expect to pay more for steel doors that have that kind of protection.

Aluminum. It used to be that nearly all garage doors were made from aluminum. It's a lightweight, durable material that is also inexpensive. Steel has largely overtaken aluminum as the inexpensive garage door of choice. However, aluminum doors are still available. Aluminum is often used for extra-wide doors because it's lightweight. Since the door is on a wide frame, the lightweight aluminum reduces the odds of the door sagging or the frame getting pulled out of position.

You can also find inexpensive doors where the frame is made of aluminum, but the panels are made of composite materials. These doors may not be very durable, but they're a good option if you're on a tight budget.

Visit an overhead door showroom (such as one from Calgary Overhead Doors LTD) in your area. They can answer your questions and offer recommendations.