When you are choosing a new garage door, there are many factors to consider, such as color and design. The most important factor that will determine how long your garage door will last is the material. Different materials can withstand different amounts of use and require different levels of maintenance, so it’s essential to take into account your typical garage door usage.
Two of the most popular garage door materials are wood and steel. Let’s see which material might be better for you with our wood vs steel garage door comparison!
Table of Contents:
- Pros and Cons of Wood Garage Doors
- What’s the Difference between Real Wood and Faux Wood Doors?
- Pros and Cons of Steel Garage Doors
- Available Wood and Steel Garage Doors in Long Island, NY
Pros and Cons of Wood Garage Doors
There are several benefits of wood garage doors as well as several cons to consider.
Pros of Wood Garage Doors
- Appearance: Wood doors provide a natural elegance for a timeless look of beauty and craftsmanship. A wood garage door can enhance the curb appeal of your home and make it more aesthetically pleasing overall.
- Long-lasting: Wood doors have a great amount of natural strength, and are often made with a sturdy hemlock frame and hardboard panels for overall durable construction. Small scratches and scuffs do not show up as much as they do on other materials due to the wood grain texture.
Cons of Wood Garage Doors
- Maintenance: Unlike steel garage doors, wood doors will need to be refinished or painted every few years. Wood doors are not recommended for hot, sunny and dry climates because they are more susceptible to sun damage.
- Insulation: Wood doors generally provide a lower level of insulation than steel doors.
- Price: Solid wood is a more expensive option than steel because it cannot be produced as quickly or easily.
What’s the Difference Between Real Wood and Faux Wood Doors?
Real wood and fake wood may look similar, but they have very different properties.
A real wood garage door is typically solid cedar or redwood, and a faux wood garage door has a steel core and a wood overlay. This means that a faux wood door is much lighter from the wood overlay and is typically less expensive than a real wood door.
A high-quality faux wood door can be indistinguishable from a real wood door, offering the same look and feel. The main differences are price, maintenance requirements and availability.
Garage doors made with real wood require more maintenance to protect it from the elements and pests. Real wood doors usually take longer to receive, as they are custom-made rather than pulled from a warehouse like faux wood doors.
Faux wood doors have the same appearance as real wood doors for a cheaper price, greater availability and less maintenance. As a result, many people consider them a worthwhile alternative.
Yet, there are several pros to real wood that you will not get from faux wood, including better durability and resale value. While a high-quality faux wood door will be hard to distinguish from real wood, this authentic appearance can vary based on quality, and some options may not be as convincing up close.
When choosing between faux and real wood, consider elements such as price, durability, maintenance requirements and long-term value.
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Pros and Cons of Steel Garage Doors
There are several benefits and disadvantages of steel garage doors to keep in mind as you make your decision:
Pros of Steel Garage Doors
- Insulation: Steel garage doors are well-insulated and available in a variety of insulation options. Premium steel doors with polyurethane or polystyrene insulation regulate temperature and make the doors easier and quieter to operate.
- Maintenance: Because steel doors are lighter than wood doors, they are typically easier to maintain and won’t warp or crack due to weather conditions. Corrosion-resistant coatings are also usually available.
- Price: Steel garage doors are less expensive than wood doors.
Cons of Steel Garage Doors
- Damage: Steel doors are more easily dented and damaged than wood doors. While small dents can be removed, larger dents can be difficult to repair. Thicker gauge steel doors can provide more resistance.
Wood and Steel Doors Available in Long Island, NY
At A Better Door Company, we have a wide variety of Clopay® wood, faux wood and steel garage door models available.
Our Classic Wood Collection offers solid wood door styles in handcrafted redwood, hemlock or cedar. They feature the classic raised, flush and recessed panel designs so you can choose what works best for your home. The beauty of the natural wood will instantly increase your home’s curb appeal.
For a distinctive wood look, our Reserve Wood Collection Limited Series Edition offers a handcrafted, insulated carriage house-style door. Strong, strikingly beautiful and energy-efficient, the carriage house style combines character and historical charm with convenient automatic operation. The collection features eight carriage house designs available in various wood species and top section/window panel designs that can be painted, stained or mixed and matched.
Our Reserve Wood Collection Semi-Custom Series offers more carriage house design options for a historical appearance and modern operation. This collection features six designs available in three wood species and several finish options. The top section/window panel options can be mixed and matched, stained or painted to complement your home’s architecture.
For steel options, our Modern Steel Collection offers modern beauty and simple upkeep. The perfect complement to mid-century modern and contemporary home styles, these doors come in a wide variety of options. Choose doors with or without grooves in multiple finishes including faux wood.
Browse Our Doors and Request an Estimate Today
At A Better Door Company, we can help you find the perfect Clopay® garage door option for your home. For over 30 years, we have served residents of Suffolk and Nassau counties with top-notch garage door sales, installation and repairs.
Fill out our online form to request an estimate, and we will reach out to you as soon as possible. You can also call us today at (631) 732-9654 or visit us at our showroom located at 108 Frowin Rd. Ste. 4 Center Moriches, NY 11934.